The age of Planet Earth has been estimated at about 4.5 billion (4,500 crore) years through methods employed by chemists. The multitude of life forms, particularly flora and fauna, hosted by soil, water and air, both as surviving to this day and those that have moved to the pages of the long history of the Planet make a fascinating study to the informed and also the lay kind, amidst two schools of views, one being creationists and the other evolutionists, keeping aside the former marked by irreconcilable differences in their views, languishing without convincing proof, the latter also being questioned in some circles have caused widespread debates on the origins of species and subsequent many landmark events that tell the fascinating story of evolution, particularly of humankind. The name of naturalist and biologist Charles Darwin (1809-1881) stands out in the context of revolutionary ideas at the root of his theory of natural selection setting forth the modern evolutionary synthesis.

All species constituting the life forms that have made Planet Earth their home are known to have emerged, lived and perished in compliance of natural selection theory of Darwin except the human species indulging in meddlesome intervention such as in vitro fertilisation, genetic modification, DNA technology, seeking remedies and cures for diseases using drugs as well as invasive and non-invasive methods. Thus, the phenomenon of evolution of human species began the story behind the present profile of humans.

The factors to be reckoned with while seeking the explanation for marked changes of species in their entire range including morphological, physical, physiological and others fall into distinct classes in respect of human species and the rest of life forms. The most important and glaring factor impacting the process of evolution of human species seems to be those that can be briefly stated as sociological, particularly restricted intermixing of people of different faith, ethnicity, regions and so on. Thanks to modern means of communication and speedily commuting between places separated by long distances, such intermixing seems to have become vigorous and extensive, as a result of advances in science and technology.

A report published in a section of the press early this week throws more light on human evolution involving intervention by certain class of urbanites. Couples are reportedly demanding sperms of donors with fair complexion, good looks, high IQ, academic excellence, freedom from diseases and disorders, degrees from prestigious institutions and so on. The story of enabling evolution of the human species seems to be getting more exciting than ever before.