Evolution of Ecosystems and

the Future of Humanity

Josh Mitteldorf

Pathways to Indefinite LifespansUniversity of Nicosia

24 May 2014

1) Selfish Gene theory – how it came to be the dominant model; what is wrong with it.

2) Reductionism in physics and biology.

3) Aging – a great failure of Selfish Gene Theory

4) Population Dynamics is what is missing from Selfish Gene theory

5) New understanding of evolution changes Medicinal Research

6) The future of human life depends on ecosystems

Evolution of Ecosystems and the Future of Humanity

The Selfish Genedominant evolutionary theory 50 yrs

● Every gene for itself● Pure competition● All examples of cooperation or altruism in nature

presumed to be an illusion from Inclusive Fitness ● Connections to Capitalism and to class privilege

(Social Darwinism)

Reductionismin Physics and Evolution

● Break down the system into simple, independent components

● Study the components in isolation● Use statistics to understand how they behave

together.● Quantum Mechanics (1926): Physicists realized

reductionism is no longer valid.● Biologists do not yet realize Reductionism is not

valid for Evolution

“Thus, biology...must choose [to] break free of reductionist hegemony, reintegrate itself, and press forward once more as a fundamental science. The latter course means an emphasis on holistic, ‘nonlinear,’ emergent biology—with understanding evolution and the nature of biological form as the primary, defining goals of a new biology...

One would be hard put to explain evolution and the problem of biological form in reductionist terms alone.”

- Carl Woese

Agingdoesn’t fit with the Selfish Gene

● Aging cannot be adaptive for the individual● But there are genes for aging● And these genes are very old, universal● Natural Selection has preserved aging, so it must

have a purpose.● But the purpose must be for the community, because

there is only harm for the individual.● Hormesis: Leveling out the death rate in good times

and harsh times.

Population Dynamicsthe key to understanding what’s

wrong with the Selfish Gene

● Selfish Gene theory assumes a stable environment while gene frequency changes more rapidly

● Assumes that the total population remains stable at its carrying capacity

● In reality populations can change fast, even within one lifetime.

Reindeer Populationof St Matthews Island

Population Dynamicsthe key to understanding what’s

wrong with the Selfish Gene

● In Selfish Gene theory, population regulation cannot evolve. The cost to the individual is fast, the group benefit slow.

● In simulations and in reality, it is easy to see evolution of population regulation.

● Aging helps to stabilize ecosystems. This explains why aging has evolved, and why the genes for aging persist.

A New Understanding of Aging

changes the face of medical research

● “Natural Medicine” is good for many things but it cannot address aging.

● We cannot slow aging by “helping the body” because the body is trying to die.

● But we can use signaling to tell the body it is young.

– Hormones / Youthful gene expression

– Lengthening telomeres

The Human Future● What is consciousness? I do not believe it is a

function of computation alone.● Full quantum simulations may be huge and

impractical● Humans will take into the future

– Our Bodies

– Our Communities

– Our Ecosystems