Arizona outlaws abortions based on race and sex

[DGuller]

Agreed.  Birth control would ideally be default circumstance, with the partners having to both take action to allow contraception to be possible.  I, like you, am not convinced this is scientifically impossible, but agree that it is politically impossible in the US, due to the fact that sex, not pregnancy/abortion, is the issue in contention.

I would imagine that perfect control over reproductive functions is quite a negative evolutionary trait.  I would guess that quite a lot of population growth comes from unplanned (but not necessarily unwanted) pregnancies.

[Maximus]

I'd guess physical evolution of humans is pretty much nonexistent at this point anyway.

[DGuller]

I'd guess physical evolution of humans is pretty much nonexistent at this point anyway.

How can it be non-existant?  If anything, humans now probably evolve at the fastest ever rate, just because our environment is changing at the fastest ever rate.

[Neil]

A hundred years from now when we're all born with inheritable neural implants made from nanites women will be able to control their reproductive cycle with conscious thought.

[grumbler]

I'd guess physical evolution of humans is pretty much nonexistent at this point anyway.

How can it be non-existant?  If anything, humans now probably evolve at the fastest ever rate, just because our environment is changing at the fastest ever rate.

Actually, our environment changes not at all, for the vast majority of the population.  Clothing, fire, air conditioning, and the like have obviated the need to adapt to the physical environment, so birth control probably isn't an evolutionary disadvantage given the lack of evolution.

[Tonitrus]

A hundred years from now when we're all born with inheritable neural implants made from nanites women will be able to control their reproductive cycle with conscious thought.

Better be careful what you're thinking about ladies, or you might inadvertently thought-abort your baby!

[PDH]

Grumbler wins for using "obviate"

[jimmy olsen]

Human evolution has dramatically accelerated in the last 10,000 years.

http://johnhawks.net/weblog/topics/evolution/selection/jones-evolution-stopping-2008.html

http://johnhawks.net/weblog/topics/evolution/selection/acceleration/accel_story_2007.html

[Eddie Teach]

Actually, our environment changes not at all, for the vast majority of the population.  Clothing, fire, air conditioning, and the like have obviated the need to adapt to the physical environment, so birth control probably isn't an evolutionary disadvantage given the lack of evolution.

We've had extensive air conditioning for what, 50 or 60 years? Way too early to be discussing AC in this context.

Changes to human society & technology are happening at a faster rate now than ever before. These can affect the gene pool in various ways. Still, one would hardly expect to be able to see evolutionary change over a single lifetime. That doesn't mean it's stopped.

[jimmy olsen]

AC has allowed a significant population migration from the northern US to the south. Population transfers cause different populations to breed together that didn't before. This causes a change the likelyhood of certain genes being passed on. This is evolution.

[DGuller]

Actually, our environment changes not at all, for the vast majority of the population.  Clothing, fire, air conditioning, and the like have obviated the need to adapt to the physical environment, so birth control probably isn't an evolutionary disadvantage given the lack of evolution.

The removal of need to adapt to physical environment is precisely the driver for evolution.  In an effect it is a change in environment as far as human are concerned.  Once you can cope with same facet of physical environment with the help of technology, you don't have to be naturally adept at coping with it.  Humans would still have fur if they didn't invent clothing.

[Ed Anger]

Humans would still have fur if they didn't invent clothing.

Speaking of fur, look up 'Demi Moore Naked' in google with safe search off. 

[DGuller]

Changes to human society & technology are happening at a faster rate now than ever before. These can affect the gene pool in various ways. Still, one would hardly expect to be able to see evolutionary change over a single lifetime. That doesn't mean it's stopped.

Of course not.  Regardless of how quickly the gene frequency changes, the pace of change is still far, far too slow for someone to reliably observe during one's lifetime.  That doesn't mean that there is no change happening, or that those slow rates of change aren't variable.

[DGuller]

Humans would still have fur if they didn't invent clothing.

Speaking of fur, look up 'Demi Moore Naked' in google with safe search off. 

I see a bad boob job.  Am I supposed to see anything else? 

[Ed Anger]

Humans would still have fur if they didn't invent clothing.

Speaking of fur, look up 'Demi Moore Naked' in google with safe search off. 

I see a bad boob job.  Am I supposed to see anything else? 

There is one where she has a massive fur burger.

I can't give the link now, there are kids roaming around.