Scientists have finally demonstrated that sex is useful.

[FLPanhandle]

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/07/137681962/have-sex-to-stay-one-evolutionary-step-ahead

Scientists have finally demonstrated that sex is useful.

A team from Indiana University found that worms that have sex were better able than asexual worms to stay one evolutionary step ahead of dangerous parasites.

The finding, published in the journal Science, provides the first direct evidence that sexual reproduction improves a species' ability to survive in a fast-changing environment. And it suggests that parasites, including bacteria and viruses, are one reason species developed sexual reproduction in the first place.

<snip>

Scientists say sex has been a mystery because it doesn't make much sense, from a biological perspective.

For one thing, this approach to reproduction requires males, which consume resources even though they may not contribute much beyond their DNA, says Levi Morran of Indiana University, the new study's lead author.



I had no idea that is was "one of the longstanding mysteries in evolutionary biology, one that we've been banging our heads against for 30 years"

[Xipe Totec]

1. If you're banging heads, you're doing it wrong. nt

[Ohio Joe]

2. Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it...

or... bang it till you've... oh, you know what I mean :D

[bemildred]

3. Glad they proved it.

The idea has been around for some time.

[arbusto_baboso]

4. Sexually satisfied males generally tend to be less violent toward their own.

Why would that surprise anyone?

[Yavin4]

7. Getting Some Tends to Mellow People Out

Calms them down.

[KittyWampus]

12. Unless they're being violent towards women. I know you said generally. But violence

towards women is sadly all too common.

[arbusto_baboso]

14. Unfortunately it is. But it is much LOWER in sexually more permissive societies.

That is proven by several studies.

[undeterred]

5. "males, which consume resources even though they may not contribute much beyond their DNA"

:beer:

[Aerows]

8. Some species are all female

and they still have sex.

[FLPanhandle]

11. Yes! We males provide more benefits than we cost.

I have a comeback whenever my wife questions why I need a new boat.

[Aerows]

6. It's long been known an orgasm releases immunoglobins

If sex doesn't make sense from a biological perspective, then I question the scientists who say that. Does eating, drinking and breathing not make sense, either?

Hell reproduction is one of the 10 qualifiers to be classified as a life form, and suddenly sex doesn't make sense?

[KittyWampus]

13. But why assume that sex as opposed to parthenogenesis was superior in evolutionary

terms?

And there are ways to release immunoglobins besides sex.

[Tiggeroshii]

9. This article is sooo not sexy...

[Iggo]

10. Goddam, I gotta get me some grant money!