Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity (An Editions Odile Jacob Book)

Increasingly absorbed in recent years by advances in our understanding of the origin of life, evolutionary history, and the advent of humankind, eminent biologist Christian de Duve of late has also pondered deeply the future of life on this planet. He speaks to readers with or without a scientific background, offering new perspectives on the threat posed by humanitys immense biological success and on the resources human beings have for altering their current destructive path. Focusing on the process of natural selection, de Duve explores the inordinate and now dangerous rise of humankind. His explanation for this self-defeating success lies in the process of natural selection, which favors traits that are immediately useful, regardless of later consequences. Thus, the human genome determines such properties as tribal and group cohesion and collaboration and often fierce and irrational competition with and hostility toward other groups attributes that were once useful but now often ruinously dysfunctional. Christian de Duve suggests that these traits, imprinted into human nature by natural selection, may have been recognized by the writers of Genesis, thus inspiring the myth of original sin. Is there redemption for genetic original sin? In a brilliant and original conclusion, the author argues that, unique in the living world, humankind is endowed with the ability to deliberately oppose natural selection. Human beings have the capacity to devise measures that, while contrary to local or personal interests, can bring forth a safer world. Increasingly Absorbed In Recent Years By Advances In Our Understanding Of The Origin Of Life, Evolutionary History, And The Advent Of Human Kind, Eminent Biologist Christian De Duve Has Pondered The Future Of Life On This Planet. Focusing On The Process Of Natural Selection, De Duve Explores The Inordinate And Now Dangerous Rise Of Humankind.--[book Jacket] Foreword / By Edward O. Wilson -- Pt. I. The History Of Life On Earth. The Unity Of Life -- The Origin Of Life -- The Evolution Of Life -- Pt. Ii. The Mechanisms Of Life. Metabolism -- Reproduction -- Development -- Natural Selection -- Other Evolutionary Mechanisms -- Pt. Iii. The Human Adventure. The Emergence Of Humans -- Making The Human Brain -- Shaping Our Genes -- The Cost Of Success -- Original Sin -- Pt. Iv. The Challenges Of The Future. Option 1 : Do Nothing -- Option 2 : Improve Our Genes -- Option 3 : Rewire The Brain -- Option 4 : Call On Religions -- Option 5 : Protect The Environment -- Option 6 : Give Women A Chance -- Option 7 : Control Population -- Epilogue. Christian De Duve With Neil Patterson ; Foreword By Edward O. Wilson. Published In Association With Éditions Odile Jacob. Includes Index. Mêlant science et méditation, l'auteur, prix Nobel de médecine et spécialiste de la vie cellulaire, fait le récit de l'évolution des formes de vie actuelles à partir d'un ancêtre commun. Il présente ensuite des scénarios d'évolution future et explique pourquoi ils mènent tous à la disparition de la vie sur Terre à l'exception d'un seul, celui dans lequel les femmes prendraient le pouvoir Human beings have the capacity to devise measures that, while contrary to local or personal interests, can bring forth a safer world. Focusing on the process of natural selection, this title argues that, unique in the living world, humankind is endowed with the ability to deliberately oppose natural selection.