Extlection

Extlection is a term that has gained some traction in informal discussions regarding the potential cessation of biological evolution. It is a portmanteau of "extinction" and "selection," suggesting a state where evolutionary pressures, such as natural selection, no longer significantly drive changes in a species or the biosphere as a whole. The concept is not a formally recognized scientific theory but rather a hypothetical future scenario.

The idea of extlection typically arises when considering several factors. One is the potential for technological intervention in biological processes, such as genetic engineering or advanced medicine, which could allow species, including humans, to overcome natural limitations and environmental challenges without undergoing evolutionary adaptation. Another aspect relates to the possibility of a global cataclysm or a profound environmental shift that drastically reduces biodiversity, potentially leading to a simplified and less dynamic ecosystem where selection pressures are greatly diminished or absent.

Proponents of the concept, in its informal usage, often point to the perceived slowing of observable evolutionary changes in some well-studied species, though this is a subject of ongoing scientific debate. Critics, however, argue that evolution is a continuous process, and that even in stable environments, microevolutionary changes persist, and novel selective pressures can always emerge. Furthermore, the concept of extlection is often viewed as speculative, as predicting the long-term future of life and the planet is inherently uncertain. The term remains primarily a philosophical or speculative construct rather than a subject of mainstream scientific research.