Replies

I don't put much credence in the article, however to your point - humans have become significantly taller in the last several hundred years, and in the past few decades alone better health care and nutrition have had a noticeable effect in size. In some cases the changes have been extreme - currently, the average Dutch man is 5 feet 11 inches. Average, making them among the tallest people in the world. In 1856 the average height of the average Dutch male was 5 feet 2 inches.

Another area that people have changed is speed. Running speed. At one point the three minute mile was 'impossible.' Now even some high schoolers have beaten it. Why? I believe, again, better nutrition and less disease enabling people to 'be all they can be.'

As for genetic manipulation, that is also already happening. It is called gene doping and it is something that has been experimented on in dogs and cattle (by working with a genetic defect that limits myostatin and makes them have huge muscles), and apparently in China, humans. In China gene doping has been part of their military program (be it ACTN3 for increased speed or, more importantly, erythropoietin for increased endurance). That last one was of special significance in the London Olympics when "16 year old Chinese swimmer, Ye Shiwen, came out of nowhere to win the Gold Medal in a World Record Breaking 400m swim performance. John Leonard, the highly respected American director of the World Swimming Coaches Association, described her performance as “unbelievable” and said that authorities should check to see “if there is something unusual going on in terms of genetic manipulation."

Is this 'evolution?' No, not really. But it does show that manipulation is possible ...even if the 'manipulation' simply means better nutrition and less disease to ravage the body. Definitely when it comes to real manipulation, such as work on genes, the case of Ye Shiwen, and the amount of money the Chinese are putting into their military programs, definitely shows it is possible.

This does not mean that Captain America will exist, or people who can fly or any such nonsense. But we will definitely see 'better people' from a genetic standpoint. Enhanced human beings that are on aggregate 'superior' to even a high normal-human average. In the same way today you find some people with better immune systems, or higher IQ, or a natural stronger will, than 'average.' Sure, anyone can work towards being healthier, or dedicate themselves to becoming smarter, and obviously will power is something anyone can do if they sufficiently dedicate themselves to it. But for some it is easier. Gene doping makes it even easier.