“Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.”
Dobhzhansky puts it so eloquently. Indeed, medicine, being founded in biology, can advance in great lengths if approached through the lens of evolution. Evolutionary biology elucidates how pathogenic virulence evolves, explains the relationship between pathogens and hosts, and answers questions as to why the human body is engineered in a certain way (flawed) that makes it vulnerable to diseases and disorders.
Discomforting conditions such as cough, pain, nausea and vomiting, and even reduced iron levels are adaptations that enable our bodies to fight off pathogens and are protective responses against infection. Chronic conditions such as diabetes can be explained as resulting from an evolutionary mismatch between our current diet and our early ancestors' needs. Our immune system provides ample opportunities for pathogens to evolve counter-defenses. Lastly, even behavioral choices such as safe sex or improved sanitation can alter a pathogen’s virulence. Such considerations are very important in the practice of medicine and even in public health policy because they inform us about better ways to approach disease and illness and tackle prevailing public health concerns. For example, If doctors and health care professionals understand the evolutionary theory behind virulence, they would best serve by advocating prevention as opposed to emphasizing treatment. Safe sex and using clean needles slow HIV transmission rates, and thus perpetuate low virulence and allow for the long term survival of hosts, saving more individuals from HIV infection.
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Very interesting comments about the effect we have on the virulence on viruses that we contract. I think it was also important to mention how humans have evolved mechanisms that actually hurt them given new lifestyles. We already have a prevention method for the majority of diabetics.
ReplyDeleteIts also about the evolutionary arms race, lock and key example when it comes to medications like antibiotics to get rid of infection. Ultimately they will mutate to be resistant and we will need to change the lock by coming up with a new antibiotic. Good blog, I always enjoy reading your blogs.
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