Chapter 3.1 Genetic Heritage

Chapter 3.1

Genetic Heritage

First Law of Socio-Genetics:  Celibacy is not hereditary.

Anonymous

(You know, there are some really good quotes here … you just can’t skim over these masterpieces.)

Of course from a scientific viewpoint we can all agree that we each have a genetic heritage.  Genetics is an extremely interesting science (to some at least), in that it is the blend of two people, father and mother, who usually have something in common (at least at the moment of conception.)  This tiny little sperm and this tiny little egg carry more information than memory cards and Ipods.

The particular coding of these generative cells then combine, with the dominant characteristics out-weighing the recessive options for any particular part of the new human being.  The recessive genes may not be evident in the new person, but are not necessarily snuffed out.  They can be passed on for generations without showing themselves, when voila, a child shows up with blue eyes or blue hair, and everyone is confused (and some skeptical).

“Genetics explains why you look like your father, and if you don’t, why you don’t.”

Anonymous

We are all more aware of the physical genetic results, but tend to forget that other internal capabilities are also passed on … perhaps math skills, verbal skills, musical abilities, mental toughness, concentration powers, humor, etc.  The person’s intelligence, personality traits, thought processing, emotional responses, skill adaptabilities, affinity for jewelry, and more things than we can probably prove scientifically, are all a part of bringing this person into the world.

We have a tendency to think that many of these traits are 100 percent behavioral.  Certainly, behaviors can be modified, i.e. our responses in certain situations can change, but I’m not sure that some of these behavior patterns aren’t still there … we just hide them so that we can be more productive, accepted, cohesive members in the society that we are born.

When my wife and I were first married in the early seventies, we were a part of the “free-spirit/ free-thinking” generation that was stirring the establishment in circles.  This generation has now been absorbed in the Baby-Boomer title … how did that happen?  What happened to the Peace and Love generation? At any rate, we weren’t heavy activists, mind you, but we did agree with many of the concepts and beliefs.

One of those beliefs was that children should not be molded into the traditional gender molds … you know, that it is OK for boys to play with dolls and girls with trucks … a unisex approach.  So we have a little boy, then a little girl.  The little boy would sit in the mud and play with his trucks, and the little girl was kind of prissy then, and wanted no part of dirty-yucky.  Light-bulb! Something intrinsic working here.

“We have nine children now, half boys and half girls.”

Mark Twain (1835-1910)   American Humorist/Writer

Of course, per Brain Sex by Anne Moir and David Jessel, the degree of supposed male and female traits is pre-determined shortly after conception.  Their research indicates that all of us are born with female brains (good news for the feminists that believe in Her.)  After six or seven weeks, the chromosomes start producing hormones that shape the patterns of the brain, a kind of a blast of hormones that paints the brain of the little embryo (XX or XY) in varying shades of blue and pink, and some purple.

“The evidence suggests that brain sexing is a matter of degree: the more male hormone the foetus is exposed to, the more the adult will be male in behavior.  The less the amount of male hormone, the more feminine the adult behavior.”

Brain Sex Anne Moir and David Jessel

Hence, a range of girls in white frilly dresses to girls who play with frogs, artisan boys and mini-machos.  Certainly if we recognize that people have been born with certain strengths and, more importantly, weaknesses, we would perhaps approach them more compassionately and less judgmentally.   I do have to admit, however, that there will still be some folk that will remain damn irritating.

“The road to truth is long and lined the entire way with annoying bastards.”

Alexander Jablokov   Science Fiction Writer

Then again, maybe some of these elements we need to change in ourselves, (those we have brought with us from previous times … S-K), are exactly those things that we need to work on in this life.

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