Elle

“natural selection is basically the inevitable outcome of two phenomena that still exist: heritable variation and differential reproductive success. Just”
― Daniel E. Lieberman, The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease

“Human evolution is not over, but the chances of natural selection adapting our species in dramatic, major ways to common non-infectious mismatch diseases are remote unless conditions change dramatically. One reason is that many of these diseases have little to no effect on fertility. Type 2 diabetes, for example, generally develops after people have reproduced, and even then, it is highly manageable for many years.8 Another consideration is that natural selection can act only on variations that affect reproductive success and that are also genetically passed from parent to offspring. Some obesity-related illnesses can hinder reproductive function, but these problems have strong environmental causes.9 Finally, although culture sometimes spurs selection, it is also a powerful buffer. Every year new products and therapies are being developed that allow people with common mismatch diseases to cope better with their symptoms. Whatever selection is operating is probably occurring at a pace too slow to measure in our lifetimes.”
― Daniel E. Lieberman, The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease

“These natural tendencies then make us vulnerable to manufacturers and marketers who easily exploit our basic urges to eat too much, eat the wrong foods, and exercise too little. Because these unhealthy behaviors are deep instincts they are very difficult to overcome. The bottom line is that knowledge is power, but not enough. Most of us need information and skills, but we also require motivation and reinforcement to overcome basic urges in order to make healthier choices in environments replete with plentiful food and labor-saving devices.”
― Daniel E. Lieberman, The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease

“Another relevant factor is money. In the United States and many other countries, health care is partly a for-profit industry.21 Consequently, there is a strong incentive to invest in or promote treatments such as antacids and orthotics that alleviate the symptoms of diseases and that people have to buy frequently and for many years. Another way to make lots of money is to favor costly procedures like surgery instead of less expensive preventive treatments like physical therapy. Preventive”
― Daniel E. Lieberman, The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease