Leading geneticist Steve Jones says human evolution is over
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Human evolution is grinding to a halt because of a shortage of older fathers in the West, according to a leading genetics expert. Fathers over the age of 35 are more likely to pass on mutations, according to Professor Steve Jones, of University College London. –
The London Times reports Speaking today at a UCL lecture entitled “Human evolution is over” Professor
Jones will argue that there were three components to evolution – natural
selection, mutation and random change. “Quite unexpectedly, we have dropped
the human mutation rate because of a change in reproductive patterns,”
Professor Jones told The Times.
“Human social change often changes our genetic future,” he said, citing
marriage patterns and contraception as examples. Although chemicals and
radioactive pollution could alter genetics, one of the most important
mutation triggers is advanced age in men.