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Because it usually only kicks in after childbearing years, until relatively recently there's not been a test for it, so no way to know if you'd pass it onto you

Because it usually only kicks in after childbearing years, until relatively recently there's not been a test for it, so no way to know if you'd pass it onto your children, and in the last 200 years life expectancy has gone past the age at which is kicks in, highlighting it more.

thriftwy 9y ago
> Because it usually only kicks in after childbearing years Orphans are not a very good evolutionary tactics. But you definitely have a point otherwise. Had it earlier onset age, it would have no way to propagate.
- Retric 9y ago
  Historically 30-50 would be often be grandparents or great grandparents which has much less evolutionary pressure. Though they would likely still have underage kids.
  - carlmr 9y ago
    Historically those kids would have been working already.
    - Retric 9y ago
      A 50 year old can have great grand kids, and a 3 year old at the same time. Though with a large extended family someone can also probably take over in the case something happens.
- taneq 9y ago
  Do you still call them "orphans" if they're in their mid to late 20s?