DNA and Genetics

[Mephistopheles]

In many a thread I've read statements that suggest criminals should not be allowed to reproduce. Why do people assume that one's personality comes from a chromosome? DNA, from what I can recall from biology class, only serves as a blueprint for protein production. It is nothing but matter. I'm astonished that others think that we are nothing more than carbon-based robots.

I've seen this falsehood propogated in television and in movies. Star Trek, for instance, has many storylines dealing with how Klingon sons inherit their fathers' sins and character. Our bodies are just vessels and nothing more.

What do you think?

 

[CStroman]

I think the correct phrase would be, "Criminals should not be allowed to raise children."

 

[SexEPid]

When I take a look at kids these days, they are carbon copies of their parents. I mean, sure, there are difference, but it all depends on differences in surroundings, like outside influences such as TV, and society, I think. I think it's logical because you say how could it be chromosomes that ones personality comes from. I look as it as....where do we get those chromosomes from!? Our parents!
Or maybe I'm just sick and this whole paragraph sounds horrible

Pid

 

[Heisenberg]

<< I think the correct phrase would be, "Criminals should not be allowed to raise children." >>



I agree. I think the concern is the influence the parent's behavior would have, not so much the genetic aspect. Although, certainly some of our traits we get genetically from our parents. The nature vs. nuture debate is far from over.

 

[thraashman]

There are two stand points that I've noticed.
The religious standpoint, and the pseudo scientific standpoint.

Reasoning for the religious standpoint shown in Exodus 20:5.
"I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me."
See, so by most religious standards, God has already damned their children, so why shouldn't society. For those who haven't realized it yet, the religious standpoint is WRONG.

The pseudo scientific standpoint is the other.
It is known that some personality traits are genetic. However, most people fail to realize that properly raising a child has far more of an impact on them than does their genetics. This standpoint has more logic behind it, but is also wrong. (note I did not use capital letter this time)

The idea of not letting criminals raise children is a better one.

 

[superkeith]

DNA/chromosomes can affect behavior.

for instance (and rather simply), a particular hormone may be more prevalent in one individual than another through genetic means. also, sensitivity of the body to various hormones or neurotransmitters may be directly related to one's particular genetic makeup.

having said that, the nature vs. nurture debate may never be fully resolved. i think, and hope, the latter is more important in the psychological development of children. otherwise, such a fatalistic view as genetic determinism depresses me.

 

[Mephistopheles]

<< I think the correct phrase would be, "Criminals should not be allowed to raise children." >>



Yes, although this is a given.



<< Although, certainly some of our traits we get genetically from our parents. >>



All of our physical traits come from our parents' genes. What I am saying is that none of our behavioral ones come from their genes.



<< For those who haven't realized it yet, the religious standpoint is WRONG. >>



It seems most ATOTers agree with you as do I.



<< It is known that some personality traits are genetic. However, most people fail to realize that properly raising a child has far more of an impact on them than does their genetics. This standpoint has more logic behind it, but is also wrong. >>



What personality traits are genetic? I agree that character is built during one's childhood if that is what you're saying. My main concern is people thinking that if dad is a murderer then the child will tend to be also. I remember a thread about how Hitler's relatives decided not to have children so that Hitlers genes would die. Ok, Hitler wasn't very attractive, but I cannot believe that there is such a thing as an evil gene.

 

[Mephistopheles]

<< for instance (and rather simply), a particular hormone may be more prevalent in one individual than another through genetic means. also, sensitivity of the body to various hormones or neurotransmitters may be directly related to one's particular genetic makeup. >>



I agree with you, but hormones don't make decisions for you (unless you're a teen in heat), you do. Not your body, not your brain, but you.

 

[exp]

<< All of our physical traits come from our parents' genes. What I am saying is that none of our behavioral ones come from their genes. >>


Those are both gross oversimplifications. IMHO both our physical and mental characteristics are determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If I bulk up by lifting weights then I have successfully changed a physical trait without any corresponding shift in the underlying genetic information. Similarly, it is a given that some of our behavior is, at the very least, predispositioned by genes. A very simple example would be the direct correlation between testosterone levels (testosterone being coded for by a gene) and aggression. Yes, we can often train ourselves to overcome such tendencies, but some of them cannot be ignored completely.

Other than that I agree with pretty much everything you are saying. External stimuli do play a critical role in both our physical and mental development (nobody exists in a bubble). And yes, we should take responsibility for our actions instead of playing the "bad genes" card.

 

[Paunchy]

I'm just curious. If you don't let criminals reproduce, then it follows that they can't raise children because they'll have none, and this nature vs. nurture debate is moot.

Right?

--Paunchy