Items related to Children Of Prometheus: The Accelerating Pace Of Human...

Children Of Prometheus: The Accelerating Pace Of Human Evolution - Hardcover

  • 3.25 out of 5 stars
    40 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780713993486: Children Of Prometheus: The Accelerating Pace Of Human Evolution

Synopsis

Ever since Darwin published The Descent of Man , we have wondered about the future of our species. Will we separate into H.G. Wells's Morlocks and Eloi, or will we stay pretty much the same? Biologist Christopher Wills tackles this big question in Children of Prometheus , claiming that yes, indeed we are changing in significant ways, despite assertions by many scientists to the contrary. Evolution can be seen as an improvisational dance performed by DNA and the environment--each equal partners until just a geological moment ago, when one species--ours--began to have a profound impact on the environment, changing everything. Wills describes how we have indirectly slowed, sped up, or stopped (through extinction) the evolution of many species, and suggests that our environmental manipulations are accelerating the rate at which we ourselves are changing with each generation. His lucid explanations of evolutionary mechanisms and heritability studies greatly help non-technical readers grasp his points, but even professional scientists will benefit from his review of the psychogenetic literature. In the end, Children of Prometheus can't tell us what our distant descendents will look like; we can only look in a mirror and wonder how they will differ. --Rob Lightner

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review

Ever since Darwin published The Descent of Man, we have wondered about the future of our species. Will we separate into H.G. Wells's Morlocks and Eloi, or will we stay pretty much the same? Biologist Christopher Wills tackles this big question in Children of Prometheus , claiming that yes, indeed we are changing in significant ways, despite assertions by many scientists to the contrary.

Evolution can be seen as an improvisational dance performed by DNA and the environment--each equal partners until just a geological moment ago, when one species--ours--began to have a profound impact on the environment, changing everything. Wills describes how we have indirectly slowed, sped up, or stopped (through extinction) the evolution of many species, and suggests that our environmental manipulations are accelerating the rate at which we ourselves are changing with each generation. His lucid explanations of evolutionary mechanisms and heritability studies greatly help non-technical readers grasp his points, but even professional scientists will benefit from his review of the psychogenetic literature. In the end, Children of Prometheus can't tell us what our distant descendents will look like; we can only look in a mirror and wonder how they will differ. --Rob Lightner

About the Author

Christopher Wills is Professor of Biology at the University of California at San Diego. His books include Yellow Fever, Black Goddess and Children of Prometheus. Jeffrey Bada is Professor of Marine Chemistry and Director of the NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training in Exobiology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Buy Used

Condition: Very Good
Children of Prometheus: The Accelerating...
View this item

US$ 6.73 shipping from United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

Search results for Children Of Prometheus: The Accelerating Pace Of Human...

Stock Image

Christopher Wills
Published by Allen Lane, 1999
ISBN 10: 0713993480 ISBN 13: 9780713993486
Used Hardcover

Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Children of Prometheus: The Accelerating Pace of Human Evolution This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780713993486

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.11
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 6.73
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Wills, Christopher
Published by Allen Lane, 1999
ISBN 10: 0713993480 ISBN 13: 9780713993486
Used Hardcover

Seller: BoundlessBookstore, Wallingford, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Good condition. Light wear to boards. Content is clean and bright. Good DJ with light edge wear and creasing. Seller Inventory # 9999-9990404610

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 4.17
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 9.42
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

-
Published by - -, 1999
ISBN 10: 0713993480 ISBN 13: 9780713993486
Used Hardcover

Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780713993486

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 8.68
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 9.42
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Wills, C.
Published by Allen Lane, 1999
ISBN 10: 0713993480 ISBN 13: 9780713993486
Used Softcover

Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. Clean from markings. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,550grams, ISBN:0713993480. Seller Inventory # 9921335

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 3.87
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 17.46
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Wills, Christopher
ISBN 10: 0713993480 ISBN 13: 9780713993486
Used Hardcover First Edition

Seller: The Glass Key, Montmorillon, France

Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars 4-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Very good +. Dust Jacket Condition: very good +. First UK edition. First impression. 8vo. Pp ix + 310. Black cloth boards stamped in gilt on the spine. A clean, unmarked and tightly bound copy in unclipped dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 104891

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 11.12
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 14.06
From France to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Wills Christopher
Published by Allen Lane The Penquin Press, 1999
ISBN 10: 0713993480 ISBN 13: 9780713993486
Used Hardcover

Seller: Riverport Books of St. Ives (Cambridgeshire), St Ives, CAMBS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. A Very Clean And Tidy Well Cared-For Copy With Little Sign Of Wear. Seller Inventory # 100565

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 11.82
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 33.73
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Wills Christopher
ISBN 10: 0713993480 ISBN 13: 9780713993486
Used Hardcover

Seller: Marlowes Books and Music, Ferny Grove, QLD, Australia

Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars 4-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hard Cover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Reprint. 310 pages. Book and Jacket appear to have hardly been read and are both in Fine condition throughout. This Book Reveals A Human Future Rich With The Promise Of Increased Cultural And Genetic Diversity. Seller Inventory # 130974

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 13.84
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 50.00
From Australia to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket