10.5061/DRYAD.513B9
Briga, Michael
University of Turku
Griffin, Robert M.
University of Turku
Berger, VĂ©rane
University of Turku
Pettay, Jenni E.
University of Turku
Lummaa, Virpi
University of Turku
Data from: What have humans done for evolutionary biology? Contributions
from genes to populations
Dryad
dataset
2018
Evolutionary biology
Homo Sapiens
Human studies
2018-05-22T07:36:22Z
2018-05-22T07:36:22Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.1164
67154 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Many fundamental concepts in evolutionary biology were discovered using
non-human study systems. Humans are poorly suited to key study designs
used to advance this field, and are subject to cultural, technological,
and medical influences often considered to restrict the pertinence of
human studies to other species and general contexts. Whether studies using
current and recent human populations provide insights that have broader
biological relevance in evolutionary biology is, therefore, frequently
questioned. We first surveyed researchers in evolutionary biology and
related fields on their opinions regarding whether studies on contemporary
humans can advance evolutionary biology. Almost all 442 participants
agreed that humans still evolve, but fewer agreed that this occurs through
natural selection. Most agreed that human studies made valuable
contributions to evolutionary biology, although those less exposed to
human studies expressed more negative views. With a series of examples, we
discuss strengths and limitations of evolutionary studies on contemporary
humans. These show that human studies provide fundamental insights into
evolutionary processes, improve understanding of the biology of many other
species, and will make valuable contributions to evolutionary biology in
the future.
briga_griffin_berger_pettay_lummaa_procb_2017_dataData from a survey among
evolutionary biologists, ecologists, and researchers in related fields on
the use of human data and studies for evolutionary and behavioural
ecology. Survey performed April 2017.