Consider the human body, any body. Yours, your partner’s — or the best proportioned man or woman you’ve ever seen. Do you behold incredible beauty and marvel at a wondrously complex biological machine perfected by evolution?

Or do you dwell on the manifold imperfections of its tissues and organs? A lower back frequently pained by its anatomical unsuitability for the postures required in modern life. Guts failing to cope with an excess of processed food. Eyes unable to see well without corrective lenses.

Both views are valid. On the positive side, we humans are the most successful species to evolve on Earth, in terms of our global dominance and the emotional, cultural and intellectual riches that most of us enjoy during our long lives. And yet, our bodies could be far better adapted to industrial civilisation.