1) The document discusses limitations of the selfish gene theory of evolution and promotion of reductionism in biology. It argues aging does not fit with selfish gene theory and population dynamics are key to understanding evolution. 2) It notes that population regulation evolves to stabilize ecosystems, explaining the evolution of aging. A new understanding of aging's purpose changes the focus of medical research. 3) The future of humanity depends on taking our bodies, communities, and ecosystems into the future as consciousness is more than just computation and full quantum simulations may be impractical.

1. Evolution of Ecosystems
and
the Future of Humanity
Josh Mitteldorf
Pathways to Indefinite Lifespans
University of Nicosia
24 May 2014

2. 1) Selfish Gene theory – how it came to be the
dominant model; what is wrong with it.
2) Reductionism in physics and biology.
3) Aging – a great failure of Selfish Gene Theory
4) Population Dynamics is what is missing from
Selfish Gene theory
5) New understanding of evolution changes
Medicinal Research
6) The future of human life depends on ecosystems
Evolution of Ecosystems and
the Future of Humanity

3. The Selfish Gene
dominant evolutionary theory 50 yrs
● Every gene for itself
● Pure competition
● All examples of cooperation or altruism in nature
presumed to be an illusion from Inclusive Fitness
● Connections to Capitalism and to class privilege
(Social Darwinism)

4. Reductionism
in Physics and Evolution
● Break down the system into simple, independent
components
● Study the components in isolation
● Use statistics to understand how they behave
together.
● Quantum Mechanics (1926): Physicists realized
reductionism is no longer valid.
● Biologists do not yet realize Reductionism is not
valid for Evolution

5. “Thus, biology...must choose [to] break free of
reductionist hegemony, reintegrate itself, and
press forward once more as a fundamental
science. The latter course means an emphasis on
holistic, ‘nonlinear,’ emergent biology—with
understanding evolution and the nature of
biological form as the primary, defining goals of a
new biology...
One would be hard put to explain evolution
and the problem of biological form in
reductionist terms alone.”
- Carl Woese

6. Aging
doesn’t fit with the Selfish Gene
● Aging cannot be adaptive for the individual
● But there are genes for aging
● And these genes are very old, universal
● Natural Selection has preserved aging, so it must
have a purpose.
● But the purpose must be for the community, because
there is only harm for the individual.
● Hormesis: Leveling out the death rate in good times
and harsh times.

7. Population Dynamics
the key to understanding what’s
wrong with the Selfish Gene
● Selfish Gene theory assumes a stable environment
while gene frequency changes more rapidly
● Assumes that the total population remains stable at
its carrying capacity
● In reality populations can change fast, even within
one lifetime.

8. Reindeer Population
of St Matthews Island

9. Population Dynamics
the key to understanding what’s
wrong with the Selfish Gene
● In Selfish Gene theory, population regulation cannot
evolve. The cost to the individual is fast, the group
benefit slow.
● In simulations and in reality, it is easy to see
evolution of population regulation.
● Aging helps to stabilize ecosystems. This explains
why aging has evolved, and why the genes for aging
persist.

10. A New Understanding
of Aging
changes the face of medical research
● “Natural Medicine” is good for many things but it
cannot address aging.
● We cannot slow aging by “helping the body”
because the body is trying to die.
● But we can use signaling to tell the body it is
young.
– Hormones / Youthful gene expression
– Lengthening telomeres

11. The Human Future
● What is consciousness? I do not believe it is a
function of computation alone.
● Full quantum simulations may be huge and
impractical
● Humans will take into the future
– Our Bodies
– Our Communities
– Our Ecosystems