In a paper published in BioScience, Timothy M. Waring, an associate professor of economics and sustainability, and Zachary T. Wood, a researcher in ecology and environmental sciences, argue that culture is overtaking genetics as the main force shaping human evolution.
On reviewing the evidence, we find that culture solves problems much more rapidly than genetic evolution.
Culture now preempts genetic adaptation “Cultural evolution eats genetic evolution for breakfast,” said Wood, “it’s not even close.”
These cultural solutions, researchers argue, reduce the role of genetic adaptation and increase our reliance on cultural systems such as hospitals, schools and governments.
Their goal is to use their understanding of deep patterns in human evolution to foster positive social change.
Scientists at the University of Maine are speculating that humans might be going through a significant evolutionary transition that is influenced by culture rather than genes.
Timothy M. Waring, an associate professor of sustainability and economics, and Zachary T. described their findings in a paper published in BioScience. The primary factor influencing human evolution, according to ecology and environmental sciences researcher Wood, is culture rather than genetics.
“Human evolution appears to be shifting gears,” Waring stated. “We are passing on adaptive cultural practices when we acquire beneficial abilities, organizations, or technologies from one another. After analyzing the data, we conclude that culture solves issues far more quickly than genetic evolution. This implies that we are living through a significant evolutionary shift as a species. “.”.
Unlike genes, cultural practices—from farming techniques to legal codes—spread and adapt much more quickly, enabling human groups to solve new problems and adapt to new environments in ways that biology alone could never match. The research team claims that this long-term evolutionary shift is accelerating, has deep historical roots, and could define our species for millennia to come.
Adaptation to genetics is now overcome by culture.
According to Wood, “genetic evolution is not even close to being eaten for breakfast by cultural evolution.”. “,”.
According to Waring and Wood, cultural systems in the modern world adapt so quickly that they frequently “preempt” genetic adaptation. For instance, eyeglasses and surgery fix vision issues that were previously left to natural selection by genes.
Once-lethal or sterile situations can now be survived and reproduced thanks to medical advancements like fertility treatments and cesarean sections. Researchers contend that by reducing the importance of genetic adaptation, these cultural solutions increase our dependence on cultural institutions like governments, hospitals, and schools.
“What is more important for your personal life outcomes—your country of residence, your genes, or both?” Waring asked. Nowadays, the cultural systems that surround you—your community, your country, and your technologies—have a greater influence on your well-being than your individual biology. Furthermore, because culture produces adaptive solutions more quickly, its significance tends to increase over time. “..”.
In the long run, this dynamic may mean that human reproduction and survival rely more on the well-being of societies and their cultural infrastructure than on individual genetic characteristics.
However, there is a catch to this shift. Culture tends to produce group-based solutions because it is essentially a shared phenomenon.
Culture belongs to the group.
Waring and Wood contend that group-level cultural adaptation has shaped human societies for millennia, from the introduction of agriculture to the emergence of contemporary states, using data from anthropology, biology, and history. Instead of individual intelligence or genetic change, they point out that group-level cultural systems like scientific medicine, hospitals, sanitation infrastructure, and educational systems are responsible for improvements in health, longevity, and survival today.
As humans evolve to depend on cultural adaptation, the researchers contend that we are also evolving to become more dependent on and oriented toward groups, indicating a shift in the definition of what it means to be human.
a more profound change.
Life occasionally goes through changes throughout its evolutionary history that alter what it means to be an individual. When single cells developed into multicellular organisms and social insects became incredibly cooperative colonies, this occurred. These changes in individuality alter the structure, adaptation, and reproduction of life. The idea that humans are undergoing such a transition has been questioned by biologists.
According to Waring and Wood, however, our move toward cultural adaptation also entails a fundamental restructuring of human individuality—in the direction of the group—because culture is inherently shared.
“Groups that are culturally organized are more cohesive and productive. Furthermore, Waring noted that larger, more capable groups adjust through cultural change more quickly. The data indicates that the system is accelerating and is mutually reinforcing. “.”.
Genetic engineering, for instance, is a way to control genetic material culturally, but it necessitates a big, intricate society. In the distant future, our descendants might not be genetically evolving individuals but rather societal “superorganisms” that evolve primarily through cultural change if the predicted transition is ever completed.
upcoming studies.
A system for measuring the rate of transition is presented by the researchers, who also stress that their theory can be tested. In addition, the group is creating computer and mathematical models of the procedure and intends to start a long-term data collection project soon. However, they advise against viewing cultural evolution as inevitable or a sign of progress.
Wood stated, “We are not implying that certain societies, such as those with greater wealth or superior technology, are ethically ‘better’ than others.”. Both positive solutions and negative results can be produced by evolution. This, we think, may help our entire species stay away from the most cruel parts. “,”.
The study is a component of Waring and his colleagues’ expanding research at the University of Maine’s Applied Cultural Evolution Laboratory. To promote constructive social change, they hope to apply their knowledge of profound patterns in human evolution.
However, the new study poses important questions about the future of humanity. Waring stated, “If cultural inheritance persists, our individual fates and the future of our species may increasingly depend on the strength and adaptability of our societies.”. If that’s the case, the next phase of human evolution might be etched in our collective narratives, institutions, and systems rather than in our DNA.
