Modern Obstetrics/Medicine Disrupt Human Evolution/Reproduction

Modern Obstetrics/Medicine Disrupt Human Evolution/Reproduction

Procreation simply isn’t what it used to be. About 200,000 years ago, the biological and environmental elements of the reproductive process of primitive humans was vastly different than what it is today. With advancements in biomedical technology, the way in which we reproduce will continue to deviate from our primitive origins. Furthermore, the intervention and application of new technology directly alters the evolutionary progression of humans in two major ways – how conception occurs and how we as human species give birth.

Modern medicine and science have made huge strides in remedying infertility. For example, within the last three years, by studying the intricate mechanisms of development such as cell specialization and differentiation, scientists have been able to artificially manipulate skin tissue to make sperm in a petri dish (Regalado, 2017). This technology may one day be used to create a human embryo for in vitro fertilization. In this way, science has interfered with the selection process that governs evolution at its core by bypassing the roadblock of infertility. Depending on genetic predisposition to infertility, this intervention may lead to more infertile individuals who must rely on technology to reproduce causing a ripple effect throughout future generations.

In addition, the birthing process has dramatically developed from the days of unassisted vaginal births to planned cesarean sections. While primitive humans usually gave birth at night when risk of predation was low, medical advancements allow modern humans to plan when and where their birth will take place. Drugs like Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) can be administered to initiate labor or speed up the labor process by stimulating contractions of the uterine muscle. Surgical interventions such as cesarean sections can also be planned and are typically scheduled for the delivery of babies whose head diameter or body positioning is not suitable for the vaginal birthing process. Aside from these medical interventions dictating how and when birth occurs, their side effects can be seen in the reformed pattern of human evolution. The clearest example is expressed in the increased cranium circumference of modern infants. Vacuum and surgical deliveries have allowed babies with larger heads to survive thus overtime supporting this previously deleterious trait (King, 2017). Reliance on medical technology is transforming human biology. Through this cycle, we will continue to depend on the medical sciences to thrive as a species.

Ethically, reproductive intervention is a loaded topic. As described previously, solutions to infertility such as artificially synthesized sperm from tissue cells raises huge, moral red flags. Harvesting and preserving tissue are both fairly easy processes that now, with this technology, could provide the precursors to viable gametes. This means a left behind hair follicle or preserved sample from the deceased could be used to create life. Bioethicist Dr. Ronald Green from Dartmouth University describes these dilemmas by highlighting the potential for moral misconduct. Ultimately, with these possibilities, how do we ensure consent from the genetic origin of the sample? Dr. Green says, “I think we’re going to have to craft a new human right. And that is the right to consent to being a parent.” (Stein, 2014).

While this technology is very new and still developing, medical interventions associated with the birthing process have been around for quite some time. However, it is still important to consider the ethics involved in these processes. There is evidence of adverse effects of obstetric intervention that may relate to evolution and human fitness. Birth palsy or obstetric brachial plexus paralysis (OBPP) is caused by over-stretching or obstructive deformation during the birthing process that results in brachial plexus injury to the infant. Partial paralysis of the arm or other issues resulting from damage to the nervous tissue can often occur. A study conducted in 2015 investigated the cause of this birth defect and concluded that the evolution of medicine has in fact contributed to the increase in head and shoulder size. Therefore, this side effect is linked to the increased occurrence of birth palsy in modern humans (Sreekanth, 2015). In order to reverse this issue, evolution would have to naturally select against these traits or widen the birth canal overtime.

In the technologies that assist in conception and delivery, the Hippocratic oath “do no harm” becomes blurry when considering acute versus long-term effects of medical intervention on the human species. Depending on the context, non-malfeasance and beneficence can have similar meaning or directly contradict each other. Dependency is a very real consequence of medical technology, however, without it we risk devastating loss.

References:

King, B. J. (2017, July 20). Babies And Bankers' Hours: A Shift In U.S. Birth Patterns.

Retrieved November 16, 2017, from https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/07/20/538312443/babies-and-bankers-hours-a-shift-in-u-s-birth-patterns

Regalado, A. (2017, August 29). Synthetic human reproduction could be a whole new

way to make babies. Retrieved November 16, 2017, from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/608452/a-new-way-to-reproduce/

           

Sreekanth, R., & Thomas, B. (2015, September). Human Evolution: The Real Cause for Birth

Palsy. Retrieved November 16, 2017, from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4909080/

Stein, R. (2014, May 01). 'Provocative' Research Turns Skin Cells Into Sperm. Retrieved

         November 16, 2017, from https://www.npr.org/sections/health

         shots/2014/05/01/308737968/provocative-research-turns-skin-cells-into-sperm