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PubMed · 16618683

Why is stress so deadly? An evolutionary perspective.

Lilach Hadany·Tuvik Beker·Ilan Eshel·Marcus W Feldman
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Abstract

The reaction of the body to prolonged stress has many harmful effects. Classical theory assumes that stress responses have evolved due to their short-term selective advantages ('flight or fight'), and despite their adverse long-term effects. In contrast, we demonstrate that the adverse effects of stress responses may have a selective advantage. Using an analytical model we show that a gene that causes the early death of a relatively unfit individual can increase in frequency in a structured population even if it has no positive effect on that individual. This result offers a new perspective on the relations between stress factors, stress responses and stress-related diseases.

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Cultural EvolutionFertilityGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHumansModels, PsychologicalStress, PsychologicalJournal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Lilach Hadany, Tuvik Beker, Ilan Eshel, Marcus W Feldman. 2006-04-07. Why is stress so deadly? An evolutionary perspective.. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2005.3384

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