Freethought & Rationalism Archive

cricket · 12-10-2002, 06:53 PM

MrDarwin posted this on the "homosexuality and genetics" thread:

Quote:

Researcher Chris McManus has come up with an interesting theory on the genetics of handedness; from The Biology of Handedness:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The real question is why everyone wants left-handers to be defective," says Chris McManus, a neuropsychologist at University College London whose genetic model of handedness is one of the most widely accepted in the field. According to his model, lefties are, if not more evolved, at least more recent arrivals on the hominid scene�the product of a second mutation that occurred somewhere between 20,000 and 100,000 years ago, long after right-handedness became the norm. This mutation, rather than directly coding for left-handedness, simply cancels out the bias to the right, giving those who inherit it a 50-50 chance of ending up left-handed.

As a leftie, my ears perked up when i read this. "lefties are, if not more evolved, at least more recent arrivals ..."

Sounds like we *are* more evolved, but he's trying not to hurt any feelings.

Political correctness, and all.

(I've always known I was better off being left-handed, as I TROUNCE unfortunate right-handed racquetball opponents.)

Excidius · 12-10-2002, 09:48 PM

Yeah, but evolution doesn't necessarily imply change for the better. Genes can be introduced into the gene pool that are better, worse or neutral. The fact that Left-handedness was introduced into the gene pool of human beings after right-handedness does not imply that it is better, worse or neutral.

Being a lefty does not endow you with any characteristics I can see that would improve your chances for survival or mating. Unless winning in Racquetball wins you members of the opposite sex.

Camaban · 12-10-2002, 09:58 PM

*sigh*

much like the neanderthal (in many ways) you're little more than a detrimental offshoot that will be bred out sooner rather than later because of your sheer inadequacy compared to us righties (see, we're RIGHT!)

cricket · 12-10-2002, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Unless winning in Racquetball wins you members of the opposite sex.

It does but by then their libido is shriveled.

theyeti · 12-11-2002, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cricket:
<strong>
As a leftie, my ears perked up when i read this. "lefties are, if not more evolved, at least more recent arrivals ..."

Sounds like we *are* more evolved, but he's trying not to hurt any feelings.

Political correctness, and all.

</strong>

Yeah, but myopia is probably a recent arrival too.

theyeti

gravitybow · 12-12-2002, 07:05 AM

Quote:

cricket:
As a leftie, my ears perked up...

As a leftie, my ears stay in one place when I hear noises. Guess I'm just a little lower on the evolutionary ladder.

Secular Pinoy · 12-12-2002, 11:39 PM

I write and play ping-pong with my right, but I play basketball and tenpins with my left. That makes me a transitional form!

frostymama · 12-16-2002, 05:05 AM

My sister has been both. She was definitely right handed when she was a toddler, but at 18 months old she had a massive seizure and was paralyzed on the right side of her body for a couple of months. She regained full sensation and use of her right hand not long after the seizure, but she is now left handed.

cricket · 12-16-2002, 10:22 AM

That's interesting! Is it that she became proficient grabbing things w/ left hand during her recovery? Or was it actual re-wiring that was going on? Any theories?

Later on did she have any tendencies to try new activites (golf, guitar, etc) with right hand, or is she left-handed now in every way?

frostymama · 12-16-2002, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cricket:
<strong>That's interesting! Is it that she became proficient grabbing things w/ left hand during her recovery? Or was it actual re-wiring that was going on? Any theories?

Later on did she have any tendencies to try new activites (golf, guitar, etc) with right hand, or is she left-handed now in every way?</strong>

I'm really not sure since I was only 3 at the time. I do remember that for a while she was not normal. She regressed alot and had to learn stuff all over again. When she walked she drug the right side of her body and at night she would lay in her crib and bang her head against the wall.

She seized for like 45 minutes and coded on the way to the hospital. Mom says that there was some extensive brain damage. According to all the scans that they did part of her brain was completely inactive. The doctors advised my parents that she would most likely be a vegetable and it would be best for everyone if they sent her away to a special school/institution. Somehow the damage suddenly reversed itself. The doctors were baffled and of course my parents swore that "Goddidit!" After numerous test I don't think they ever figured out how she recovered.

She does have normal use of her right hand, but she is completely left handed now. She also has above average intelligence. I guess her brain just re-wired itself or something.

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12-10-2002, 09:48 PM	#2
Excidius Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 22	Yeah, but evolution doesn't necessarily imply change for the better. Genes can be introduced into the gene pool that are better, worse or neutral. The fact that Left-handedness was introduced into the gene pool of human beings after right-handedness does not imply that it is better, worse or neutral. Being a lefty does not endow you with any characteristics I can see that would improve your chances for survival or mating. Unless winning in Racquetball wins you members of the opposite sex.

12-10-2002, 09:58 PM	#3
Camaban Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 473	sigh much like the neanderthal (in many ways) you're little more than a detrimental offshoot that will be bred out sooner rather than later because of your sheer inadequacy compared to us righties (see, we're RIGHT!)

12-12-2002, 11:39 PM	#7
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	I write and play ping-pong with my right, but I play basketball and tenpins with my left. That makes me a transitional form!

12-16-2002, 05:05 AM	#8
frostymama Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Georgia USA Posts: 927	My sister has been both. She was definitely right handed when she was a toddler, but at 18 months old she had a massive seizure and was paralyzed on the right side of her body for a couple of months. She regained full sensation and use of her right hand not long after the seizure, but she is now left handed.

12-16-2002, 10:22 AM	#9
cricket Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St Louis MO USA Posts: 1,188	That's interesting! Is it that she became proficient grabbing things w/ left hand during her recovery? Or was it actual re-wiring that was going on? Any theories? Later on did she have any tendencies to try new activites (golf, guitar, etc) with right hand, or is she left-handed now in every way?

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