Human Origins M/W 10AM
Crystal Taren
How wise is it to have wisdom teeth if we have to loose them?
Evolution is not just a theory. Scientific data illustrates that beneficial genetic
changes are passed through generations if it gives the organism an advantage within its
environment. For example, the moths during the Industrial Revolution began to change
color due to the new amounts of suit in their environment. This adaptation was made to
survive from their predators. The physical change occurred in an extended period of time.
This brought a question to mind; if people have been getting their wisdom teeth removed
for years why do humans still have them? Why do some not? After reflecting on class
discussions, assigned readings, and conducting independent research the answer was
apparent.
Within the first chapter natural selection was defined (Jurmain et al 2012). Part of
the definition was that a variation of a trait would have to occur before reproduction. The
example used in class and the text was that if you amputate your arm it does not mean
your offspring would be born without an arm. Thus, the same logic would apply to
having your teeth extracted. Yet, the idea that many humans are born without wisdom
teeth seemed like evidence that humans are evolving. I have heard this reasoning cited as
an example of evolution for years. Since that is not the case, I had to dig deeper, after all,
there has to be a logical, scientific reason, other than normal variations, which explains
how people are produced without wisdom teeth to begin with.
An article from Smithsonian explained what microevolutionary (One of the two
levels of evolution, includes genetic alterations within a population) mutation occurred.
Over time human ancestors had to accommodate their skulls for larger brains. Gaining
Human Origins M/W 10AM
Crystal Taren
space in one area of the head meant that space was being lost somewhere else. That place
was the jaw (Dunn, 2010).
One of my favorite explanations found was from LTC James J. Lane (Dental
Corps), “Today we seldom attack our enemies by trying to incise jugular vein and
although some people like their steaks on the rare side, these are along way from the raw
meat which was the diet of our distant forefathers.” Lane then goes on to cite physical
evidence of the mandible size, and other elements of the jaw structure being smaller in
today’s skull. In fact, the differences can be seen periodically when comparing the skulls
between eighth, twelfth centuries, and today (Lane, 1970). Another piece of evidence is
that pre historic man’s jaw could easily accommodate 32 teeth (Edmonds, 2008).
Bigger brains meant that humans had more to work with intellectually, but
smaller jaws meant that eating like our ancestors did was more difficult. With larger
brains humans had a better ability to problem solve (Dunn, 2010). Other indicators that
support the idea that humans had evolved and evolution exists are the cultural shifts that
were experienced as their anatomy changed. For example, society’s use of fire to cook
and soften meet, and the invention and use of utensils occurred around the same time that
physical changes were prevalent in the skull (Edmonds, 2008). After discovering
evidence that supports the initial claim that bigger brains caused our jawbone to evolve, I
was curious how the opponents of evolution explain the difference.
First, the sources I found to support the initial claim appear to be creditable. My
primary source, from the Smithsonian, is responsible for some of the nations most
amazing museums, and research. The article by LTC Lane was published by the United
States Army Medical Divison, which has no ulterior motive when presenting the
Human Origins M/W 10AM
Crystal Taren
information. This source may be outdated since the article was published in 70’s, but my
other sources are more recent, and support the claims made in this article.
Opposition to the initial hypothesis explained by Creation Today (a procreationism website) provides few explanations, and no physical evidence to discredit
evolution. First point made is that wisdom teeth still function, as they should, to chew
food, this means that it’s not a vestigial organ (useless). According to the article the
definition of evolution is to improve or add features. So wisdom teeth do not correspond
to their definition because a lack there of, would not imply evolution.
The second reason the article presented was from an orthodontist, Dr. Jack Cuzzo.
Cuzzo’s explanation states due to growth hormones in food, and eating more cooked
foods results in lack of jaw development. “This is a environmental factor, not an
evolution one,” says Cuzzo, humorous, since the definition of evolution are adaptations
made due to our environment (Jurmain et al 2012). This article goes on ludicrous
statements such as; the world isn’t following God’s plan so we are paying for it with poor
health that includes poor dental hygiene. Hasty generalizations like this are dangerous,
especially when this source came up 4th on the list when I google-ed evolution and
wisdom teeth.
Personally I always try to keep the seven fallacies of logic in mind when
evaluating an idea. The majority of the creationism websites participate is using these
fallacies. For example, faulty use of authority, just because one orthodontist has the
opinion it does not make it true. In addition the article had a bandwagon appeal to it. If
you don’t accept their explanation you will be condemned. In addition, this source did not
supply any hard evidence to support their claims and expects the reader to hop on to their
Human Origins M/W 10AM
Crystal Taren
bandwagon. Science occurs because people ask questions. What kind of science do these
doctors support if they don’t encourage humans to evaluate the topic for themselves.
Personally I will stick to the premise that has physical evidence supporting the claim.
Human Origins M/W 10AM
Crystal Taren
Sources Cited
Dunn, Rob. 2010. The Top Ten Daily Consequences of Having Evolved. The Top Ten
Daily Consequences of Having Evolved.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/The-Top-Ten-DailyConsequences-of-Having-Evolved.html?c=y&page=2
Edmonds, Molly. 2008. "Are people without wisdom teeth more highly evolved?"
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/evolution/no-wisdomteeth.htm.
Hinton, John. “Things that negate evolution: wisdom teeth”
http://www.creationtoday.org/things-that-make-evolutionists-look-stupid%20wisdom-teeth/
Lane, LTC Jame J. 1970. Get Smart On Wisdom Teeth, Medical Bulletin, Vol. 27, no. 3,
Mar. 1970, p. 102-104
Jurmain, Robert Kilgore, Lynn Trevathan, Wenda. 2012. Human Origins Evolution and
Diversity. p.3-22