How have five centuries of human activity fundamentally altered the course of evolution?
In short: Professor Steve Jones explores how human influence since the sixteenth century has accelerated evolutionary shifts in humans, plants, and animals. This lecture examines our impact on the natural world, from gold-mining to global warming, and considers the future of life on Earth.
Recorded in January 2019, this lecture by Emeritus Professor of Genetics Steve Jones marks the 500th anniversary of Sir Thomas Gresham’s birth. Jones, a renowned geneticist known for his work on snails, fruit flies, and human genetics, investigates how human-driven environmental changes force species to adapt rapidly. By analyzing the last five centuries, he provides a framework for understanding how modern activities continue to reshape biodiversity.
The discussion bridges the gap between historical human development and biological change, offering a speculative look toward the year 2119—the 600th anniversary of Gresham’s birth. Jones draws on his extensive academic background, including research at the Galton Laboratory and various international institutions, to contextualize how life copes with an increasingly human-dominated planet.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: How Changes Over the Past Five Centuries have Moulded Evolution - Steve Jones
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