Measles and TB evolved from diseases of our cattle, influenza from a disease of pigs, and smallpox possibly from a disease of camels. The Americas had very few native domesticated animal species from which humans could acquire such diseases.

Quote by Jared Diamond

Topics: Jared Diamond Quotes

The main thing that gives me hope is the media. We have radio, TV, magazines,...

The main thing that gives me hope is the media. We have radio, TV, magazines,...

Human societies vary in lots of independent factors affecting their openness to innovation.

Human societies vary in lots of independent factors affecting their openness to innovation.

The broadest pattern of history - namely, the differences between human societies on different continents...

The broadest pattern of history - namely, the differences between human societies on different continents...

Although native Africans domesticated some plants in the Sahel and in Ethiopia and in tropical...

Although native Africans domesticated some plants in the Sahel and in Ethiopia and in tropical...

Technology has to be invented or adopted.

Technology has to be invented or adopted.

Federal elections happen every two years in this country. Presidential elections every four years. And...

Federal elections happen every two years in this country. Presidential elections every four years. And...

I personally am not conscious of my accent.

I personally am not conscious of my accent.

It's striking that Native Americans evolved no devastating epidemic diseases to give to Europeans, in...

It's striking that Native Americans evolved no devastating epidemic diseases to give to Europeans, in...

Lest those islands still seem to you too remote in space and time to be...

Lest those islands still seem to you too remote in space and time to be...

I've worked very hard in this book to keep the lines of communication open. I...

I've worked very hard in this book to keep the lines of communication open. I...

No government is here forever. And there are other forces - the most potent force...

No government is here forever. And there are other forces - the most potent force...

The United States has long thought of itself as the land of infinite plenty, and...

The United States has long thought of itself as the land of infinite plenty, and...

Thousands of years ago, humans domesticated every possible large wild mammal species fulfilling all those...

Thousands of years ago, humans domesticated every possible large wild mammal species fulfilling all those...

Biology is the science. Evolution is the concept that makes biology unique.

Biology is the science. Evolution is the concept that makes biology unique.

Starbucks goes to a great effort, and pays twice as much for its coffee as...

Starbucks goes to a great effort, and pays twice as much for its coffee as...

AIDS and malaria and TB are national security issues. A worldwide program to get a...

AIDS and malaria and TB are national security issues. A worldwide program to get a...

I've always been interested in a lot of things, and a lot of things at...

I've always been interested in a lot of things, and a lot of things at...

The southward advance of native African farmers with Central African crops halted in Natal, beyond...

The southward advance of native African farmers with Central African crops halted in Natal, beyond...

Australia is the most isolated continent.

Australia is the most isolated continent.

Introspection and preserved writings give us far more insight into the ways of past humans...

Introspection and preserved writings give us far more insight into the ways of past humans...