We Started as One, Will We End as One?

This year in Scientific Revolutions we have learned about a lot of influential people. Darwin, with his theory of evolution, perhaps had the most influence on the people of his time and the generations to come. His theory of evolution essentially explains the origin of species through very simplistic organisms changing to adapt to their environment. As Darwin states in his book "On the Origin of Species", "it is the most flourishing and dominant species of the larger genera which on average vary most; and varieties, as we shall hereafter see, tend to become converted into new and distinct species."(Appleman 107). Over millions of years, these changes to adapt their environments have allowed them to evolve into the multitude of species that we have on earth now. To explain the species that adapt to survive, Darwin developed a theory that he called Natural Selection. Darwin states "individuals having any advantage, however slight, over others, would have the best chance of surviving and of procreating their kind."(Appleman 111-112). This is sometimes referred to as "survival of the fittest".

One of the discoveries that is related to Darwin's research is the theory that all of the human race originated in Africa. Through DNA back tracking, scientist were able to come to the conclusion that we all did originate in Africa. They also found that we all started as the same "race", or we all had the same color skin. We all had dark skin because it was useful for blocking out the strong rays from the sun. The skin needs to absorb vitamin D from the UV rays that the sun provides. Being near the equator however, it is unnecessary to absorb that much UV light. This is why humans had dark skin. When humans began to migrate out of Africa to colder climates, the sun's UV rays were not as strong and people began to evolve with lighter skin in order to take in more vitamin D.

My revelation this from learning about Darwin is that Darwin's theory of evolution helps to explain our origins but it can also help us predict what is going to happen in the future. Humans began as one skin tone and then evolved into different tones based on their environment. Due to integration, and less need for vitamin D from the sun, it is entirely possible that over the course of thousands of years that we will evolve back into one skin tone. In today's world there is much less segregation of people of different "races". There are many more interracial couples reproducing making children with less defined skin tones. Another major reason for the differentiation in skin tone, evolutionary wise, is the absorption of vitamin D. Today many of the foods we eat and drink are fortified with vitamin D. This gives our bodies another source of vitamin D, making the sun's supply of vitamin D much less crucial. Over the thousands of years, or perhaps much longer, it is very possible that because of these changes we will develop back in to one skin color.

This South Park clip shows people from the future where variation in race is not existent. There are some other parts in this video that are a parody of illegal immigration but it does get the point across that I am trying to make.



“Goobacks Tookerjerbs”. Youtube.com. September 01, 2008. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_gjI67QiqQ).

Appleman, Philip, ed. Darwin. 3rd ed. New York: W.W.Norton, 2001. 107.

Appleman, Philip, ed. Darwin. 3rd ed. New York: W.W.Norton, 2001. 111-112.

For more information on Appleman or other course readings click here.