What do you think are the various biological, social, and ethical implications of thinking that a gene directl

Question

What do you think are the various biological, social, and ethical implications of thinking that a gene directly affects a trait (such as a type of behavior)? To what extent to you think genes control our behavior?

Answer 1

This is a scary idea because it means that people aren't responsible for controlling their own behaviors. Too violent? Not my fault! Then how do we justify punishments for crimes? I think genes control some of our innate behaviors - parenting, for instance. But events that happen in our lives help shape our attitudes and behaviors.

Answer 2

First most traits are polygenic simply because most behavioral mechanisms are complex. This means many genes having the potential to impact a behavior. Second, most biological responses are EPIGENETIC or an interaction between one or more genes and environmental influences. Third, there is a lot of plasticity or ability to adapt the mechanism for the environment in the human biological behavioral systems.

This means that a single gene can't generally be responsible for a specific behavior, only a probability of effect.

This isn't to say a single gene can't have major effects. For example, a fault in the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome can actually create an XY male that has the external appearance of a female and approximately the same behavior as well.

A previous answer suggests that research along this path could result in the idea that criminals can't be held responsible for their actions.

I think this is entirely possible and that it would necessitate a revision to our legal system that would both have to function protectively based on the actions of people AND on their tendency or potential for breaking social norms and becoming a threat to society.

For example, a person who assualts people at random and has a genetic or other behavioral control systems anomaly would need to be prevented from doing it again until or unless the anomaly could be fixed and the person's ability to control over themselves evaluated. If the potential is identified in someone without a criminal history, close monitoring and preventative treatment may be in order.

This sort of intrudes on "innocent until proven guilty"...

Answer 3

You're basically asking for an answer to an essay question. So I'll answer your question with a question.

What effect does a genetic mutation involving deafness have on the individual in whom the trait is expressed?

What effect does a missing gene for processing sugar have on a race of people who live amongst another race that can process sugar?

What advantage does the gene for darker skin pigmentation give to a species of animal for adapting to it's environment?