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Is cancer modern evolution at work?
It seems to me like cancer is a form of asexual reproduction. The body doesn't fight off cancer because it mimics much the same way a foetus does.
By treating cancer are we slowing evolution?
What are your opinions?
3 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Cancer is the asexual reproduction of cells that are not part of the germ cell line.
The body does fight cancer. The p53 gene, which is responsible for programmed cell death, is involved in the destruction of cancer cells. Most cancers have a defective p53 gene or one that is not expressed.
Treating cancer does not slow evolution. Most cancers happen in people who are beyond reproductive age, so they do not have any effect on evolution.
Source(s): I am a biologist. - Doctor JLv 71 decade ago
Nope. For an evolutionary change to occur it must develop in organisms PRIOR to reproduction. Thus, timing is everything. Cancers are strongly age related. The incidence of human cancers increases geometrically with age. The vast majority of cancers develop AFTER reproductive age. Thus, any "cancerous change", even if it had evolutionary potential (highly unlikely), cannot be passed on to the progeny of the species.
Best wishes and good luck.
- Gary BLv 71 decade ago
No.
There have been "caveman" bones and dinosaur fossils found, both having evidence of cancer.
Cancer has been around for a LONG time, and it is NOT evolutionary.
