SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Sun Tzu who wrote (142418)8/3/2004 2:36:42 PM
From: Dr. Id  Read Replies (1) of 281500
 
To draw the conclusions that they did, the mice would have to be twins. And, if twins separated at birth, they would obviously have an identical genetic structure and thus any differences would have to be due to environment (or an interaction with the environment and genetics). If not twins, the study would mean that in identical environments that genetics were primarily responsible for differences in tastes and behaviors.

The question of nature vs nurture is an old one and probably a somewhat spurious one. There are so many interactions that to somehow relate a trait or behavior to one or the other is overly simplistic (though many try to reduce everything these days).
Many have tried to suggest that genetics play a larger part than environment, and many racist arguments have used the genetics over environment idea to suggest differences in intelligence. Most real scientists reject those kinds of conclusions as full of confounds and inconsistencies. Even if you could somehow say that a given trait is primarily genetic, there is no way to measure how much of the varience is determined by environmental factors.

And to bring the discussion to be relevant to the list, if one has good genetics but is raised in an environment in which he doesn't study, drinks excessively, and snorts too much cocaine, that can mediate whatever genetic advantages with which that person began life. Thus, even with decent genetics but a poor environment, one can wind up a little stupid.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News