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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Review

New perspectives on evolutionary medicine: the relevance of microevolution for human health and disease

Authors: Frank Jakobus Rühli, Maciej Henneberg

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Evolutionary medicine (EM) is a growing field focusing on the evolutionary basis of human diseases and their changes through time. To date, the majority of EM studies have used pure theories of hominin macroevolution to explain the present-day state of human health. Here, we propose a different approach by addressing more empirical and health-oriented research concerning past, current and future microevolutionary changes of human structure, functions and pathologies. Studying generation-to-generation changes of human morphology that occurred in historical times, and still occur in present-day populations under the forces of evolution, helps to explain medical conditions and warns clinicians that their current practices may influence future humans. Also, analyzing historic tissue specimens such as mummies is crucial in order to address the molecular evolution of pathogens, of the human genome, and their coadaptations.
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Metadata
Title
New perspectives on evolutionary medicine: the relevance of microevolution for human health and disease
Authors
Frank Jakobus Rühli
Maciej Henneberg
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-11-115

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