Evolutionary Theory

Evolution in the field of human health and medicine can be applied in several ways to improve the overall quality of life. The understanding of humans as an evolving species and a product of natural selection allows for a better understanding and management of today’s medical and health issues (Ruhli and Henneberg 2013). Utilization of evolutionary methods ultimately leads to improved diagnosis, treatment and research in issues of public health and medicine. The application of evolutionary theory, phylogenetic analysis and directed evolution to human health and medicine will be discussed and examined.

Evolutionary theory is routinely applied in Darwinian/evolutionary medicine which use evolutionary theory to understand, treat, and prevent diseases

Phylogenetic analysis are frequently used in molecular epidemiology which track diseases and their transmission (Bull & Wichman 2001). Public health frequently uses phylogenetic analysis to trace sources of contaminated foods that could be harmful to humans (Neese and Stearns 2008). For example, complete genome sequencing of both Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri show how similar they are phylogenetically and how they can be mistaken for each other (Wei et al. 2003). Understanding of this relationship helps find the source and put a stop to the contamination. Another example of how phylogenetics are used in epidemiology is in tracing the origin of HIV and its transmission between people. Tracing the origin has given insight into the introductions of the virus to humans and the different forms in which it exists. Determining which form of the disease an individual possesses allows for the most effective treatment. Tracking the diseases transmission and quick evolution allows for the determination of its source (Bull and Wichman 2001, Nesse and Stearns 2008) which can be used in stopping unintentional or even intentional transmission of the

This method is used in the engineering of proteins and allows the reproduction of molecules to enhance and create products that are important for human health and medicine (Orencia 2001, Bull and Wichman 2001). Directed evolution mimics the process of natural selection but in the laboratory. It has been specifically useful in predicting antibiotic resistance and in the engineering of antibiotics. For example, a study by Orencia and colleagues (2001), used directed evolution to predict future mutations which lead to increased resistance to antibiotics. Being able to create variants of existing molecules and selecting desired properties allows for the creation and enhancement of products beneficial to human health. Overall, directed evolution is a very useful method when applied in the current medical field and will continue to thrive throughout the