The essential role of disability in the evolution and growth of the human being

The essential role of disability in human evolution and growth
seminar of the group Science, Reason and Faith.
Javier Bernácer. Pamplona, February 18, 2025

Javier Bernácer is a graduate in Biology (2001) and Biochemistry ) from the University of Navarra, PhD in Neuroscience (2006) from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Master's Degree in Philosophy from the University of Navarra (2015). After postdoctoral stays at Mount Sinai Hospital (New York, 2008-2009) and the University of Cambridge (2009-2011), he joined the Mind-Brain group at the Institute for Culture and Society of the University of Navarra in 2011. He is a partner professor at the School of Education and Psychology at the University of Navarra and a member of the CRYF group . Author of numerous articles and book chapters in journals and publishers of international prestige. His contributions, with a marked interdisciplinary character, address issues in areas such as Anatomy, neuroimaging, psychology, psychiatry or Philosophy. He is currently scientific director of the International Center for Neuroscience and Ethics (CINET), belonging to the Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno Foundation.

summary
From an evolutionary point of view, organisms with mutations that result in inadequate adaptation are an inevitable result of Genetics variability and generally do not survive natural selection. Therefore, they usually do not bring benefits to the species. I argue that this case is different in humans for two reasons. First, caring for the vulnerable was an essential trait in human evolution, intertwined with the development of bipedalism, the hand, the face, the board member apparatus, and the brain. Second, from a psychological point of view, caring for people with disabilities is also a source of growth at the staff level. Although most of the scientific literature focuses on the stress and burden associated with caregiving, there is strong evidence that it is a source of happiness andstaff development for caregivers. Thus, disability continues to play an essential role in improving human life today. Contrary to this evidence, some famous disclosers of utilitarian bioethics promote the elimination of disability in modern societies. Following the arguments presented here, this is unscientific, contrary even to the basic pillars of utilitarianism, and would lead to a withered society.