How does evolution affect our lives?

Many believe that because evolution in large mammals typically occurs over hundreds or thousands of years, it is irrelevant to humans. However, some aspects of human evolution appear to have occurred relatively recently—a few hundred years or so—such as lactose intolerance.

More immediate than that, however, is the fact that bacteria, viruses, and parasites can evolve over periods of time measured in days, weeks, or months. For this reason, even if you feel better after a few days, you should follow your doctor's instructions and take an anti-biototic prescription until the infection is completely gone. Otherwise, some bacteria that are resistant to the anti-bacteria medication will thrive and take over, and you will probably become sick again—this time with a strain of bacteria that may have evolved to be resistant to the medication.

Evolution influences various aspects of human lives, including medicine, agriculture, and technology. Understanding evolutionary processes helps in developing antibiotics and vaccines, breeding crops for resistance to pests and diseases, and designing efficient algorithms and artificial intelligence systems. Additionally, evolutionary theory shapes our understanding of the natural world, human behavior, and our place in the ecosystem.