Human Beings Have Continued to Experience Numerous

¶ … human beings have continued to experience numerous health problems as they age unlike when they are young. This paper presents a review of an analysis of the design of the human body based on an article known as if humans were built to last. The paper examines some of the claims presented by the three authors on their analysis of the human body. The paper also discusses some of the reasons that the authors used to support their claims that the human body was not designed for an extended period of time.

Review of If Humans Were Built to Last:

The article examining the concern about if human were built to last was developed as a result of an analysis on what the human body would be like if it was designed for a healthy long life. Jay Olshansky, Bruce Carnes, and Robert Butler developed the article following their examinations and used fanciful and incomplete anatomical revisions to present their analysis. Despite of the use of incomplete anatomical revisions, the article draws attention to a serious point regarding the design of the human body. This is largely because the authors explore why the human body tends to fall apart at a time when an individual reaches what is considered as the prime of his/her life.

In order to present their case effectively, the authors begin with an outlook of the design of the human body. In this case, they state that though human body is regarded as a living machine, it deteriorates because it was not built to function for an extended period of time. Actually, the human body deteriorates because it's pushed to operate beyond its warranty period, especially when a person reaches the prime of his/her life. This is despite of the fact that the human body is artistically beautiful and precious of the wonder it generates.

Through examination from an engineer's viewpoint, the human body consists of multifaceted network of several components like muscles, bones, valves, tendons, and joints that are directly similar to the imperfect pumps, levers, hinges, and pulleys in machines. Similar to machines, the body components and anatomic features that serve well with no major problems during early stages in life usually begin to show their imperfections as people grow into the post-reproductive years. The anatomical features and body components show their imperfection because they wear out in these stages of life and contribute to various health issues and problems that become common later in life.

From an evolutionary perspective, people harbor flaws because of natural selection since the force that shape the inherently controlled traits does not focus on achievement of perfection or unceasing good health. Therefore, people are likely to choose a life plan that enables them to survive long enough to reproduce in the midst of the underlying imperfections. In this case, designs or plans that have huge negative effects that hinder the survival of young people are not chosen since many affected people may die before producing their offspring.

Through the analysis of the human body from the engineering and evolutionary perspectives, the authors ascertain that humans would have fewer flaws with the ability of making the miserable in the later stages in life if the body was designed for extended operation. Moreover, they state that humans would look more different both internally and externally had evolution designed the body to operate smoothly at all stages in life. Some of the major points that have been raised to support these claims include:

Body Posture:

The upright posture of human beings is an example of the flaws in the anatomical features of the human body. Body or human posture was adopted from mammals as standing on two feet was regarded as promoted tool use and improved intelligence. The awkward change from the posture of mammals was adopted by the human backbone that grew bigger to embrace the enhanced vertical pressure even as the spine has curved to keep people from toppling over.

Regardless of the changes in the backbone and spine, there is still an array of problems emanating from humans bipedal stance. Actually several fatal disorders of aging are partially brought by the upright posture and bipedal locomotion, features that have allowed humans to flourish for a long period of time (Olshansky, Carnes & Butler, 2001).

Structures that support the weight of the entire body usually experience bizarre pressure from every step an individual takes. The disks in the lower back are usually subjected to pressures on a daily basis that are equal to tons per square inch. These pressures contribute to flaws in anatomical features in aging as they have negative impacts over a lifetime.

Head and Neck problems:

Some of the various parts of the head and neck that become regularly problematic during later stages in life include the eye. The human vision tends to diminish as people age because of the less transparency of the protective fluid of the cornea over time. This is coupled by the loss of responsiveness of the muscles controlling the opening of the iris and lens atrophy focusing. During this period, the lens not only thickens but it also becomes yellow resulting in impairing color perception and visual acuity. It's possible for an individual to become blind as the retina can easily detach from the back of the eye. Most of these head and neck problems are difficult to design away while those that can be fixed have severe trade-offs.