ARE YOUR GENES TO BLAME?

One or another time, each of us may hear people saying “The parents are doctors so their children must be intelligent.” or “Your father is criminal, you are nothing better than him.” Though our ancestors did not know what gene is and what DNA is, but somehow, they were able to recognize that there must be some connection in the way that the children carried on their parents’ behaviors, skills or other areas.

And yet, the article “Are Your Genes to Blame?” by Steven Pinker, depicts whether genes are related to behavior and mental state of mind or in another word, can genes affect behavior and mental life? Study after study has shown that genes can affect behavior and mental life. This article was able to provide the argument from different sides which is one, do genes really have to do something with how people behave, think, act and skills they have? And the other side stating the possibility that gene is non-existing and individual is born starting with blank state of mind which the environment he/she belongs plays vital role for molding individuality.

Conservative research made during half of 20th century believed the latter argument that social environment could re-engineer human nature that even through discovery of genetic disposition came to them as a surprise. Still remember that people used to say “Children are like a blank paper that anyone can draw things there.” It was explained for the child behavior along his/her life-span. This belief is still believed by most of people nowadays in this way or another way.

Discussion of the article shares some points that genes is not the total causality of how human behaves but more on brain activity since genes is acting more on areas such as human memory, judgment on situations and effects of decision making. These supports the idea that even if genes may be related to behavior, but it is not used as basis to explain for social aspects and everyday living of person’s growth.

Between studies made to support two opposite beliefs above mentioned, it is the belief that genes do not affect human trait at all harder to support. The article even made a comparison on a computer program having functionality without the help of additional program that could make its function work with efficiency.

Although the article does not really support the idea that there is a single gene responsible for individual’s specific skill or talent since it would take combination of genes needed to acquire the same skill/ talent. This means that there is no identified single gene for producing specific talents. But the question is that looking around there are people who are special in different aspects and these make them becoming genuine people that other people may not be able to perform as they are. Do genes have no contribution in these special people? So it must be a part that we need to research.

Social and environment also have a relation with human behavior, choices and impact on decisions. It work along with human’s improvement in order for these aspects agree for genes’ explanation that social, environment and other contributions are not a waste for human development. Thus these also support the idea that it is not really necessary to blame everything on genes because there are other factors that need to consider.

Finally, the articles point is to balance our belief for existence and effects of genes in human behavior. Genes are not the total cause of human behavior and individuality which one can use a reason for their actions since we also have to consider other aspects such as environment and social. But be aware that existence of genetic disposition should also not be taken for granted and ignored.