Scientists' predictions: 8 human changes of the future
Scientists are still arguing about how long ago Homo sapiens appeared on Earth. The following is precisely known: about 40 thousand years ago, our distant ancestors already lived on all continents. With a huge cultural difference, in the physiological and anatomical sense, they were very similar to modern people. Scientists believe that Homo sapiens continues to evolve today. At the same time, his body is influenced not only by natural factors (especially those that cause genetic mutations), but also by socio-cultural parameters.
Let's talk about what changes in humans in the coming millennia are considered most likely by researchers.
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Increased growth
According to anthropologists, the growth of a primitive man did not exceed 160 cm. Now such people are considered short. The average height of a Russian today is 175-178 cm, and even among the fair sex, growth above 170 cm is quite common. However, this parameter strongly depends on both ethnic characteristics and individual heredity. In addition, scientists have noticed that in developed countries, where high-calorie food is available to everyone, the average height of representatives of each next generation increases, while in regions where food shortages are still observed, this does not happen. Given that the international community is making serious efforts to fight hunger, it can be assumed that people will grow up a little in the future.
Darkening of hair and eyes
Scientific and technological progress has made a person mobile. Now people move freely around the world, change their place of residence and assimilate. This is how the transfer and infusion of new genetic material into ethnic groups, which until recently lived separately and retained their specific appearance, take place. In cases where the specificity is due to recessive genes, it disappears. Already today, there is a decrease in the number of people with blond hair and eyes. Scientists believe that this process will continue, and in the future, blue-eyed blondes will become a real rarity.
Increasing the number of overweight people
The reason for the increase in the number of people who are overweight is not so much the availability of high-calorie foods, but rather a shift in the eating habits of many people in developed countries towards fast food. Such food is convenient and does not need to be cooked. In addition, manufacturers introduce additives into its composition, causing addiction and rejection of regular homemade food. The sad results of the fast food craze have been noticeable for a long time. According to statistics, over the past 20 years the number of obese Europeans has doubled. Unfortunately, without a conscious transition to a healthy diet, this process will continue.
Changes in teeth and jaw bones
The main factor in changes in appearance is a change in a person's diet. The proportion of foods consumed unprocessed has been steadily declining. Food manufacturers, in an effort to make food as appealing as possible, often take the path of eliminating solids. The consumption of food, which practically does not need to be chopped, leads to the fact that the human chewing apparatus does not experience the loads programmed by nature and gradually becomes unnecessary. In practice, this leads to a weakening of the jaw bones, masticatory muscles and dental tissues. Many people today are born without wisdom teeth. According to scientists, there is a possibility that a person's teeth will become smaller over time, and a weakening of the jaw apparatus will lead to a change in the skull, which will greatly affect the appearance of our distant descendants.
Reduction of muscle volume
The everyday affairs of a modern person, as a rule, do not require significant muscular efforts, and not everyone strives to play sports. Thus, the strength of muscles and skeletal bones becomes an unnecessary sign from the point of view of evolution. There are hypotheses that represent the person of the future as a physically weak creature with a huge brain, but not even able to move independently. This is most likely an exaggeration, but the fact that we are physically much weaker than our primitive ancestors can be considered an established fact.
Weakening of the immune system
The progress of medicine has helped mankind get rid of many deadly ailments and contributed to an increase in life expectancy. Unfortunately, many scientific discoveries have had negative consequences. In particular, the widespread use of antibiotics has led to a weakening of the natural immunity of humans. Our immune system has become accustomed to the fact that its functions are taken over by drugs, household chemicals and perfumery and cosmetic products. A number of scientists believe that in the future the protective forces of man will weaken, making him more and more dependent on the achievements of civilization.
Erasing gender differences
Some researchers talk about the development of a post-gender society in the future. So they call a community of people, gender differences between which are largely erased. Some elements of such changes can be observed already today. Many inhabitants of developed countries display traits and habits that are unusual for their gender (men who are too feminine and women who are too masculine appear). The number of same-sex families is growing, as well as the number of people seeking to use reproductive technologies that do not require the participation of a permanent partner of the opposite sex. It is hardly worth counting on the fact that over time, natural reproduction will completely disappear, but the tendency to erase gender differences should not be completely discounted.
An increase in the number of people suffering from depression
According to statistics, about a third of Americans today suffer from depression. A modern person almost every day finds himself in stressful situations that lead to a deterioration in his physical and mental health. Scientists believe that over time the situation will worsen, and consider the propensity to depression one of the factors that can lead humanity to the brink of extinction.
Researchers' predictions look disappointing. It turns out that our descendants are doomed to be weak, sickly, depressed and overly dependent on the achievements of civilization. In a sense, this is true, but each of us can still influence the situation. You need to change your own existence: give preference to healthy eating, go in for sports, give up unnecessary use of drugs, develop a positive outlook on the world. This is the only way we will set a good example for our children, which will help them to live correctly, interestingly and effectively. Ultimately, this can positively affect the health and appearance of future generations.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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