Should Doctors Study Evolution?

A series of articles in the January 26 issue of PNAS illustrates recent progress in applying evolutionary theory to a range of questions in medicine and public health, and may lead to medical students soon being tested on evolution in medical entrance and licensing exams. So what does evolution – a theory that deals with changes over many generations – have to do with preventing and treating disease in our lifetime? A lot, some scientists say. "There are many ways you can use evolution to improve medical care and medical research," said psychiatrist Randolph Nesse of the University of Michigan. read more

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