A consequence of sexual reproduction is that the two sets of genes of
the parents get reassorted by independent selection of each chromosome
from either one parent or the other, as well as recombination by
crossing over that occurs in meiosis.  By mixing up the genes in each
individual, selection occurs more rapidly because there are more
distinct individuals to select from.  In this way, sexual reproduction
speeds evolution.  However, I would not say that humans are any more
evolved than sunflowers.  Each solved the problems posed by their
environment in different, but as complex, ways.



On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 04:59:25 +0000 (UTC), John Leonard
 wrote:

>Hello,
>
>	What is the opinion of the members of this group regarding this notion:
>
>	That sexual reproduction, of the kind that Humans practice, may 
>increase the rate at which a species improves genetically as well as the 
>rate at which it can adapt to changes in its environment.
>
>	Two suggested reasons for this effect are:
>
>1) 	This kind of reproduction creates a collection of individuals 
>(almost) all of whom are genetically unique. This increases the range of 
>genetic diversity from which to draw upon as a resource when confronted 
>by an environmental challenge.
>
>2) 	Furthermore, male competition constitutes an additional stage of 
>refinement that pits genomes against one another in order to measure the 
>relative fitness of each.
>
>	I am asking this question because I am struck by the observation that 
>Humans, although not necessarily superior to other species, seem to have 
>"traveled the farthest distance" evolutionarily, of any species. At 
>least insofar as cognition and information processing are concerned. It 
>seems that we have gone "a greater distance" in this respect, from our 
>starting point (of, say, the anemone?), than other types of organisms. 
>All things being equal, I might expect organisms capable of asexual 
>reproduction to be better equipped for survival since their line will 
>not die out simply because they are separated from an individual of the 
>opposite sex.
>
>	So, back to my question, what is the current opinion of practitioners 
>in this field of the idea that restricting organisms to sexual 
>reproduction may, in the long run, increase the rate at which they evolve?
>
>Thank You,
>John Leonard
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