Guys I had a thought yesterday (yes, just one :lol )
I was washing my hands and I realised I was effectively 'protecting myself' from disease. However, when we become ill, our bodies fight the disease and once it has succeeded it installs 'markers' that help initiate a quick response in the event of future infection. My first question is this: would it not be better that I initially catch this disease now, whilst I am in my prime and healthy and able to resist it, than when I am old - potentially giving a normally non-lethal disease the chance to kill me?
I am all for hygiene, but nature has it's own safety systems when it comes to dealing with disease. Should we really tamper with this?
To lead onto my next point, if I was to contract a fatal disease and subsequently die (duh) then is that not nature's natural selection? The very basis of our theories on evolution? Are we effectively stopping evolution in it's tracks?
Every day doctors save people from potentially fatal diseases. Is evolution being allowed to work here? Aren't we messing up the whole process?
Admittedly I have done zilch research on this. That however was intentional, I want you guys to surprise me. Perhaps we shall see some rivalry not seen since the God V Godless series of debates :grin
Some ground rules:
- Sources are not necessary although it can do nothing to harm your case.
- Opinions alone are certainly welcome
- Please no ethical arguements about 'We simply can't just let people die', I only want to examine the impact we are having on evolution, I'm not suggesting we close the hospitals :lol
Discuss.....