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Evolution and Medicine provides
an accessible introduction to the new field of evolutionary medicine.
Evolutionary concepts help explain why we remain vulnerable to disease, how
pathogens and cancer cells evolve, and how the diseases that affected our
evolutionary ancestors have shaped our biology. Evolution and Medicine interweaves the
presentation of evolutionary principles with examples that illustrate how an
evolutionary perspective enhances our understanding of disease. The book
discusses the theory of evolution by natural selection, the genetic basis of
evolutionary change, evolutionary life history theory, and host-pathogen coevolution, and uses these concepts to provide new
insights into diseases such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, sexually transmitted
diseases, and malaria. It incorporates the latest research in rapidly
developing fields such as epigenetics and the study
of the human microbiome. The book ends with a
discussion of the ways in which recent, culturally constructed changes in the
human environment are increasing the prevalence of man-made diseases such as
diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and are exacerbating socioeconomic
disparities in health. Just as evolutionary biology is concerned with populations
and with changes in populations over time, evolutionary medicine is concerned
with the health of populations. Evolution and Medicine emphasizes the
role of demographic processes in evolution and disease, and stresses the
importance of improving population health as a strategy for improving the
health of individuals. Evolution and Medicine will appeal to all readers with a
background or interest in medicine. Available through all good
bookshops, or direct from Oxford University Press at: or http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199661725.do |
