How cultural innovations trigger the emergence of new pathogens.

ABSTRACT: Cultural practices perceived to be adaptive-from clearing land for food production to medical innovations-can disseminate quickly through human populations. However, these same practices often have unintended maladaptive effects. A particularly consequential effect is the emergence of diseases. In numerous instances, a cultural change is followed by the appearance of a new pathogen. Here, we develop mathematical models to analyze the population processes through which cultural evolution precipitates the emergence of a new disease. We find that when a risk-bearing cultural practice spreads, emergence can be an unavoidable cost even if a safer alternative practice eventually evolves from the original. Social learning and a fitness advantage associated with the evolving practice drive early d

SUBMITTER: Pooladvand P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11621466 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature