Do you think that natural selection is being greatly hindered due to technology and economics? By technology, I mean such things as plastic surgery, makeup, prosthetic devices, etc. Economics can also play a role in enticing a mate that would normally not be a selection. Is interfering with natural selection going to cause humanity to suffer more illness because bad traits today can often be disguised?
Not at all. I think that MONEY is the reason that women do not choose men based on natural abilities but based on status and wealth. What people do with that money is the big problem for most of them only want more and become money whores.
I believe you have misunderstood the nature of natural selection. Your question seems to assume that there is some 'best' condition to which natural selection tends to drive organisms. You imagine that in a modern, 'protected' environment, 'weaker' traits will become more common. Well, these 'weaker' traits will become more common, but this is precisely because of natural selection. Natural selection is a process that tends to favour organisms that can function efficiently and effectively in a particular environment. They select organisms that are fittest for that environment, not for any other environment. Thus 'fittest' is a relative term, not an absolute one. Economics is one of the best indicators of fitness on the planet. Physically, mentally and socially 'fit' individuals are generally the most successful economically. Moreover females look to a mate who will be able to provide excellent support for their children. This is solid natural selection. Once the environment changes, but that has also been the case.
Interesting question. I would like to know how it is being hindered when it in fact does nothing. Will Provine perhaps described it best in his book: The Origins of Theoretical Population Genetics From page 199 (see above link): Natural selection DOES NOTHING. The true agents of change are cellular mechanisms. Mechanism, mechanisms, mechanisms, all wrapped up in a near universal and superbly optimal genetic code (wait for the discoveries on the epigenetic code) driven by biomolecular machines, quality control programs and variation inducers. Nano-intentional entities capable of manipulating information and biasing evolutionary trajectories. The intelligent set up of our genomes also allow us to adapt to future situations. For example: Although Our Genetics Differ Significantly, We All Look Alike Thanks to buffering, the necessary genetic variation is present to unfold to the needs of a given environment. Adaptation. No need for culling of weak genomes, the agents and mechanisms of change are present in living organisms to cope with future conditions. Seeing that natural selection does nothing and is myopic, it is striking to see these robust mechanisms being present in the genomes of organisms that prepare them for future adaptation... preadaptations.
There will still be selection, but it could be based on different requirements than existed in the past. One example is eyesight, few people are prevented from thriving due to poor eyesight, so it has become very common. New selection factors might include things like resistance to cancer from all the new chemicals we interact with, obesity and diabetes...
