How many species of human?

[Wraith]

Was watching TV a few minutes ago and saw that there are some medicines out for men that females can't even handle due to the potential to produce kids with birth defects. That got me thinking, what are the differences between humans. I looked up the definition of species, and am still generally confused. Basically, it said that major appearance differences mean different species, and that species can mate with each other, with certain exceptions. now for the record, I don't want this to turn into a race thing, but my curiosity spawned from the fact that we are all classified as homo sapiens, but how many species are there? ie. Canis Lupis is a wolf, where canus domesticus is a dog. Do we disguise our differences by race, i.e asian, african-american, caucasian, to keep those that cry injustice at the slightest drop of a hat, or are we really different species? I know at least one on here with formal biologist training, Jon, so any insight would be cool. :)

[CAMELEON]

This could be interesting .....

[95Dakota]

I was trained that we are all Homo sapiens _race_ (based on Genus specie race). However, one must consider that the human specie also developed this very classification system. As we all know, that opens a very wide door to varying interpretations.

Without opening a big box of worms, frankly I believe the majority of people on this forum are either too ignorant, too biased (perhaps both), to keep this conversation civil. My personal belief (read: OPINION) is that we do indeed classify various species of humans and differing races.

[Wraith]

yeah, I was hoping that this could be kept civil without going down the obvious path. thanks for not locking too soon...

[95Dakota]

Tom, if you're truely interested, and supremely bored... I'll bring you a few genetics and phylogeny books to read through. Personally, I'd rather give myself a vasectomy with a spork than study that shit again, but hey... you're already snipped! :D

[LT1 in a 95 9c1]

The real question is just how much of a difference, a mutation, an evolutionary step, classifies how we as a species are cataloged?

[danno]

ie. Canis Lupis is a wolf, where canus domesticus is a dog. Do we disguise our differences by race, i.e asian, african-american, caucasian, to keep those that cry injustice at the slightest drop of a hat, or are we really different species? I know at least one on here with formal biologist training, Jon, so any insight would be cool. :)

Using that example (canine) wouldn't the different races be different breeds of the same species?

[SilkE]

Using that example (canine) wouldn't the different races be different breeds of the same species?

That makes a lot of sense. Googling the question, I found this interesting theory about human species in the future:


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_page_id=1965&in_article_id=489653

I'd love the coffee colored skin!!!!

[Dragline]

I am of the species Bigis Sexyus

[sprayedsnake]

Using that example (canine) wouldn't the different races be different breeds of the same species?

yes except for the fact that dog breeds were generated through restricted mating controlled by humans. Race is generated through restricted mating based on location/geographical limitations. Doesn't make a difference. There's only one species of dog.

All humans are of the same species. Prove it any different, and you may be well compensated by the scientific community.

[Wraith]

Using that example (canine) wouldn't the different races be different breeds of the same species?

I would assume you are correct in that both Great Danes and Chiuahuas(sp) are both canis domesticus. But they are different, right? would we call them different races among dogs? So what happens when we breed canis lupus with canis domesticus? new species? OK, maybe time to put the gin away, as now I am confusing myself... :)

and based on Karen's article, I'd love a bigger unit.... :D

[Starz T/A 17]

as someone already said earlier its all about evolution and has nothing to do with race or skin color. Appearance makes up less then 1 percent of our DNA IF that it might actually be less, and not one race is better then another its all about origins and adaption to your environment. Such as dark skin is the primary skin color in Africa b/c its so hot and close to the equator. As all other phsyical features humans have it for a reason. In Anthropology my teacher found it ironic b/c there is so much fighting and discrimination based on apperance even though we are ALL 99% EXACTLY the same, I know wikipedia isnt the best but this is a decent basic list of the genus group homo...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_evolution

EDIT: most of the other species in the genus homo are extinct, I dont think there are any still living today

[Foxbody Jess]

I am of the species Bigis Sexyus

:lmao:

[danno]

yes except for the fact that dog breeds were generated through restricted mating controlled by humans. Race is generated through restricted mating based on location/geographical limitations. Doesn't make a difference. There's only one species of dog.

All humans are of the same species. Prove it any different, and you may be well compensated by the scientific community.


Isn't that just what I said, that we are all one species? By your example race and breed are both defined by restricted mating, so wouldn't that make them the same regardless of the controlling factor?

[95Dakota]

EDIT: most of the other species in the genus homo are extinct, I dont think there are any still living today

Correction, the OP is proof of that. Everyone knows that Tom is Homo sapien erectusformens

[Wraith]

yeah, but your wife just calls me homo erectus hugeus...
Damn, another out of bounds jest.... sorry... ;)

[sprayedsnake]

Isn't that just what I said, that we are all one species? By your example race and breed are both defined by restricted mating, so wouldn't that make them the same regardless of the controlling factor?

whoa there, charles darwin. I wasn't blasting what you said, I was adding to your comment and addressing the original poster. :stick:

Besides, I think restricted mating sucks. I keep bringing that up to my wife, but to this point, I'm not making any headway in that argument. :hello:

[sprayedsnake]

Homo sapien erectusformens

:lmao:damn that's funny!

[danno]

whoa there, charles darwin. I wasn't blasting what you said, I was adding to your comment and addressing the original poster. :stick:

Besides, I think restricted mating sucks. I keep bringing that up to my wife, but to this point, I'm not making any headway in that argument. :hello:

I didn't think you were.

[JUGRNAUT]

I am of the species Bigis Sexyus


lol


I am of the species Baddus Motherfuckerus (of the onthaplanet family)

[Wolfpack]

Besides, I think restricted mating sucks. I keep bringing that up to my wife, but to this point, I'm not making any headway in that argument. :hello:

LMAO.



And Tom. Step away from the gin.

It's an interesting argument and we could have a cool discussion about this over some beers with SOME people on this board. But not all of them.

[Red01WS6]

I'm not allowed to say that anyone is even remotely different from the next person. I'm supposed to claim we are all the same, identical in every way.





Sarcasm filter turned off, it would be interesting to see if there were DNA differences among different cultures in the world; specifically modern society people v/s tribal people who have never been exposed to the outside world.

[badcompany]

i dont agree with the "bravo evolutionary report" i mean why would people evlove and then "de-evolve" evolution is basically survival of the fittest or changing to live better, long, stronger in your enviroment. if we evolved to lets say not get eaten by lions why would we "de-evolve" to go back to being lion food. i dont get it, maybe someone could explain it more.

[CAMELEON]

i dont agree with the "bravo evolutionary report" i mean why would people evlove and then "de-evolve" evolution is basically survival of the fittest or changing to live better, long, stronger in your enviroment. if we evolved to lets say not get eaten by lions why would we "de-evolve" to go back to being lion food. i dont get it, maybe someone could explain it more.

Because of technology and medical advancements. If you agree with stricy evolution, genetically inferior people ( those perceived as ugly, slow, weak, stupid, etc. ) would have fewer chances to mate strengthening the gene pool. Advances in medicine allow people to overcome a lot of medical problems that would have taken them out of the gene pool previously. Technology levels a lot of the strength and stamina benefits.

[sprayedsnake]

Because of technology and medical advancements. If you agree with stricy evolution, genetically inferior people ( those perceived as ugly, slow, weak, stupid, etc. ) would have fewer chances to mate strengthening the gene pool. Advances in medicine allow people to overcome a lot of medical problems that would have taken them out of the gene pool previously. Technology levels a lot of the strength and stamina benefits.

+1. Laws and safety mechanisms are making us dumber by the minute. Imagine how many folks would have rid us of their stupidity if there were no such thing as seatbelts... but instead... they live to breed.