When I started college at age 30, I couldn't remember how to add fractions. So I started with the simplest math class with a goal of a degree in Physical Therapy. As I went on I found that math was pretty interesting and with a right brain problem, biology was complicated. When I started to take applied math and then an intro physics class, well, I was hooked. It definitely was not easy, but I really liked Physics and ended with my undergrad degree in Physics/Electronics. To me it was challenging and I really enjoyed it. Fifteen years later I find the PhysicsForum.

The most interesting inheritable disease that gives an evolutionary edge might be favism. People with favism genetically lack a certain enzyme, and as a consequence, when they eat fava beans they get horribly sick, and can even die.

One might think that this condition would be present mainly in regions where fava beans don't grow. For example, fava beans grow in Africa but not Sweden, so it would seem that if Swedes lacked the enzyme it would be no big deal--Africans would have evolved to have the enzyme, but Swedes would not need it, and could evolutionarily lose the ability to produce it.

But the situation is quite the opposite! It is precisely in the regions where the beam grows that populations have a genetic predisposition to getting sick or killed by it.

What is happening is that the bean seriously damages blood cells in suspeptible people in such as way as to make it hard for the malaria parasite to grow in them. The bean is native to regions where malaria is rampant, and the people with the suseptibility live in those regions. Indeed the time the beans "ripen" coincides with the malaria season. So favism provides chemotherapy (with severe side effects) opportunity against malaria.

In a sense it is like the evolution of sickle cell anemia, but more complex and more interesting. Indeed because malaria has killed so many people there is a lot of selection pressure to counter it, even if countering it has negative effects. There are many genetic diseases besides sickle cell and favism that evolverd to resist malaria.

Another set of interesting genetic diseases are ones specific to Ashkenazi (Central and Eastern European ) Jews. In those regions the Church historically restricted Jews to certain jobs, jobs which turned uot to require more inteligence than typical jobs. So there was selection pressure for those people to be intelligent. Indeed, it is the case that Ashkenazi Jews score much higher on IQ tests than Sephardic Jews. Some of the genetic diseases specific to Ashkenazi Jews are diseases due to two atypical genes, but it is thought that carriers of only one atypical gene are genetically smarter.

Your title has an extra proposition. It should read: "Why take courses at what you excel" or "Why take courses in what you excel".

I've never read it, but from the brief bit you posted here, it sounds consistent with what we've taught for many years. The diseases don't really give the edge, but those with a mild case or heterozygous for the alleles that cause it might have an advantage against other conditions. For example, someone with sickle cell anemia will be very sick, but someone heterozygous for it has a better resistance against the malaria parasite.

There are a lot of medical conditions today that are side effects of a society where a lot of excess is available. Adaptations that might help one survive in times of famine are detrimental in times of excessive availability of foods.

And then there are things that have more to do with us living longer. People die of things now that they just never lived long enough to have in generations past. The genetics may have always been there, but it didn't matter because nobody lived long enough to know they'd experience it.

excel at or not is not the essential point, your interest does, i think

This is why I study physics. If I were smart enough to understand it, it wouldn't be worth all the time and money. I wouldn't say my biology courses are a total waste though -- I pick up a lot of things to use in conversation or to help blend in with bioscience folks.

I agree, my main studies in college were a total waste of my time because it didn't challenge me. Only my oddball electives were interesting and allowed me some growth.

My philosophy was..why would I go to college to learn something I already know? That is why I did not major in Computer Science. I studied math because I sucked at math. It is hard, humiliating, and humbling, but overall fascinating.

Just read this blog, but wanted to extend my condolences as well and also to say that dementia does allow for moments of clarity. My mom died of Alz a couple years ago, but she would have moments where she could speak clearly even after months of not talking. I really believe your mom probably at some point was able to take what you said to heart so perhaps it was not too late to offer your kind words.

I wish your family the best.

Thanks for sharing this, Evo. My condolences.

That's really sad. I guess one thing to learn from that: say what you have to say to your loved ones, don't wait. You never know when someone's time is up.

My condolences Evo.

I'm sorry to hear this Evo :(

My coping with the deaths of my parents from dementia (as you may have read before, Evo) is to volunteer at a mostly Medicare-bed nursing home. Yes, I am there for only two hours per week, but since long ago getting over the occasional smell or odd behavior, I still notice how grateful the residents and staff are to me. Small kindnesses are magnified multifold there. I never thought playing BINGO and singing with my friends could be so rewarding! Such an experience (15 years and counting) takes most fear out of dying.

Please allow me to offer my condolences over the death of your loved one.

I am new here, Evo, and will ask you forgive me if I presume too much to extend my condolences. My Mother has Alzheimers & is in a nursing home specializing in Alzeimer's care down in Texas. I have not seen her since she began to "forget" who I was ... I was the "favorite" of 8 children & she home-schooled me from a very early age to the point I was able to begin advanced classes when I started 1st Grade & finished High School by the time I was 15yrs old. To me, I wanted to always remember the intelligent & inquisitive Woman who had me reading books like "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Mark Twain" by the time I celibrated my 5th birthday ... not the one with the far-away look in her eye who didn't remember her favorite son. What Cristo said is very thought provoking ... I may go to Texas soon? What I wanted to say though , is that I empathize with you and your have my total support though it be from a stranger many miles away.
Peace fill your heart & the Light lift you to greater strength.

IRT the religion thread, Thanks Evo, it was just a query and I hope you wont take any offence. I agree it should of been closed and was just wondering why exactly.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

And your pm box is full.