Evolutionist Looks to Human Past, Future; LISA MATISOO-SMITH

By ELEVEN, Beck

Lisa Matisoo-Smith, principal investigator at the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, was in Christchurch this week for the Evolution 2007 conference. She explains how humans might make it to the next millennium.

You’re a professor in molecular anthropology. That’s a bit of a scientific mouthful.

Anthropology is the study of people. I study them at the molecular level — ancient and modern DNA. I study the things that people carried with them because dealing with human DNA has a lot of ethical issues. People aren’t happy to have their DNA studied because there are a lot of issues about control so I study the things they transported — dogs, rats, chickens and pigs.

So, what’s interesting about New Zealand from an anthropologist’s view?

For the study of evolution, New Zealand and the Pacific are great places to be. We’ve got all these wonderful plants and animals to study because so much of it is in relative isolation. We’ve got some of the most ancient human populations and some of the last places settled.

Is it virtually impossible for a scientist to be religious?

No, I don’t think so. Religion is a spiritual issue and evolution is a biological process. Many scientists have difficulty bringing those things together but many don’t. It would be difficult to be a fundamentalist Christian and an evolutionist though.

Are there some places where spirituality and evolution cross?

We talk about how all living organisms share a basic code … The fact that all living things share that code is an indication of common origin. Maori say they believe all things are connected through time and history.

Is it fair to say there are a lot of people out there, particularly on The Strip on a Friday night, who haven’t really evolved that far?

I think there are lots of interesting things out there.

What creature would you reanimate if you could?

That’s tough. (Pauses for long enough for monkeys to grow wings.) The Hobbit, Homo floresiensis because there are so many things it could be. If we had a live one we could take a cheek swab.

Are you kidding? You have the chance to communicate with a live Hobbit and all you want is to take a cheek swab?

That’s the scientist in me. The human body is fascinating to me.

But how can the study of evolution make the world a better place?

I think if people understand we are all connected then the world would be a better place.

Well, what are we going to look like in a million years? Two thumbs on each hand for texting?

Will we even be here in a million years? That’s the question. Humans have figured out how to manipulate things now. Just think what would happen if we didn’t have orthodontists pulling out wisdom teeth. We have a continuing reduction in the size of our jaw and if dentists weren’t pulling wisdom teeth, we’d die because they’d become impacted and get infected. It’s natural selection against people who have little tiny jaws. Antibiotic resistance is something else again. Everyone wants an antibiotic so they can get back to work quickly. Half the time those antibiotics aren’t necessary.

So, we should take more time off work instead of going to the doctor?

Yes, yes. And you shouldn’t take antibiotics unless it’s absolutely necessary because we’re creating bugs that are resistant to antibiotics and there will always be a few mutants that aren’t killed off. –Beck Eleven

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