New research suggests that it does serve a function, it stores some beneficial bacteria. Sort of like a back up, but due to industrialization and our phobia of even "good" germs, it's not really that relevant and ironically could be the cause of appendicitis. This is due to the fact it's not being used enough and our body tends to attack healthy appendages when that happens. (Yes, I'm oversimplifying.)
Possibly, we could be born without them. But it would first need to be of some benefit, from a natural selection perspective. And no, humans have not reached their "peek." Evolution has no goals, it just trundles along, sort of like trial and error. Medical Science has not yet wiped out every single natural selective pressure and could in fact be creating some more. (See drug resistant illnesses.) Modernity may have slowed us down, in terms of natural selection, though.
Does the appendix serve a purpose,and if not Do you think people will eventually be born without one?
Sparklee
2012/05/16 02:50:00
Top Opinion
-
Random 2012/07/11 15:50:15
Possibly, we could be born without them. But it would first need to be of some benefit, from a natural selection perspective. And no, humans have not reached their "peek." Evolution has no goals, it just trundles along, sort of like trial and error. Medical Science has not yet wiped out every single natural selective pressure and could in fact be creating some more. (See drug resistant illnesses.) Modernity may have slowed us down, in terms of natural selection, though.