Throughout history, rates at which civilization developed varied greatly from continent to continent. This variance in development can be seen today in almost any country of the world. Take for example, the comparison of the United States (a world super-power), to any less developed, third-world country. Clearly, no third-world country can compare to the highly developed United States, but why? In the book, Guns, Germs, and Steel, author Jared Diamond attempts to provide explanation as to why different countries developed at such different rates. Rather than using the United States and some non-specific underdeveloped country, Diamond focuses on two very specific examples: Europe and New Guinea.
             While studying evolutionary biology in New Guinea, Diamond came across a native named Yali who asked him this question: "Why is it that you white people developed so much cargo and brought it to New Guinea, but we black people had little cargo of our own?" In other words, Yali asked Diamond why Europeans had so much more technology, or cargo, than New Guineans. Guns, Germs, and Steel is Jared Diamond's attempt at answering that question.
             Throughout the book, Diamond explains that there are various ecological and geographical reasons that attribute to the difference in rates of development. He argues many seemingly valid points and the book appears to make sense. However, it is the opinion of this reader that Diamond chose to ignore a very crucial element in differing rates of development: biology. Yes, ecology and geography are two very important facets to the difference in development, but biology should be considered equally important. Now, in order to prove that biology also played a role in development, it is necessary to consider both ecology and geography. Biology makes up for shortcomings present in Diamond's arguments, adding to them, resulting in a more all-around thorough explanation of...