10萬年內 富人進化變高變聰明

Human species 'may split in two'

Humanity may split into an elite and an underclass, says Dr Curry Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said. Evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics expects a genetic upper class and a dim-witted underclass to emerge. The human race would peak in the year 3000, he said - before a decline due to dependence on technology. People would become choosier about their sexual partners, causing humanity to divide into sub-species, he added. The descendants of the genetic upper class would be tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and a far cry from the "underclass" humans who would have evolved into dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures. Race 'ironed out' But in the nearer future, humans will evolve in 1,000 years into giants between 6ft and 7ft tall, he predicts, while life-spans will have extended to 120 years, Dr Curry claims. Physical appearance, driven by indicators of health, youth and fertility, will improve, he says, while men will exhibit symmetrical facial features, look athletic, and have squarer jaws, deeper voices and bigger penises. Women, on the other hand, will develop lighter, smooth, hairless skin, large clear eyes, pert breasts, glossy hair, and even features, he adds. Racial differences will be ironed out by interbreeding, producing a uniform race of coffee-coloured people. However, Dr Curry warns, in 10,000 years time humans may have paid a genetic price for relying on technology. Spoiled by gadgets designed to meet their every need, they could come to resemble domesticated animals. Receding chins Social skills, such as communicating and interacting with others, could be lost, along with emotions such as love, sympathy, trust and respect. People would become less able to care for others, or perform in teams. Physically, they would start to appear more juvenile. Chins would recede, as a result of having to chew less on processed food. There could also be health problems caused by reliance on medicine, resulting in weak immune systems. Preventing deaths would also help to preserve the genetic defects that cause cancer. Further into the future, sexual selection - being choosy about one's partner - was likely to create more and more genetic inequality, said Dr Curry. The logical outcome would be two sub-species, "gracile" and "robust" humans similar to the Eloi and Morlocks foretold by HG Wells in his 1895 novel The Time Machine. "While science and technology have the potential to create an ideal habitat for humanity over the next millennium, there is a possibility of a monumental genetic hangover over the subsequent millennia due to an over-reliance on technology reducing our natural capacity to resist disease, or our evolved ability to get along with each other, said Dr Curry. He carried out the report for men's satellite TV channel Bravo. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6057734.stm

10萬年內 富人進化變高變聰明

【聯合報／編譯田思怡／報導】 2006.10.18 03:33 am

倫敦泰晤士報報導，倫敦政經學院的科學家指出，在十萬年內，貧富差距可能使人類演化為兩種次種。 倫敦政經學院副研究員柯瑞說，富人偏好找有錢、教育程度高和營養好的對象生育子女，最終使他們成為在基因上與眾不同的一群。 柯瑞推斷，這群得天獨厚的人可能在數萬年後，進化為「修長」的人類次種，瘦高、勻稱、聰明和富創造力。其餘的人較矮壯、不勻稱和較不聰明。 柯瑞的預言和威爾斯科幻小說「時光機器」中的情節相互呼應。威爾斯想像身體虛弱、養尊處優的「艾洛伊族」住在一個被毀滅的城市，忐忑不安地和長得像猩猩、在地底下做苦力的「莫洛克族」共存，後者正是今日受壓迫勞工的後代。 柯瑞說，今天的種族觀念將在西元三○○○年消失，不同膚色的人種混血的結果，讓所有人都變成「咖啡膚色」。隨著營養和醫藥進步，人類普遍能長到一百八十五公分，活到一百廿歲。基因改良、美容整形和選對象的偏好促進人類進化，意味未來人類會比現在漂亮。 除了變漂亮，人類看來和現在差不多，只有一個例外。柯瑞說，人愈來愈倚賴加工食物，咀嚼的重要性降低，人類上下額可能較不發達，下巴變短。距今一萬年後， 這些改變綜合起來可能使人的臉看起來較年輕，這種「幼期性熟（或稱幼體化）」效應可在家中養的動物身上看到：狗就長得像年幼的野狼。 另外，柯瑞認為，過度仰賴科技設備，可能讓人類逐漸失去溝通互動的社交能力，戀愛、同情、信任和尊重等情緒也會愈來愈淡薄。人們將比較不會關愛他人，也比較難以從事團隊合作。醫藥的進步可望讓人類克服癌症等基因相關疾病。 【2006/10/18 聯合報】