The Genetic Lottery

Fitness

• An organism's ability to reproduce
• "Biologically programmed to admire"
• How well genes are passed on

Species do NOT evolve out of necessity

Genetic lottery is systematically driven by natural selection

Genetic lottery in society?

Summary

• fitness = reproduction
• species do NOT choose to evolve
• genetic drift and mutation are random
• natural selection is systematic

Thirsty Birds Lab

Big Questions

• Are humans subject to natural selection?
• Will pollution influence evolution?

Amsterdam