Evolutionary medicine

Evolutionary medicine or Darwinian medicine is the field of knowledge that integrates medicine with evolutionary biology, more specifically with the adaptationist program.

The theory of evolution suggests that all living beings are the result of a process known as evolution by natural selection. This process occurs whenever genetically influenced variation among a population affects reproductive success. For instance, a genetic mutation that causes greater vulnerability to disease will decrease in frequency compared to its alternative allele that causes greater resistance to disease.

It is thought that evolution by natural selection produced the functional design observed in living beings, known as adaptations, and therefore sickness and disease can be explained through a cost v. benefit analysis of physiological function. Understanding evolutionary design helps medicical researchers explain phenomena like: infections, injury, intoxication, genetic diseases, aging, allergy, problems during childbirth, cancer and mental disorders.

A well-known example of the application of evolutionary medicine is the study of the evolutionary arms race between the body's defenses and pathogens. Other examples include human populations that have certain disease susceptibilities that arose as comprises allowing their survival. These include, sickle cell anemia protecting against malaria and hemochromatosis protecting against the bubonic plague.

Among the researchers in this field who have received recent recognition are: Paul W. Ewald, Randolph M. Nesse and George C. Williams.