Norbert Gleicher1. 1. Center for Human Reproduction, New York, New York, USA. chrjournal@aol.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the hypothesis that the increasing prevalence of some polygenetically inherited conditions, may, to a degree, be the consequence of treatment successes of modern health care that have overcome evolutionary blocks to reproductive success. DESIGN: Hypothesis, based on a selective review of the literature. SETTING: University-affiliated private infertility center. Patient(s)None. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Occurrence of polygenetically inherited diseases. RESULT(S): Successfully treated evolutionary blocks to the inheritance of polygenetically inherited diseases result in an increased prevalence of these diseases in subsequent generations. CONCLUSION(S): Evolutionary processes have erected barriers to successful reproduction for many polygenetically inherited diseases, which are now overcome by successful treatment, leading to an increased prevalence, younger age of occurrence, and greater severity of these diseases in next generation offspring.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the hypothesis that the increasing prevalence of some polygenetically inherited conditions, may, to a degree, be the consequence of treatment successes of modern health care that have overcome evolutionary blocks to reproductive success. DESIGN: Hypothesis, based on a selective review of the literature. SETTING: University-affiliated private infertility center. Patient(s)None. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Occurrence of polygenetically inherited diseases. RESULT(S): Successfully treated evolutionary blocks to the inheritance of polygenetically inherited diseases result in an increased prevalence of these diseases in subsequent generations. CONCLUSION(S): Evolutionary processes have erected barriers to successful reproduction for many polygenetically inherited diseases, which are now overcome by successful treatment, leading to an increased prevalence, younger age of occurrence, and greater severity of these diseases in next generation offspring.