Darwin's Reach

21st Century Applications of Evolutionary Biology

Norman A. Johnson

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9781032885445
  9781032885452
• Edition: 2
• eBook ISBN:
  9781040662656
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Biology
• Index: Biological Sciences

The application of evolutionary biology addresses a wide range of practical problems in medicine, agriculture, the environment, and society. Such cutting-edge applications are emerging due to recent advances in DNA sequencing, new gene editing tools, and computational methods. This book is about applied evolution – the application of the principles of and information about evolutionary biology to diverse practical matters. Although applied evolution has existed, unrecognized, for a very long time, today's version has a much wider scope. Evolutionary medicine has formed into its own discipline. Evolutionary approaches have long been employed in agriculture and in conservation biology. But Darwin's reach now extends beyond just these three fields. It now also includes forensic biology and the law. Ideas from evolutionary biology can be used to inform policy regarding foreign affairs and national security. Applied evolution is not only interdisciplinary, but also multidisciplinary. Consequently, this book is for experts in one field who are interested in expanding their evolutionary horizons. It is also for students, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the public relations challenges faced by evolutionary biology is that most people do not see it being all that relevant to their daily lives. Even many who accept evolution do not grasp how far Darwin's reach extends. Darwin's Reach will change that perception. In addition, three new chapters have been added. One focuses on what we know about the origin and continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. Another focuses on the threat to cattle and humans from avian influenza. A third investigates evolution in livestock breeding.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Preface to the Second Edition
• Preface to the First Edition
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Introduction: What Is Evolution and Why Is It Important?
• Chapter 1 Paging Dr. Darwin: Evolutionary Medicine in the 21st Century
• Chapter 2 Going Viral: Evolution and Viral Diseases
• Chapter 3 The First Six Years of Covid: Its Origins and Its Continuing Evolution
• Chapter 4 Avian Flu
• Chapter 5 Vectors of Disease
• Chapter 6 Mismatch: Are We Stuck with Our Past?
• Chapter 7 From Genetic Mapping to Personalized Medicine
• Chapter 8 Cancer: Darwin Meets the Emperor of All Maladies
• Chapter 9 Human Life History
• Chapter 10 Darwin at the Farm
• Chapter 11 Managing Agriculture
• Chapter 12 Buccaneers of Buzz: Bees and Pollination Services
• Chapter 13 Darwinian Meat
• Chapter 14 The Biodiversity Crisis
• Chapter 15 Challenges in the Oceans
• Chapter 16 Challenges in the City
• Chapter 17 Challenge from Invasive Species
• Chapter 18 The Sequence on the Stand
• Chapter 19 Darwinian Security
• Chapter 20 Human Genetic Diversity and the Non-Existence of Biological Races
• Epilogue: Lessons Learned
• References
• Index