Could It Be Evolution?

[jpaule]

The case of Semenya is certainly of great interest because of its uniqueness. Could the characteristics of Caster Semenya actually be part of the evolutionary development of homo sapiens. If so, how would anyone determine this? Do we have to wait 100 millions years to find out?

[Marlow]

Re: Could It Be Evolution?

Could the characteristics of Caster Semenya actually be part of the evolutionary development of homo sapiens.

Random mutation is a precursor to evolution, not the result of it. If she is at the top end of masculinity of the female spectrum (not saying she is), and we eugenically mate her with a male also at the top end of masculinity (Rambo?), then we've got the beginning of a new 'line' that could be further refined in future generations. (Have I just evoked the ghost of Hitler, so we can declare this thread officially dead?)

[eldrick]

well

they are speculating that oestrogens from women's contraceptive pills do get into water supply & it's conjectured this is having feminising effects on male embryos

give it a few dozens of years & we may start getting more males morphologically resembling women...

[Powell]

But don't steroids also end up in the water system, having the opposite effect?

[eldrick]

the quantity of male steroids ending up in the water sysytem are likely to be about a 100th the equivalent amount of oestrogen/progestogen getting into it

there is virtually no medical indication for male steroids whereas nearly all females aged 16 - 45y are on some sort of hormonal contraception at some time

[Pego]

they are speculating that oestrogens from women's contraceptive pills do get into water supply & it's conjectured this is having feminising effects on male embryos

I would think, the amount in the water is miniscule compared to the pregnant woman's natural rates of estrogen/progesteron.

[eldrick]

what pregnancies ?

haven't you heard pregnancy rates in the western world are almost down to zero ? :P :wink: