Since writing the "Religiously Scientific" entry I have been thinking about several of the points I raised. I think for the next few submissions I will branch off from that first article in various directions.
In my first draft of the "Religiously Scientific" essay, I went on a lengthy genomics tangent, elaborating on the recent trend to link everything to our genome. As I previously mentioned there is no doubt in my mind that most facets of our health are in fact linked to our genes such as predisposition to heart problems, cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc. My problem is with over-reliance on genes or any other branch of science to explain or predict everything. In my opinion genomics is the successor to psychology as the reason for all of society’s ills. Instead of saying "he was abused as a child" we are on path to saying “he had the psycho gene"!
This whole topic reminded me of a concept I learned about in a high school philosophy class: fatalism. Fatalism is defined (by wikipedia) as a “philosophical doctrine emphasizing the subjugation of all events or actions to fate or inevitable predetermination”. In other words, all events are inevitable. What’s for diner next week? It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got a clue or want to decide last minute, if you are a fatalist you believe that choice is an illusion and the future has already been written. Although we appear to choose one option over another, a fatalist will tell you that our choice was predetermined.
Doesn’t fatalism sound eerily similar to genetic predisposition? Doesn’t it seem that having a “psycho gene” or having a traumatizing childhood limits one’s fate? Presently, several companies are offering personalized genetic testing: a service which screens the customer’s entire genome to determine what diseases he or she is susceptible to (link provided below). Is this same as a crystal ball for a fatalist? Would you want to know what’s waiting for you in your old age? Imagine this tool being used to screen for future rapists, psychos or pedophiles! Would it be fair to imprison someone for crimes they are “predisposed to commit”? Is it acceptable to be scared for potential genetic diseases?
If you read the article (link provided below), they criticize the genetic screen because nobody can predict how many gene mutations are actually required for eventual onset of a given disorder. Genetics is typically a study of correlation (i.e. 70% of people with breast cancer have a mutation in gene X). Therefore I doubt a DNA test will ever be used to imprison potential criminals. Similarly, I doubt that recently discovered “obesity”, “alcoholism”, “anger” and “depression” genes can condemn a baby to a terrible future. My fear is that these genes will be used in the future to remove accountability for one’s actions (i.e. “its not my fault I am lazy, I have the lazy gene!”).
The problem with fatalism is it leads to reckless abandon. If our choices don’t matter then why should we put in any effort into our lives, we can’t change our prewritten destinies. What happens if you find out you have the so-called “anger gene”? Do you yell excessively because you know that ultimately you will be an angry bastard/bitch? Do you try to bottle it up inside and develop a stress disorder? Do you take happy pills? Do you do nothing and live your life ignoring the fact that you have “anger” in your DNA?
In my first draft of the "Religiously Scientific" essay, I went on a lengthy genomics tangent, elaborating on the recent trend to link everything to our genome. As I previously mentioned there is no doubt in my mind that most facets of our health are in fact linked to our genes such as predisposition to heart problems, cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc. My problem is with over-reliance on genes or any other branch of science to explain or predict everything. In my opinion genomics is the successor to psychology as the reason for all of society’s ills. Instead of saying "he was abused as a child" we are on path to saying “he had the psycho gene"!
This whole topic reminded me of a concept I learned about in a high school philosophy class: fatalism. Fatalism is defined (by wikipedia) as a “philosophical doctrine emphasizing the subjugation of all events or actions to fate or inevitable predetermination”. In other words, all events are inevitable. What’s for diner next week? It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got a clue or want to decide last minute, if you are a fatalist you believe that choice is an illusion and the future has already been written. Although we appear to choose one option over another, a fatalist will tell you that our choice was predetermined.
Doesn’t fatalism sound eerily similar to genetic predisposition? Doesn’t it seem that having a “psycho gene” or having a traumatizing childhood limits one’s fate? Presently, several companies are offering personalized genetic testing: a service which screens the customer’s entire genome to determine what diseases he or she is susceptible to (link provided below). Is this same as a crystal ball for a fatalist? Would you want to know what’s waiting for you in your old age? Imagine this tool being used to screen for future rapists, psychos or pedophiles! Would it be fair to imprison someone for crimes they are “predisposed to commit”? Is it acceptable to be scared for potential genetic diseases?
If you read the article (link provided below), they criticize the genetic screen because nobody can predict how many gene mutations are actually required for eventual onset of a given disorder. Genetics is typically a study of correlation (i.e. 70% of people with breast cancer have a mutation in gene X). Therefore I doubt a DNA test will ever be used to imprison potential criminals. Similarly, I doubt that recently discovered “obesity”, “alcoholism”, “anger” and “depression” genes can condemn a baby to a terrible future. My fear is that these genes will be used in the future to remove accountability for one’s actions (i.e. “its not my fault I am lazy, I have the lazy gene!”).
The problem with fatalism is it leads to reckless abandon. If our choices don’t matter then why should we put in any effort into our lives, we can’t change our prewritten destinies. What happens if you find out you have the so-called “anger gene”? Do you yell excessively because you know that ultimately you will be an angry bastard/bitch? Do you try to bottle it up inside and develop a stress disorder? Do you take happy pills? Do you do nothing and live your life ignoring the fact that you have “anger” in your DNA?
I believe in choice. No pre-written destinies. No pre-established diseases. In science there are usually two factors to most diseases: genetics and environment. Even though you are at risk for an illness or obesity or alcoholism, it’s not necessarily a guarantee. With the right diet, lifestyle, support and possibly preventative medicine you may get lucky and beat the odds. Similarly, growing up in a shitty neighborhood predisposes you to plenty of terrible things but some people make it out and beat the odds!
http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10250288
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