Evolutionary biology has provided us with a much better understanding of the development of organisms and how they have evolved. Among these organisms are bacteria of which we know the structure, adaptations, and limits of several of them. We also have a better understanding of the structural evolution of the human body and how we evolved to walk upright (especially with the new discovery of Ardi). Thus it seems logical that an evolutionary perspective in modern medicine would have a positive impact.
If doctors have a better understanding of how certain bacteria evolved and what are their limitations, they can better treat diseases caused by such organism. Furthermore, if doctors have an evolutionary perspective with regard to the development and evolution of the human body, they can perhaps find better treatments for people with physical disabilities. Just as mechanics have to learn the components of an engine and how it transitioned from a small engine with a few cylinders to a large engine with several cylinders, doctors need to also know the components of the body and how specific structures developed and evolved in order to be able to provide care to it.
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How did the evolution of walking upright really help us? I mean it told us there we were closely related to apes but other than that it didn't really give up and medical help. I do believe that finding out the evolution of bacteria could help with finding more vaccine.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that knowing more and more about the evolution of pathogens and bacteria could help us find better ways to treat people, especially if we come across something we have never seen before.
ReplyDeleteTo Carlos:
ReplyDeleteI agree walking upright (bipedalism) did indeed help humans and our earlier predessors (hominids) be able to utilize the new ecological niche's that the harsh environment that they had to endear. As far as walking upright I personally do not believe that it is relevant to whether a doctor knows about human evolution to be able to treat their patients. But rather, a more recent evolutionary timetable of a couple of hundred years of the patient's family history may help to treat a patient with a disease that was inherited or possibly prevent the disease in the first place.