We now have the means to study the evolution of the human genome more closely than ever in the past. One of the key ideas presented by the authors is the idea of transmission fidelity. This means that culture can act as an inheritance system, promoting the transmission of certain genetic traits in a predictable fashion. This type of cultural inheritance results in distinct societies that not only share the same cultural traits, but also share similar genetic traits as well. In the past, geography and proximity to others was a factor in this process as well. Richerson, Boyd, and Henrich (2010) concluded that cultural evolution and biological evolution occur simultaneously. They also suggested that cultural evolution had a significant influence on biological evolution. This research supports the supposition that cultural evolution has a significant effect on biological evolution. This research focused on cultural evolution, as opposed to placing the greatest emphasis on biological evolution due to the slow drift that occurs in biological evolution. Cultural evolution is more difficult to measure than biological from an empirical standpoint, particularly considering new technology in this area. However, the effects of cultural change can be documented in the human genetic code. As cultural changes, such as advancement of technology, intermarriages, alliances, disease, and migration, human biology had to adapt. Now researchers, such as those mentioned in this study are beginning to paint a picture of human cultural changes as they begin to trace the biological changes that occurred as a result of them.

Culture serves...

This research shows human diversity and society depends on culture. We are attracted to those that are like us. Richerson, Boyd, and Henrich (2010) suggest that kinship plays an important role for selective breeding. That is why certain traits have been selected among certain races, giving them their characteristic features. A few examples are red hair in those of Viking ancestry, typical Asiatic eyes, or the dark skin of those of African heritage. These genetic traits are often easily recognizable. However, they are automatically attributed to biological evolution. However, these characteristics exist more as a result of cultural, rather than biological evolution.
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Bell, A. And Richard McElreath. Culture rather than genes provides greater scope for the evolution of large-scale human prosociality. PNAS 106 (2009): 17671-17674.

http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/Bell%20PNAS.pdf

Boyd, R. And Peter Richerson," Gene-culture coevolution and the evolution of social institutions." In Better than Consciousness? Decision Making, The Human Mind, and Implications for Institutions. Edited by Christoph Engel and Wolf Singer. MIT

Press. 2008. pp. 305-323.

http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/BoydRichersonBTConciousne

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Richerson, P., Boyd, R., and Henrich, J. Gene-culture coevolution in the age of genomics. Peter Richerson, PNAS 107 (suppl. 2) (2010): 8985-8992.

http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/GeneCultureCoevolutionPNA

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