Can a disorder like Schizophrenia be phased out of human existence through evolution?

The link is a study of the prevalence of schizophrenia over time, which appears to have increased during the Industrial Revolution, but seems to be on the decline in almost all developing countries since 1960. The article also cites evidence that schizophrenia has existed for at least several millenia.

The causes of schizophrenia is believed to be genetic. At the very least, a person has to be genetically predisposed to the disorder to acquire it.

Assuming that genetics is the primary cause of schizophrenia, is it possible that a genetically-predisposed condition like schizophrenia can be phased out through evolution? or does it serve some function for humanity that will allow it to continue to be passed on to future generations?


http://www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/scz/sb-...

Not saying that the causes are purely genetic, environment is often a determining factor as well. But, genetics does play a role.

My ex was a geneticist that followed the Humane Genome Project in Iceland religiously and actually took a trip to Iceland during the onset of the project to see Dr. Kari Stefansson, who was heading the Iceland project.

I found it completely fascinating, and even though I have no education in that field, I asked a lot of questions.

The genetic determination for schizophrenia was located in the Nordic people through the Humane Genome Project. Discover Magazine did a HUGE layout on it back in....hmmmm.....2000 I believe.

THAT was what caused that BIG STINK about should we be doing this to begin with. Isolating people because we know that they are the ones to carry certain genetic defects, illnesses, etc.

Consider the typical BLOND HAIR / BLUE EYES of the Nordic people. We're talking DOUBLE RECESSIVE genes here.

My ex, the geneticist, told me to imagine the length of TIME it took for double recessive genetic traits to actually become the DOMINATE trait.

The Vikings in ANCIENT history BC already HAD the typical blond/red hair and the blue eyes. Arguably one of the LAST of their genetic traits, being double recessive to show itself prevalently.

The genetic trait for the gene that determines schizophrenia was already THERE then!
It had already evolved to point past where NO ONE would be able to determine HOW it did or WHY.

It probably steamed from their far separated location with the more populated area of southern Europe.

Could it eventually be genetically eradicated? Sure....BUT....it's already been hard-wired into the genetic makeup for CENTURIES.
As for us just EVOLING out of it? Wow. It took centuries to get it in there to the point it is now. I can't imagine the time it would take for it to NATURALLY evole out.

Not to mention the changes it has taken being passed along through other people/races/ethnic backgrounds etc.

We're talking thousands and thousands of years that this ugly thing, schizophrenia has been genetically wired into some of us. It will take an incredible amount of work....questionable work at that to a great many people who are against it....and many, many years.


EDIT;
X- conditions like schizophrenia serving some purpose or function?
Now THAT is an interesting concept! Fascinating even.

It's there. Been there forever and a day. Could it be there for a reason?
Hmmm, well you know they say people that live with mental disabilities are living closer to God....from the mentally retarded to the mentally ill....PLEASE forgive my politically incorrect terminology.
From the ancient prophets...oracles...shaman...medicine men...holy men....hermits....witch doctors...the old wise ones known as witches.....many societies all over the world used to take their members that spoke with spirits, went into trances, spoke in tongues...and made them into "holy people".

The mind is an unexplored world. Could the 'defects' or 'illness' set off some part of our brains that don't normally fuction on a "normal' basis? Making those people that see things or concepts that we "normal" people just can't grasp yet?

You know X, I'm gonna go with you on this. My "thing" is ancient history especially where it involves historical theology and ancient religion.
Maybe God HAS been talking to us...and we just haven't been listening.
It would make a hellava thesis!

IF the cuse of schizophrenia is purley genetic, then it does have the possibility of being phased out by evolution. However, since schizophrenia usually does not show until the mid 20s or something like that, people have children before they know they have the disease. In order for it to be phased out completley, people with this disease, even carrieres, should not have children.

I doubt it. However, there is a procedure that can be done prior to conception that can remove what is believed to cause disorders like schizophrenia, alzheimer's, etc. You go in for testing to see if you or your spouse/significant other are carriers of a particular disease and if you don't want your offspring to have to live with it, there is a way of removing it. Of course, there are people who think it's another example of playing God, but for those who have to live with such ailments including other family members not stricken with the diseases, it is a blessing. Of course, it costs a whole lot, but what doesn't? So if it actually doesn't phase out, it can still possibly be eradicated.

I don't think schizophrenia is genetic. If it were then there would be 100% concordance rate with identical twins.

I believe psychosis is caused by something going wrong in early childhood development. The unconscious (that which is kept hidden by repression) does not fully develop and the unconscious of the psychotic is therefore open for all the world to see and manifests itself in delusions and hallucinations.

Actually I think it could be phased out through evolution but personally I think that schizophrenia is a result of parents raising their children versus actual genetics. I'm not saying that the way a parent raises their children causes schizo but after generations and generations of people being raised a certain way along with changes in society may cause schizo...which is why I believe evolution could phase it out OR make it worse!

it sure can....

No it will be increased!