McDougal Littell - Biology

Darwinian Medicine

Darwinian medicine is a new field of study that examines evolutionary explanations for human susceptibility to disease. By taking an evolutionary perspective, modern medicine is gaining new insights into why diseases occur, and how the human body has adapted in response. For instance, most genes that cause disease are not simply mistakes. Many offer a benefit, like the sickle cell gene that also protects against malaria. In addition, knowing the evolutionary relationships between pathogens and their effect on humans will allow more efficient design of drug treatments. (“What is Darwinian Medicine?” Randolph Nesse, M.D., The University of Michigan)