This is an interesting question as our genes affect what we look like so why wouldn’t they also decide how we behave? In fact many researchers have looked into whether there are links between our genes and our behaviour, and the science is known as behavioural genetics.
Scientists have found that no one gene determines a particular behaviour, but are affected by many genes which are themselves affected by a variety of different factors. You may have heard of the phrase, nature versus nurture, which looks at whether a certain behaviour is due to our nature (i.e. we are genetically predisposed a certain way) or our environment (i.e. we are taught by those around us, or are influenced by the way we are brought up). In fact science has come to an understanding that it is a variety of these effects that determine how we are to behave. As humans we are intelligent, but we also have the capabilty to control how we will behave. For instance a gene might increase our risk of developing lung disease if we smoke, but if decide not to smoke then that disease will never develop.
Therefore genes do have an effect on predisposing us to certain behaviours, but this is also affected by the environment we are raised and live in and also by the decisions that we personally make.
There are many mental illnesses which affect behaviour which may have a genetic, such as schitzophrenia or ADHD. With these illnesses, the genes cause the wrong chemicals to be made in our brain, but with medication these can be controlled.
Hi impsrule, thanks for igniting the old “nature vs nurture” debate. Good question!
I think Miranda answered this one quite well so I will only add a few comments. Genetic basis of behaviour is really different in animals and humans. For instance, a recent science paper published in a very prestigious journal indicates that the more closely linked the chimpanzees to each other, more behaviours they share between them. In humans it becomes so complex to a level that you want to studing genetics of human behaviour. Having said that I’m very interested in this field and I try to follow all the recent discoveries with respect human behaviour and genetics. Nevertheless, most recent studies indicate epigenetics play much more significant role in human behaviour than genetics.
I agree with the other scientists. Our genes are partly responsible for our behaviour. However, our brain chemistry is so complex it is really hard to determine how much is from our genes and how much is from our experiences. When someone has a brain cancer or a problem with a gene that affects brain function then it can have an affect on behaviour, but our experiences cause us to make decisions about how to behave as well. I don’t think there will ever be a simple answer to this question!
This is an interesting question as our genes affect what we look like so why wouldn’t they also decide how we behave? In fact many researchers have looked into whether there are links between our genes and our behaviour, and the science is known as behavioural genetics.
Scientists have found that no one gene determines a particular behaviour, but are affected by many genes which are themselves affected by a variety of different factors. You may have heard of the phrase, nature versus nurture, which looks at whether a certain behaviour is due to our nature (i.e. we are genetically predisposed a certain way) or our environment (i.e. we are taught by those around us, or are influenced by the way we are brought up). In fact science has come to an understanding that it is a variety of these effects that determine how we are to behave. As humans we are intelligent, but we also have the capabilty to control how we will behave. For instance a gene might increase our risk of developing lung disease if we smoke, but if decide not to smoke then that disease will never develop.
Therefore genes do have an effect on predisposing us to certain behaviours, but this is also affected by the environment we are raised and live in and also by the decisions that we personally make.
There are many mental illnesses which affect behaviour which may have a genetic, such as schitzophrenia or ADHD. With these illnesses, the genes cause the wrong chemicals to be made in our brain, but with medication these can be controlled.
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Hi impsrule, thanks for igniting the old “nature vs nurture” debate. Good question!
I think Miranda answered this one quite well so I will only add a few comments. Genetic basis of behaviour is really different in animals and humans. For instance, a recent science paper published in a very prestigious journal indicates that the more closely linked the chimpanzees to each other, more behaviours they share between them. In humans it becomes so complex to a level that you want to studing genetics of human behaviour. Having said that I’m very interested in this field and I try to follow all the recent discoveries with respect human behaviour and genetics. Nevertheless, most recent studies indicate epigenetics play much more significant role in human behaviour than genetics.
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I agree with the other scientists. Our genes are partly responsible for our behaviour. However, our brain chemistry is so complex it is really hard to determine how much is from our genes and how much is from our experiences. When someone has a brain cancer or a problem with a gene that affects brain function then it can have an affect on behaviour, but our experiences cause us to make decisions about how to behave as well. I don’t think there will ever be a simple answer to this question!
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