the theory of extinction is no longer applicable in the modern world. Evolution is about the ongoing creation of mutations within a species to produce various subsets within that parent species that complete with each other and other species and life forms. Species usually do not actually die out and become extinct with no descendents they change / mutate into new sub species that replace the original parent species. Various subspecies will become extinct but not the total gene line. Mass global transport and ever advancing medical technology allows the global mixing and the averaging of the humans gene pool. All the previous "natural" drivers of extinction that cull the weaker subsets of species via competition against the stronger subsets of their species and other life forms are being eliminated. The only drivers left will be artificial social ones such as genetic engineering which will allow modified genomes to reproduce even when they would not be actually viable in the "natural" world. This will eventually lead to the creation of one non-mutating species of human. RD: Well when you say epigenetics, do you know what you mean by that? RD: It's a buzzword that's enjoying its 15 minutes of fame BT Dubz Dick Dawkins if you want to refer to epigenetics as a "buzzword" you might want to throw DNA and all phenotypical expression in that trash bin as well, and oh wait whats that....?? Oh yeah if you did that your whole fucking life's work goes with it.