Panel: Examples of evolutionary applications in medicine.

Examples of evolutionary applications in medicine are presented. In jaundice, the body uses energy to make bilirubin from biliverdin because bilirubin is an effective scavenger of reactive oxygen radicals. Studies of depression are beginning to identify situations for which depression may be useful. In congestive heart failure, fluid retention due to reduced cardiac output occurs because the system was designed for dehydration, not cardiac failure.