"Jan Philips"  wrote in message
news:bfhtfg$2cli$1{at}darwin.ediacara.org...
> On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 22:24:09 +0000 (UTC),
wkutrent{at}yahoo.com (Trent
> Smith) wrote:
>
> >Well, think of it this way.  I teach in genetics that
there is a
> >stabilizing selection that keeps human head sizes at
birth in check.
> >Head too small--child is at an obvious disadvantage.
Head is too
> >big--he or she can't pass through the birth canal...but
wait, haven't
> >we all but eliminated that second selective pressure by
the widespread
> >use of C-sections?  I predict that head sizes at birth
will increase
> >(if in fact the initial statement about the reasons for
the stability
> >were true.)
>
> Could we get to the point were every baby's head is too
large to be
> born vaginally?

It's possible IMO. But not to worry--Huxley had it right in
_Brave New World_; within another century fertilization and
genenginering will usually occur in-vitro, and most birthing
will be decanting from "test tubes" which will use
artificial umbilicals and amniotic fluid....we probably
could do it today if we dared.           ...tonyC
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