Is it conceivable that evolution is itself evolving. We see simple organisms arise from inanimate matter and progress into more complex lifeforms which in turn form social groups and develop cultures. Could these stages of social and cultural evolution be considered seperate stages from biological evolution but part of the same continuum? Is biological evolution ultimately evolving to become a participant process, through genetic engineering, as opposed to a largely random one governed by natural selection? And if so does this count as the evolution of evolution?
I would welcome feedback on any aspect of this.
I think you could certainly argue for a form of cultural evolution in humans and perhaps some other primates, where learned behaviour effects selection (at least in the short term). However whether this kind of artificial selection is sustainable over a long time period is perhaps open to doubt – natural selection may have the last laugh.
