The idea of "natural selection" or "survival of the fittest" seems to make sense in the Stone Age when we have to fight for food, but for now is a different story.

Evolution is often used as a substitute for the phrases "survival of the fittest" or "natural selection." In fact, these are not all the same. Evolution simply means gradual change in population over time.

"Natural selection" is a mechanism by which evolution can happen. For example, our Stone Age ancestors, those who ran faster were not trampled on by the mammoth and were more likely to have children. That is natural selection. Over time, the human population grows faster. That is evolution.

That makes sense for people of the Stone Age, but what about today? We don’t have to run faster than the mammoth, we have medicine when we are sick and we can go to the stores to get food.

Natural selection needs a selective pressure, for example the dangerous mammoth trampled on, so if we don’t have these anymore, does this mean we stop evolving?

However, even in the absence of selective pressure, the experts argue that evolution still occurs by other mechanisms.

Professor Stanley Ambrose, an anthropologist from the University of Illinois, explains that any change in gene ratio or variation over time is considered evolution. Variations may be functionally equivalent, so evolution doesn’t automatically mean improvement.

While some genes may be affected by natural selection, other changes in our DNA may not clearly affect us. Neutral variations can also be spread in populations by another mechanism known as genetics.

Genetic drift happens by accident. Some individuals may become unlucky and di‌e for reasons unrelated to their genes. Their unique genetic variants will not be passed on to the next generation, so the population will change. Genetic drift also doesn’t need any selection pressure and it is still happening today.

We have made things easier for ourselves but there are selective pressures around us, which means natural selection is still going on.

Like all mammals, humans lose milk when breastfeeding stops. This is because we stop making an enzyme called lactase. In European countries, there exists a specific genetic variation because of the existence of lactase, which is called -13910 * T. By studying this specific genetic modification in modern and ancient DNA samples, Researchers say it became popular after humans began domesticating and milking the animals.

Another example of humans undergoing natural selection to adapt to lifestyles is the Bajau, who traditionally live in boat houses in Southeast Asia and spend most of their lives scuba diving. or collect shellfish. Ultrasound imaging revealed that the Bajau had a larger spleen than their neighbors. This is an adaptation that allows them to stay underwater longer.

Around us there are always selective pressures, even pressures created by ourselves.

Dr. Benjamin Hunt from the University of Birmingham said: "Changes in our technology and culture alter the strength and composition of choice pressures in our environment, but choice pressures. still exist".

So evolution can occur under different mechanisms like natural selection and genetic drift. When our environment is always changing, natural selection always takes place.

Dr Alywyn Scally, an expert in evolution and genetics from Cambridge University, further explained: "As long as human reproduction is involved in genetic randomness and mutation, the laws of the universe ensure "It will always be true to some extent. There will continue to be differences from generation to generation, which means evolution can never really stop."