The Descent Of Man (On Darwin's DNA)

I absolutely loved Darwin's DNA. The way it was written, theexplanations, the analogies and examples all gave me great insightinto the theories of evolution and natural selection andconsciousness. An excellent read that really tied everythingtogether for me. I will definitely be reading this again.Iespecially enjoyed The Descent of Man. The modification ofintellectual powers through socialization, imitation, reason andexperience was an enlightening realization for me. However, this iswhere my confusion as to whether these traits are consideredevolutionary or adaptive comes in. Animals learn by experience andimitate the caution of others but are we saying that this is NOTsomething that animals have always done? That at some point in timethey became observant reasonable creatures whereas before this pointthey were not? Is the strengthening of the intellect somethingwhich has to do with some genetic modification or is it stillsomething that has to be taught and reinforced to futuregenerations? If natural selection does not imply that the selectivetraits have to be present in the nature of the creature but insteadin the tribe or the pack or the unit and then imparted on the newgenerations, then is it really an evolutionary inheritance or asocial, adaptive one? We do not know at what period in the courseof their development man became capable of feeling and beingimpelled by praise or blame but we can see similar traits in dogsand other animals, they tend to develop "friendships" with otheranimals and care for their safety, as well as respond to blame,encouragement and praise. It appears true that a tribe includingmany members who have a high degree of patriotism, fidelity,obedience, courage and sympathy, who are always ready to aid oneanother and to sacrifice themeslves for the common good, would bevictorious over most other tribes. This natural selection thoughseems based more on adaptive tendencies than evolutionary as all ofthese traits seem to be more behavioral than evolutionary.
The processes that civilized humans go through to preserve humanlife seems to have become somewhat of an intervention in theevolutionary model of survival of the fittest. With vaccines andantibiotics and medical advancements, the preservation of All lifeto the last possible moment seems to have replaced the idea that thestrong will survive and procreate. Now we have humans who aregenetically predisposed to cancers and auto-immune disorders andother general biological "weaknesses" that may not have perpetuatedreproduction without some kind of medical intervention. Could thisbe part of the reason we are experiencing over-population? Couldthis also have something to do with the new strains of antibioticresistant "mutant" bacteria and viruses that are beginning toemerge? What will this do to the evolution of man in the future?What are the consequences of "playing God" and taking life and deathinto our own hands?