Wow! eBook
Evolution and Medicine
Author(s): Robert Perlman (Author)
- Publisher: OUP Oxford
- Publication Date: 30 May 2013
- Edition: Illustrated
- Language: English
- Print length: 178 pages
- ISBN-10: 0199661715
- ISBN-13: 9780199661718
Book Description
The book interweaves the presentation of evolutionary principles with examples that illustrate how an evolutionary perspective enhances our understanding of disease. It 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, incorporating the latest research in rapidly developing fields such as epigenetics and the study of the human microbiome. The book concludes 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. This accessible text is written primarily for physicians, biomedical scientists, and both premedical and medical students, and will appeal to all readers with a background or interest in medicine.
Editorial Reviews
Review
medicine beyond the more generalized and popular writings ―
Wenda Trevathan, Reports of the National Center for Science EducationJournal of Public HealthI would hope that it might become simply standard reading for just about anyone interested in health care. ―
Michael Ruse, the Evolution and Medicine ReviewIt is good to see evolutionary medicine come into its own as a discipline, and I can recommend Evolution and Medicine to those looking for an overview of the foundations of this fascinating field. ―
American Journal of Human BiologyHis [Perlman] choice of subject is so astute, and his writing is so engaging and lucid that I plan to use it as a textbook. ―
Michael A. Bell, The Quarterly Review of BiologyPerlman outlines his view of evolutionary medicine in a crisply written, 11-chapter primer. It is exceptionally accessible … and I genuinely enjoyed reading it and believe that it will help students … understand why evolution matters for medicine, public health, and biomedical research. ―
Daniel T. Blumstein, Trends in Ecology & EvolutionThe book is written in a concise manner and the prose is clear, with minimal associated jargon. I would gladly recommend this volume to new medical students and practicing physicians alike, as it will surely help them to recognize the deeper evolutionary explanations behind many human diseases. ―
Daniel Promislow. Evolution, Medicine and Public Health.[in this] lovely and highly welcome book Perlman brings an important dimension to this debate, which is that the implications for the understanding of medicine are important. His chapters on aging, cancer, host-pathogen coevolution, sexually transmitted diseases, malaria, gene-culture evolution, and man-made diseases are full of insights. ―
Denis Noble, The PhysiologistRobert L. Perlman’s
Evolution and Medicine [..] offers a series of examples that beautifully illustrates the relevance of evolutionary thinking in medicine. ― Pierre-Olivier Méthot, Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical SciencesThe well-researched and documented work includes key up-to-date papers. It makes a nice introduction to this timely topic. Highly Recommended. ―
J. E. Platz, Choice
