Why do so many kids in wealthy countries have braces? Our jaws and teeth are growing smaller, causing aesthetic challenges as well as breathing difficulties. Modern orthodontics convinced us that braces and oral devices could resolve these issues. In this episode, Paul Ehrlich, a world-renowned evolutionist, talks about his latest book, Jaws: The Story Of A Hidden Epidemic. He discusses biological, dietary, and cultural changes that have led us to face this major health challenge, and why our policies focus on repairing considerable health, environmental, economic, and political problems rather than preventive measures. 

Join Paul and Greg as they tackle controversial topics on greenwashing, environmental and economic policies, and flaws in the educational system.

Episode Quotes:

Having written many books on evolution, what attracted you to focus on human jaws in your latest work?

Why do virtually all the kids in wealthy countries have braces in their mouth? What's wrong with their mouths? This seems very mysterious, but the main answer to why it's happening is very simple. And that is, we have brought our Stone Age genes into a McDonald's world. And this is something that characterizes many of our problems in society.

Common misconception about genetics, DNA, and the role of evolution and the environment in some medical problems

The phrase that, 'that's genetic' is meaningless in biology. There is no such thing as just genetic. Every characteristic you have has been worked on both by the DNA encoded in yourself. Sometimes it's changed by the environment, and even the things that seem most controlled by the genes, have big environmental components to them.

In what ways are humans responsible for reducing biodiversity on our planet, and what is the biggest issue?

First of all, we are part of biodiversity. And one of the things that are not taught enough in our educational system is that we are part of nature. We are not separate from nature, and we depend utterly on nature. For our lives, we could not exist without biodiversity.

Show Links

Guest Profile

• Paul R. Ehrlich’s profile at Stanford
• Paul on Twitter

His Work

• Paul R. Ehrlich on Google Scholar
• Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic
• The Annihilation of Nature: Human Extinction of Birds and Mammals
• Humanity on a Tightrope: Thoughts on Empathy, Family, and Big Changes for a Viable Future
• The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment
• Butterflies: Ecology and Evolution Taking Flight
• The Population Explosion Hardcover

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