http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/ Sat, 18 May 2013 12:05:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/#comment-362 Dan Dare Thu, 02 Mar 2006 02:22:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/21/selection-at-work/#comment-362 You are right Greg, that could happen. But I was thinking that anything like that could be defeated by further advances in technology. The reason we want contraception today is because our sex drive is stronger than our nurturing instinct. At least for many if not most people. What if it was the other way around. If no-one cared much about sex, they just wanted kids. Then they wouldn't use contraceptives even if they were available. Improving the technology probably wouldn't even be attempted. So a mutation that had that effect would be unstoppable even in an age of available contraception. You are right Greg, that could happen. But I was thinking that anything like that could be defeated by further advances in technology.
The reason we want contraception today is because our sex drive is stronger than our nurturing instinct. At least for many if not most people.
What if it was the other way around. If no-one cared much about sex, they just wanted kids. Then they wouldn’t use contraceptives even if they were available. Improving the technology probably wouldn’t even be attempted.
So a mutation that had that effect would be unstoppable even in an age of available contraception.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/#comment-361 greg Thu, 02 Mar 2006 01:08:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/21/selection-at-work/#comment-361 Re Dan's comments and contra Boronx: Perhaps seminal fluid that degrades latex? Uterine walls unaffected by estrogen? Re Dan’s comments and contra Boronx:
Perhaps seminal fluid that degrades latex?
Uterine walls unaffected by estrogen?

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/#comment-360 Dan Dare Wed, 01 Mar 2006 19:30:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/21/selection-at-work/#comment-360 Sorry Pithlord, didn't see your comment. Good question. Maybe by then we will have space colonization or something. Sorry Pithlord, didn’t see your comment.
Good question.
Maybe by then we will have space colonization or something.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/#comment-359 razib Thu, 23 Feb 2006 01:59:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/21/selection-at-work/#comment-359 boronx, probably. boronx, probably.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/#comment-358 Boronx Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:46:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/21/selection-at-work/#comment-358 My firm belief is that contraception has caused the stupid, lazy, forgetful or superstitious to increase in fitness relative to everyone else My firm belief is that contraception has caused the stupid, lazy, forgetful or superstitious to increase in fitness relative to everyone else

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/#comment-357 Pithlord Wed, 22 Feb 2006 21:58:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/21/selection-at-work/#comment-357 Dan, Does that mean Malthus will end up being right after all? Dan,
Does that mean Malthus will end up being right after all?

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/selection-at-work/#comment-356 Dan Dare Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:45:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2006/02/21/selection-at-work/#comment-356 Yes, I have always thought so too. If you introduce a new challenge like chemical contraception, initially it devastates the population. But some individuals are resistant to it. Perhaps because of religious or philosophical reasons, perhaps because they just love kids and long for a big family. Anyway, even though the contraceptives are there, they chose not to use them. End result: If any of that choice is heritable then these trends will be accentuated in the next generation. In time resistance of one form or another to contraception will emerge. There is no difference here between contraception and the effects of a new insecticide or antibiotic. In time you will get resistance. Yes, I have always thought so too.
If you introduce a new challenge like chemical contraception, initially it devastates the population. But some individuals are resistant to it. Perhaps because of religious or philosophical reasons, perhaps because they just love kids and long for a big family. Anyway, even though the contraceptives are there, they chose not to use them.
End result: If any of that choice is heritable then these trends will be accentuated in the next generation. In time resistance of one form or another to contraception will emerge.
There is no difference here between contraception and the effects of a new insecticide or antibiotic. In time you will get resistance.

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