Like our immunity system gets stronger against usual viruses and bacterias, can we evolute to grow more immune to radiation during generations? (I know it’s different things and responses, it’s just an example)
If yes, how?
If not, why?
In: Biology
Melanin is very good at blocking radiation.
That is the pigment in your skin, eyes, and hair.
Early humans had very high levels of melanin, due to being exposed to the hot African sun for long periods of time.
As man left Africa, and traveled to colder regions with shorter days, we lost that high level of melanin production because we didn’t need as much protection from UV. This lead to blue/green eyes, white skin, and blonde/red hair.
Humans that stayed in hot equatorial climates retained the dark skin, and humans that left lost the ability. Blue eyes and blonde hair are primarily from European branches of humanity, but melanin loss in the skin can be observed across the world.
On a related note, frogs in the Chernobyl exclusion zone have evolved black skin from generations of being exposed to high levels of radiation. The extra melanin makes them more likely to survive the harsh conditions.
In order to do it ourselves, we would need either advanced gene editing technology to be approved for use on humans, or generations of being exposed to high levels of radiation. Both of which are not really desirable.
TL;DR why would we want to when we can just avoid radiation/wear protective clothing
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