A 300,000-Year History of Human Evolution - Robin May

The species we recognise as our own - anatomically modern humans - has existed for only 300,000 years, a blink of an eye in evolutionary terms. And yet during that time our species has been shaped by strong evolutionary forces, often unwittingly as an indirect result of human activities.

In this lecture, we’ll find out how disease outbreaks, the rise of civilisation and even the invention of agriculture have left their traces in our DNA.

This lecture was recorded by Robin May on 7th February 2024 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London

Robin is Gresham Professor of Physic.

He is also Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Professor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[StrollingwithStella]

After leaving my old religion, I developed a voracious appetite for lectures like this, I immensely enjoyed the lecture and the question and answer that follows. Thank you for posting this. Will be binging more lectures. Thank you again.

[angeluomo]

A truly excellent lecture. Many thanks for posting this. Looking forward to more from Prof. May.

[williamwenrich]

There is a significant impact of grandparents on their grandchildren’s lives.

[sfkcfly]

This was a wonderful lecture to listen to. I enjoyed its interesting content as well as the very fair and engaging professor.

[hasato-e]

Professor Robin May is star. Thank you.

[ronbyers]

There are several species who have grandmothers in important roles that are important to the survival and training of babies. They include elephants, humans, orcas and three species of whales.

[cengizbaykara]

Thank you very much for this such an informative video .

[BallyBoy]

I cannot get enough of Robin May. Truly captivatint speaker.

[tankej]

Wonderful talk. I can't wait for the upcoming lectures by Prof. May!

[cornelisberndsen]

Very enlightening, hugely informative, excellent lecture. Many thanks!

[harrisonandrew]

Absolutely Fabulous - so stimulating and thought provoking. Loved it.

[balancius]

Not true, if i am old and cant have baby i can still invent something and influence evolution like that

[earthjustice]

Grandparents can make a difference to the survival of their grandchildren.

[kinglyzard]

26:15
Dogs helped us learn how to keep and domesticate other animals

[jobl]

Grandparents not only impact the care of their children. They impact the survival of their grandchildren and it’s not uncommon to take care of their grandchildren

[venkataponnaganti]

A wonderful presentation. Thanks, Prof. Robin May

[RichardEnglander]

22:50 i remember in the pandemic them blaming differential outcomes between ethnic groups on racism. I said it was likely genetics and vitamin D.
I was called a racist, they will never apologise

[noelmorris]

Wonderful lecture, very thought provoking and insightful.

[silaskelly]

It is my understanding that I have around 4% Neanderthal DNA, including the OAS gene which is related to immune response and indeed I got my covid shots, but got covid anyway, with a reaction of a very mild head cold. But this beneficial gene comes with a down side of immune responses that can be actually damaging. I have arthritis which is unpleasant, but not until after reproductive age. My oldest son died from an auto-immune disease at age 6 and my youngest daughter developed lupus at about age 5 which was unpleasant, but not anything that would interfere with reproduction and she lived to age 50.

[hdoak]

I have twin sons. They are English, Irish and German for the most part. They were born with celiacs dease/lactose intolerance. This is a very difficult condition to survive eating a Western Diet. They almost died. I attribute this condition to having a limited genetic pool to come from. After learning about their condition and modifying the diet, they started to thrive. Our conclusion was that they should NOT marry a causation and told them this and why. Both sons married from a gene pool as far from New England as they could get, They married mainland Chinese. My grandson was tested for celiacs and was negative. Neither he or his cousin show any signs of this genetic defect. Both are very intelligent and express superior qualities from the general population. This confirms that hybrid breeding within the species is the best for the entire population.