The species that changed itself : how prosperity reshaped humanity

Other species adapt to their environment; we create ours. Our remaking of the world has not only liberated much of the planet from plague and famine: it has reshaped the human phenotype - the interaction between genes and environment that moulds our bodies and minds. We grow taller and heavier, live longer, behave differently and die of once-rare diseases. So are we self-domesticated animals? Weaving together biology, social anthropology, epidemiology and history, Edwin Gale explores the shifting mental and physical dimensions of our lives, and makes the fascinating, persuasive and timely argument that we are creatures of our own making. An inquisitive, expansive and fascinating exploration of humans as creatures of our own making Other species adapt to their environments; we alone create ours. Over generations, we have remade the world to suit ourselves - using improved knowledge and technology to confront the traditional scourges - and for the most part we enjoy prosperity beyond the dreams of our ancestors. What's more, in changing our world, we have also reshaped the human phenotype - the interaction between genes and environment that moulds our bodies and minds. The results can be seen in the streets of our post-industrial cities. We grow taller and heavier than before, and live longer. We think and behave differently, and die from once rare diseases. Our experiences of life have been transformed, and in turn so have our societies. Weaving together biology, social anthropology, epidemiology and history, Edwin Gale examines the shifting physical and mental dimensions of our lives, from ageing to illness, food production to reproduction, designer bodies to IQ tests, and asks: are we a self-domesticated species? An Inquisitive, Expansive And Fascinating Exploration Of Humans As Creatures Of Our Own Making Other Species Adapt To Their Environments; We Alone Create Ours. Over Generations, We Have Remade The World To Suit Ourselves - Using Improved Knowledge And Technology To Confront The Traditional Scourges - And For The Most Part We Enjoy Prosperity Beyond The Dreams Of Our Ancestors. What's More, In Changing Our World, We Have Also Reshaped The Human Phenotype - The Interaction Between Genes And Environment That Moulds Our Bodies And Minds. The Results Can Be Seen In The Streets Of Our Post-industrial Cities. We Are Taller And Heavier, And Live Longer. We Think And Behave Differently, And Die From Once-rare Diseases. Our Experiences Of Life Have Been Transformed, And In Turn So Have Our Societies. Weaving Together Biology, Social Anthropology, Epidemiology And History, Edwin Gale Examines The Shifting Physical And Mental Dimensions Of Our Lives, From Ageing To Illness, Food Production To Reproduction, Designer Bodies To Iq Tests, And Asks: Are We A Self-domesticated Species? Today we enjoy an existence our ancestors could only dream of. We live longer, healthier, better nourished lives. Over a handful of generations, human societies have altered almost beyond recognition. Other species adapt to their environments; we alone create ours. Our ability to do so has not only liberated much of the planet from plague and famine over the last century, but also reshaped the human phenotype - the interaction between genes and environment that moulds our bodies and minds. Weaving together biology, social anthropology, epidemiology and history, Edwin Gale argues that we are the only species to have domesticated itself. But at what cost? The Species that Changed Itself is timely reminder that we are products of the world we have made Over a handful of generations, human societies have altered almost beyond recognition. Other species adapt to their environments; we alone create ours. Our ability to do so has not only liberated much of the planet from plague and famine over the last century, but also reshaped the human phenotype - the interaction between genes and environment that moulds our bodies and minds. Weaving together biology, social anthropology, epidemiology and history, the author argues that we are the only species to have domesticated itself. But at what cost?