Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Imagine No Malaria Booth
The Imagine No Malaria booth at the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Fla., is an example of the kind of information booths that will be on display at the 2016 gathering.
The theory of natural selection is based on Charles Darwin’s observation that all life forms have a variation of traits. He observed how the life forms with the best traits to survive in their environment tend to live long enough to procreate and pass on their traits to their offspring. Over time, the most advantageous traits will dominate the population while traits ill suited to an environment will die out.
In more complex life forms, this evolution can take place millions of years. In less complex life forms such as single-celled organisms, evolution can take place in a much shorter timeframe.
Jory Weintraub with the Duke Initiative for Science and Society said understanding evolutionary principles is essential in fighting many diseases. Malaria, which The United Methodist Church is working to combat, is a prime example.
“Because both the protozoan parasite and the mosquitoes that spread it are living organisms, they are constantly undergoing evolutionary changes, or changes over time.” Weintraub said. “These changes, however small they might seem, are often enough to allow the protozoan parasite and/or the mosquitoes to evade the actions of the drugs or chemicals that are intended to control them.”
For instance, one reason the World Health Organization recommends limiting the use of the insecticide DDT is not just because of its environmental effects but because overuse could lead to completely DDT-resistant mosquitoes.
“Understanding evolutionary principles allows us to be able to make predictions about how pathogens (like the protozoan parasite) or vectors (agents that spread disease, such as the mosquitoes) might change, and anticipating these changes is the key to controlling the disease,” Weintraub said.
Heather Hahn is a reporter for United Methodist News Service based in Nashville, Tenn.