Evolution of Human Attributes

By Mira Pawar.

As per research carried out by the University of California, Berkeley, it is believed that contrary to the belief that human beings were considered to be selfish in the past, have now gathered evidence to show that we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive.

In a recent case, a 22-year-old Sikh gentleman from Auckland, exhibited the true essence of compassion and altruism when he saved a five-year-old boy who was bleeding after an accident. Without thinking, the gentleman took out his turban and used it to stop the child’s bleeding knowing very well that as per the Sikh tradition, he was not supposed to bare his head and take the turban off. He chose to help the boy over his tradition. His quick thinking saved the boy’s life.

Another current instance doing the rounds of social media, is of a girl in India who loves to wear her hair short, but in order to donate hair to children suffering with cancer, she grows her hair. She was only nine years when she first donated her hair. The second time she donated her hair at age twelve. This is a genuine act of kindness. The girl’s mother denies she has anything to do in her daughter’s decision of donating hair, but believes she was inspired by a series “Alexa and Katie” wherein Alexa is fighting cancer and Katie stands by her.

Here is one more case of a school girl from US who has been collection ketchup sachets for two years and storing them partly in her school bag and partly in her school locker. On being questioned as to why she was doing this? She replied that if there is a shootout in the school, she will use the ketchup and smear them on herself and whoever is around so the shooter will think we are dead. This little girl is definitely full of empathy, she is not only thinking about saving her life, but also those around her.

Some scientists are looking into how the human capacity to care and cooperate, is wired into particular regions of the brain and nervous system. One recent study found compelling evidence that many of us are genetically inclined to be empathetic. The study, led by UC Berkeley graduate student Laura Saslow, and Sarina Rodrigues of Oregon State University, found that people with a particular variation of the oxytocin gene receptor are more adept at reading the emotional state of others, and get less stressed out under tense circumstances. Informally known as the “cuddle hormone”, oxytocin is secreted into the bloodstream and the brain, where it promotes social interaction, among other functions.

Human beings have endured as a species due to our ability to empathise and collaborate with those in need. As Charles Darwin surmised long ago, “sympathy is our strongest instinct”