Screwed By Genetics
German researchers claim they have found an infidelity gene in zebra finches, which practice monogamy as humans do. The same gene seems to account for promiscuous behavior and infidelity in both sexes. The researchers further state that it is likely the gene is present in humans as well. People test for the existence of some disease genes in themselves and their potential spouses already, will the day come when they will test for the cheater gene before committing?
Comments
Genes surely account for predisposition, but we still choose our behavior. Perhaps birds cannot resist their genetic code, but humans have a much larger brain. We also have, if you are at all religious, a soul or, if you are not religious, a conscience. That goes for about everything we do. It all goes back to genetics as far as prediposition. That is why some people smoke for 50 years and remain cancer free and others, who don't smoke or even live with a smoker, get lung cancer and die. Genetic predisposition plays a role, but its not the final word on issues of behavior especially. Atleast that is my opinion. 😊
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 06/16/11 at 09:56 AM
Its the age old "nature or nurture" argument. Some people like to look at it as a black or white issue but there are really a million shades of gray. And you are right Patty, we do have the ability to overcome a genetic predisposition to a certain behavior traits. The predisposition may be genetic but the behavior,unlike many of the lower animals, depends on our moral fiber as much or more than it does on our genes.
Posted by yogi in Kennesaw GA on 06/16/11 at 10:14 AM
Aren't "Cheater Genes" the ones with the hidden butt lifters in them?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 06/16/11 at 12:54 PM
I'm sure butts are involved somewhere honey.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 06/16/11 at 01:05 PM
Well, I've "practiced" monogamy several times, now, each interspersed with casual dalliances, and remained "committed" the whole time. But I'm no cheater. 😕
Posted by done on 06/16/11 at 10:20 PM
I'll vouch for ya Dan.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 06/16/11 at 10:57 PM
Thanks, babe, now about that whipped cream? 😉
Posted by done on 06/16/11 at 11:16 PM
Oh honey, you know I love whipped cream! 😜
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 06/16/11 at 11:32 PM
Its main aim was "to check the birth rate of the Unfit and improve the race by furthering the productivity of the fit by early marriage of the best stock".
Sounds a bit like the Third Reich doesn't it? Not to say the man didn't contrbute to the study of genetic amoungst other things but that line is very telling about him.
You can screw up the best genetic handed to you with excessive bad habits and you can stave off the effects of bad genes by healthy habits. That seems like common sense. But any machine, or human for that matter, will break or wear out at the weakest spot first. I certainly think that is common sense also.
Sounds a bit like the Third Reich doesn't it? Not to say the man didn't contrbute to the study of genetic amoungst other things but that line is very telling about him.
You can screw up the best genetic handed to you with excessive bad habits and you can stave off the effects of bad genes by healthy habits. That seems like common sense. But any machine, or human for that matter, will break or wear out at the weakest spot first. I certainly think that is common sense also.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 06/17/11 at 11:06 AM
He wasn't the only one holding to those views. Google the word "eugenics" for some more info on the subject. I have an antique book titled "Dr Edwin Foote's Handy Home Medical Adviser..." published in the late 1800's that actually has a chart of the types of people who should or should not marry and reproduce. It also shows some of the bad offspring of these people like "Scrofulous Benny".
Posted by yogi in Kennesaw GA on 06/17/11 at 11:37 AM
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