Darwin's perfect finch

Natural selection chooses the best genes so that species are more suited to their environment. But, what happens when a society becomes centered on appearance and youth? We definitely can’t (won’t) wait for evolution to take its course when we have the necessary tools to choose how we look and consequently how we feel about each other and ourselves.

What would happen if one of Darwin’s finches had plastic surgery, making itself more appealing to the opposite sex, a more colorful plumage perhaps? or maybe wider wings for flying? Then maybe this finch who potentially would not have been naturally selected to pass on its “unappealing” genes to the subsequent generations would find a mate and breed lots of “unnaturally” selected baby finches with dull feathers and scrawny wings.

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, defines cosmetic surgery as:

“…the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques …

concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal”.

Even the definition of cosmetic plastic surgery is vague and morally questionable. Firstly, words such as “normal” and “average” are subjective and there is no mention of biological or physical need in relation to quality of life. Secondly, “some aesthetic ideal” refers to a mysterious model of perfection according to no one in particular. So, whose aesthetic ideal is correct and to what extent should we enhance physical appearance even if it may improve a person’s life on a physical, social and/or psychological level?

TV shows such as Dr. 90210 and Extreme Makeover reveal that with the right amount of time and money anyone can overcome almost any physical flaw or imperfection. We are told that all patients undergo psychological evaluation in order to establish that the reasons and expectations for the surgery are realistic and sound. Personally, I believe that a society that supports non-corrective plastic surgery promotes further psychological problems and unrealistic physical standards for its entire population. Even though a woman who receives a breast augmentation may have a personal gain, in consequence a false ideology is created for an entire society who may not have access and more importantly the need for such a procedure.

Cheating Darwin: The Genetic and Ethical Implications of Vanity and Cosmetic Plastic Surgery by Kristi Scott