Genetic Influences on Behavior While

Genetic Influences on Behavior

While the debate continues over nature vs. nurture, the science of the genetics of behavior has gained tremendous momentum with the advancements in the refinement of DNA analysis and genetic sequencing. Beginning with the human genome project in the 1990 and onto even more fine tuned efforts such as the "Hap Map" for discovering genetic related illnesses (Johnson, 2003), the process has now extended towards specific genes related to the preponderance of behavioral influence. For the most part researches are studying these genetic effect on infants and young children who have not as yet been overly influenced by their environment. As early as 1938 researches felt that genetic influences were prevalent in behavior formation and that, "the genetic counterparts and precursors of "intelligence" manifest themselves in the functional fields of perceptual and of adaptive behavior." (Gesell, Thompson & Strunk, 1938, p. 204)

There have been direct links established between addictions ranging from alcohol to caffeine use that they are "highly heritable" (Jang, 2005, p. 138) and the behavioral geneticist to a high degree can predict the preponderance towards addiction of an individual. Current theory states that these influences can be found in other more subtle behaviors such as mood disorder, depression and so on. The question then becomes do our genes give us a human personality and psyche? (Parens, 2004) This also brings up even more ontological questions about free will and choice that are typically asked in theological and not scientific circles. However, while it is tempting to claim genetic influences as superior to environmental ones, there is still a great debate over whether and individual can overcome their genetics setbacks or be enhanced by their genetic superiority. The former is often achievable as in the case of the addict who has recovered from their addiction, the latter brings us to the morally trepidatious ground of eugenics where by genetic engineering can enhance the good traits and limit the bad traits. The problem there is who decides which traits to keep or loose? Usually decisions left up to a higher authority.