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As a species were getting taller, is that evolution?

I know evolution is a fact of course...and its a fact that people today are taller than people were in the past.

Is this evolution? Or just a bit of random variation that could just go the other way? Cant see how its helping us to survive as a species...unless its because tall people are sexier and get more babies because of it :D

Not technically a religion question...but I know lots of people here are clued up on it moreso than me.

Update:

Just editing to congratulate you guys, great responses and no stupid arguing :)

Update 2:

Uncle Sven you suck...nobody mentioned anything about decades...I just said in the past.

17 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    It's a yes and no. How tall you could potentially be is determined by your genes and so is evolutionary however we are getting taller due to advances in nutrition that enable people to grow to their maximum potential height. Eventually, we will probably stop getting taller and average height will be taller but there will always be giants and little people :)

  • 10 years ago

    Yes, in general, human beings are taller on average now than even just 100 years ago. We're also fatter, and living longer, too.

    However these changes are not due to changes in our genetics, but because of our science, technology and medicine. We have access to more food than ever due to things like refrigeration, pasteurization, and freezing. We don't need to go hunting anymore. I can get a full meal by just pushing a few buttons on my microwave, or on my phone to have it delivered. We no longer have 1000s of people dying from diseases like Measles or Smallpox or even a scratch on the arm.

    It's difficult to discuss evolution of man because our technology is having a much larger and faster impact on us than the environment.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Yeah, sexual selection is the reason. Ladies like taller men. I read somewhere that there is a light correlation between penis size and height; taller men do on average have bigger penises than shorter men.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Yes and it's called survival of the fittest. Why do you think women like taller men?

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  • 10 years ago

    Us getting taller is probably more to do with nutritional issues and growth hormones in our food.

    Humans becoming genetically incompatible is evolution.

    (rhesus negative)

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    It's because of improved nutrition, not evolution or random variation.

    Source(s): biologist
  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    you mean like in the past couple of decades? .. no, evolution doesnt work that way its simple breeding traits .. and since you 'know' its a fact know the facts about your own beliefs - evolution takes hundreds of thousands of years not a couple of birthdays .. :)

  • Raatz
    Lv 7
    10 years ago

    Height is not entirely genetic. It's environmental. Better fed get taller.

  • 10 years ago

    It's mostly nutrition. Nowadays we get more protein when we are younger so we can grow more.

    It's not sexual selection. Short people still get married and have children.

  • 10 years ago

    I think a couple of factors come into play - sexual selection is one of them and is a strong driver of natural selection, and better nutrition all thoughout childhood helps too.

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