the impact of genetics on (children's) behavior

[jrtom]

http://www.newsweek.com/id/151758

I've asked my father (who's been a pediatrician longer than I've been alive) what he thinks about this.

I think that this is one of those cases in which a little knowledge (in this case, knowing that such studies exist, without knowing whether (and how) they apply to people you know, especially your children) is a dangerous thing. It seems like it would be very tempting to assume that certain behavioral tendencies were genetically driven--not because you have evidence, but because you know it's possible and because it can be comforting to believe that it's Not Your Fault. (Whatever it is.)

I think that it's entirely possible that our children will be the first generation for which most will have fairly comprehensive knowledge of, and possibly limited manipulation of, their own children's genetic makeup. This is not entirely reassuring: the makers of GATTACA made sure of that.

Comments

Designer babies

[fdmts.livejournal.com]

Forget designer babies.

I want designer baby boomers.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

I don't find this too scary. It's just putting a label on a fact that every parent and teacher has known for a long time: every child is different.