Are Human Evolutionists Confusing Cause and Effect?

These scientists caution that theorists of human evolution need to reconsider which came first: genetic change or cultural innovation.

In a Perspecive article published in the May 24, 2013 issue of the journal Science, scientists Simon E. Fisher and Matt Ridley argue the case that at least some evolutionary changes in the human genome in humankind's distant past may actually be consequences of cultural evolution and not the other way around, as is commonly assumed by mainstream human evolutionists.

"A common assumption is that the emergence of behaviorally modern humans after 200,000 years ago required—and followed—a specific biological change triggered by one or more genetic mutations", write Fisher and Ridley. "But are evolutionary changes in our genome a cause or a consequence of cultural innovation?...........The smallest, most trivial new habit adopted by a hominid species could— if advantageous—have led to selection of genomic variations that sharpened that habit, be it cultural exchange, creativity, technological virtuosity, or heightened empathy". [...] popular-archaeology.com

Reference: Fisher, Simon E. and Ridley, Matt, Culture, Genes and the Human Revolution, Science, May 24, 2013.