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The Evolution of Imperfection: The Science of Why We Aren’t and Can’t Be Perfect
How understanding our genetic imperfections can change our view of evolution and enrich what it means to be human
If we start with the presumption that evolution is a constantly improving process, some aspects of our evolution just do not make sense. We have a high rate of genetic diseases, for example, and much of our DNA seems to be pointless. In The Evolution of Imperfection, Laurence Hurst explores our apparently rotten genetic luck.
Hurst, a leading authority on evolution and genetics, argues that our evolutionary imperfections proceed directly from two the difficulties of pregnancy and the fact that historically there are relatively few of us. In pregnancy, natural selection can favor chromosomes that kill embryos in species (including ours) that continuously receive resources from the mother. Most fertilized eggs don’t make it, and incompatibilities between the fetus and mother can lead to lethal disorders of pregnancy. The historically small population size enhances the role of chance, which in turn leads to both accumulation of unnecessary DNA and more mutation.
So what can save us? One answer may lie in genetic medicine, which has given us therapies that make killer conditions preventable and even curable.
Hurst suggests that our seeming imperfections could be the key to a new way to understand evolution itself. Looking at circumstances that seem to defy explanation, we might come to a richer understanding of how evolution really works, and what it means to be human.
If we start with the presumption that evolution is a constantly improving process, some aspects of our evolution just do not make sense. We have a high rate of genetic diseases, for example, and much of our DNA seems to be pointless. In The Evolution of Imperfection, Laurence Hurst explores our apparently rotten genetic luck.
Hurst, a leading authority on evolution and genetics, argues that our evolutionary imperfections proceed directly from two the difficulties of pregnancy and the fact that historically there are relatively few of us. In pregnancy, natural selection can favor chromosomes that kill embryos in species (including ours) that continuously receive resources from the mother. Most fertilized eggs don’t make it, and incompatibilities between the fetus and mother can lead to lethal disorders of pregnancy. The historically small population size enhances the role of chance, which in turn leads to both accumulation of unnecessary DNA and more mutation.
So what can save us? One answer may lie in genetic medicine, which has given us therapies that make killer conditions preventable and even curable.
Hurst suggests that our seeming imperfections could be the key to a new way to understand evolution itself. Looking at circumstances that seem to defy explanation, we might come to a richer understanding of how evolution really works, and what it means to be human.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 8, 2025
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204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 4, 2025
The idea is simple. All living things, and especially humans, are subject to random mutations that occur at varying rates. Mutations can be helpful or harmful. The most harmful mutations are selected out before birth or before childbearing age. Many others are not selected out, and in humans this is often the case. Harmful mutations can cause imperfections such as disease or dysfunction. Human DNA is filled with junk that is not selected out; therefore it is possible that we are not improving genetically as a species.
To prove his point, Hurst provides pages and pages describing models of mutation rates in various species. Since this is very tedious, he uses analogies such as comparing mutation effects to an airplane being riddled with bullets, a colander, and the unwisdom of messing with a Swiss watch. One interesting discussion was of vitamin C and how he thinks humans could once synthesize it but are now unable to. He also gets into specific mutations such as those involved in sickle cell anemia and MS. I learned there are germline mutations which are heritable and somatic mutations which are not. And that one COVID drug uses mutagenesis (forcing an increase in mutation rate) to weaken the virus. And more. But I admit much of the discussion was more technical than my interest level so I skimmed over parts. And I’m still not sure what he thinks would be perfection in evolution.
At the end is a discussion of medicine and its effect on natural selection, and of gene editing therapies and the unknown effects of messing with DNA.
It concludes with a soft-hearted nod to imperfect humanity. We are not the pinnacle of all evolution, just humans, but that is fine. The miracle is the “new, fresh life” that begins with a fertilized egg.
To prove his point, Hurst provides pages and pages describing models of mutation rates in various species. Since this is very tedious, he uses analogies such as comparing mutation effects to an airplane being riddled with bullets, a colander, and the unwisdom of messing with a Swiss watch. One interesting discussion was of vitamin C and how he thinks humans could once synthesize it but are now unable to. He also gets into specific mutations such as those involved in sickle cell anemia and MS. I learned there are germline mutations which are heritable and somatic mutations which are not. And that one COVID drug uses mutagenesis (forcing an increase in mutation rate) to weaken the virus. And more. But I admit much of the discussion was more technical than my interest level so I skimmed over parts. And I’m still not sure what he thinks would be perfection in evolution.
At the end is a discussion of medicine and its effect on natural selection, and of gene editing therapies and the unknown effects of messing with DNA.
It concludes with a soft-hearted nod to imperfect humanity. We are not the pinnacle of all evolution, just humans, but that is fine. The miracle is the “new, fresh life” that begins with a fertilized egg.
July 2, 2025
My understanding of the premise of this book is stated by a question in the Introduction: “Is evolution simply a process of gradual improvement, a progressive march toward perfection rendering us the finest nature has to offer?” The Introduction is followed by roughly 250 pages that systematically demolish the very thought of answering “yes.”
After some preparatory work defining terms and concepts, each chapter discusses a particular problem or set of problems, working toward explanations of the various processes involved, as well as describing their component parts. At the end of each chapter, just as one if starting to feel comfortable with what has been elucidated, the final paragraph (or sometimes two) points out a flaw in the argument just presented. Off we go into another chapter, delving ever more deeply into root causes.
Much of what he demonstrates involves probabilities or ratios of occurrence in a population, Those numbers as related to zygote survival are quite surprising. At one point in the book, he mentions a selfish gene – not the Dawkins Selfish Gene, but one that he calls a “selfish gene element” that acts in a manner that could be construed as selfish.
Hurst offers a table of abbreviations for acronyms and initialisms used in the text and I found myself wishing for a glossary of terms used, with a brief description of each term. Reading one chapter each day, the precise definition of some term introduced yesterday or earlier may have slipped my mind (we all get old, right?).
An interesting if somewhat difficult book.
After some preparatory work defining terms and concepts, each chapter discusses a particular problem or set of problems, working toward explanations of the various processes involved, as well as describing their component parts. At the end of each chapter, just as one if starting to feel comfortable with what has been elucidated, the final paragraph (or sometimes two) points out a flaw in the argument just presented. Off we go into another chapter, delving ever more deeply into root causes.
Much of what he demonstrates involves probabilities or ratios of occurrence in a population, Those numbers as related to zygote survival are quite surprising. At one point in the book, he mentions a selfish gene – not the Dawkins Selfish Gene, but one that he calls a “selfish gene element” that acts in a manner that could be construed as selfish.
Hurst offers a table of abbreviations for acronyms and initialisms used in the text and I found myself wishing for a glossary of terms used, with a brief description of each term. Reading one chapter each day, the precise definition of some term introduced yesterday or earlier may have slipped my mind (we all get old, right?).
An interesting if somewhat difficult book.
October 2, 2025
No hate to Laurence Hurst, but I couldn’t wait for this to be over. Frankly, it was way over my head, too scientific and too technical. I was mainly interested in the chapter “Problems with Placentas, Pregnancy and Perfection” which was interesting but still too many complex ideas. I’m sure this book is great, but it was too much for me.
December 3, 2025
The angle is good; I was hoping for a book similar to *Junk DNA*. However, it focuses a little too much on practical technology, making it too difficult for non-specialist readers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews