Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Save Humanity: Have Sex

Sexual reproduction confers evolutionary benefits

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 8, 2011 2:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Scientists have long theorized that sexual reproduction was better, evolutionarily speaking, than its asexual counterpart—and now they’ve got some evidence. Researchers in Britain found that sexually-reproducing worms were better at staying “one evolutionary step ahead” of parasites than asexual versions of the same worm, NPR reports. That sheds light on “one of the long-standing mysteries in evolutionary biology, one that we've been banging our heads against for 30 years,” says a researcher.

The question: What’s the point of guys? They take up resources, can't give birth, and have nothing to offer but their DNA. The worms offer a clue: When scientists introduced a parasite to asexual versions, those worms "rapidly went extinct,” says a researcher. But “sexual populations were able to adapt and become better at evading their parasites,” even as those parasites grew more potent. So males are worth having around: Mixing DNA makes for stronger species, the study suggests.

A new study explains why having males around might be a good thing.
A new study explains why having males around might be a good thing.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
8%
45%
2%
25%
2%
17%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
Rickstar
Jul 14, 2011 9:54 AM CDT
People should have more sex and introduce toys into the relationship... women want closeness and hold back on sex and men dont understand ... maybe if toys were introduced , then it would be more playful !! just food for thought !!  well i found this if interested >>  OneHotNight.com
G.O.P.
Jul 9, 2011 7:56 AM CDT
After reading this, I felt even dumber.  I read the link at NPR, and felt dumber yet.  Neither source has a direct link to the original article in Science.  Are journalists now playing some kind of clerical role between the lay people and the deities of science?   I found this article from 2009 with a very nice experiment with snails a bit more enlightening:  http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/11460.html
Toon
Jul 9, 2011 1:47 AM CDT
Well yes, it's why so many species have two sexes and why flowing plants far out number flowerless plants. I'm pretty sure that was covered in junior high biology class.

More Newser Stories

Holding a Gun Makes You Look Bigger

Bees Might Have Personalities

Radiation Threatens Deep-Space Sex: NASA

Why Men Get Sicker Than Women

Higher SATs Mean More Cash for Egg Donors


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment