Ask the Experts; July 2009; Scientific American Magazine; by S. Jay Olshansky; James E. Miller; 1 Page(s)

S. Jay Olshansky, a biodemographer at the University of Illinois at Chicago, looks into this query:

As much as we might appreciate the value of detecting predators that approach from behind—or of keeping an eye on the offspring who follow us—it is important to remember that selection is not directed toward the development or formation of anything, let alone "perfect" organs. In other words, just because some feature seems like a good idea, random mutation and selection will not necessarily fashion it.