Darwinian medicine: an evolutionary perspective on health and disease

Under the name of Darwinian medicine evolutionary theory has made a strong impact on modern medical research and practice. This paper focuses on phenomena such as evolved host defences, evolution of virulence, genetic conflicts with other organisms, adaptations to novel environments and tradeoffs and constraints in biological systems

The Race Concept in Six Regions: Variation Without Consensus

Race, once the central concept in physical anthropology worldwide, now varies in the degree of support it receives in different regions. We present the currently available information on the status of the concept in the United States, the Spanish language areas, Poland, Europe, Russia, and China. Rejection of race ranges from high to low with the highest rejection occurring among anthropologists in the United States (and Canada). Rejection of race is moderate in Europe, sizeable in Poland and Cuba, and lowest in Russia and China. A discussion on the scientific and contextual reasons influencing these variations is presented. The tension between scientific evidence and social influences varies from region to region. The methods used in the studies reported here included questionnaires and content analysis. Response rates to questionnaires were often around 50 percent (with exception of the Polish studies).We discuss reasons for the low rates. Although a uniform method of data gathering is desirable, it may not suit scientists working in different traditions of theory and research. We conclude that it is once again timely to discuss the race concept in international meetings where all scientific and political changes occurring throughout the world in recent past decades are taken into account

Darwinian medicine and “race”: A note on education

The relevance of the modern evolutionary theory for medical practice and research has been generally acknowledged. It is, however, still debated whether there is enough benefit to be gained from the evolutionary theory to justify its inclusion in the ever expanding medical curriculum. It is argued in this paper that in addition to the numerous benefits already explicated in other works, the inclusion of the evolutionary theory into the medical education offers yet another potential gain for medicine - it provides the key for the understanding of human biological variation and its relevance within the medical discourse

Book review : "Monkey trials and gorilla sermons : evolution and Christianity from Darwin to intelligent design"

Book review of 'Monkey trials and gorilla sermons : evolution and Christianity from Darwin to intelligent design' by Peter J. Bowler. (2007) Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.265 pp. ISBN 9780674026155.1 page(s

Beyond race : a prolegomenon for the study of human biological variation

The study of human biological variation has been one of the most contentious fields in the history of anthropology and science in general. Most of the current controversies revolve around the concept of race and its utilization in the study of human variation. Mindful of the complexities of current debates it is presumed that heated discussions will continue for some time. This book aims to provide a platform for better understanding amongst those involved or interested in the polemic on race It presents a critical analysis of some of the main issues involved in the study of human variation and proposes a novel approach (based on the concept of artificial classification) in this highly controversial field. Befitting the breadth of the race debate, the book should be useful not only to anthropologists but also to experts working in other disciplines, particularly the social and biomedical ciences.1. Introduction -- 2. Terminology -- 3. A brief history of human variation studies -- 4. The status of the race concept in contemporary biological anthropology -- 5. The study of human variation -- 6. Conclusions

Humanistic anatomy : a new program for an old discipline

Human anatomy education, a key component in all medical and many science curricula, is in the midst of one of the greatest transformations in its long and complex history. One of the main features of this transformation is a more human and more humanistic approach to the learning and teaching of anatomy. While anatomists have been humanizing their discipline in various ways in recent years, their ideas and activities have not been synthesised and conceptualised as a coherent whole. The aim of this book is to provide this long overdue synthesis, under the newly proposed concept of "humanistic anatomy". In addition, the book makes suggestions as to how the program to humanize anatomy should be further developed. It is hoped that this book will initiate more expansive dialogue among scholars and facilitate further development of strategies to humanize anatomy and, through anatomy - science, medicine and the world we live in.100 page(s

The Study of human variation

Different approaches to the study of human variation have been debated for centuries. One of the major issues still discussed in anthropology and related sciences is whether the concept of race should be utilised in the study of human variation. This paper suggests an approach to the study of human biological variation which eliminates the race concept while preserving the classificatory process. It is based on the application of artificial classification and the assumption that infraspecific classification of the species Homo sapiens is possible only if it is invoked as an instrument of convenience.5 page(s

Using experimental history of science in teaching biological anthropology

7 page(s

Remembering Vesalius

3 page(s