Genes and Their Control Over Humans

Genes and Their Control Over Humans

' They (genes) are in you and me; they created us, body and mind'

This statement by Richard Dawkins poses the question of how much and

in what way our genes control us, whether they are responsible for our

hereditary features only, or for all behavior and environmental

aspects of our persona.

A reductionist view implies that only specific tasks are carried out

by the genes.We know that most genes synthesize for proteins, these

being chains of sub units, or amino acids (a.a) which in turn form the

bases of RNA ( ribonucleic acid) to determine the sequence of the a.a

by means of the genetic code. This process dictates whether the

protein made will become part of the structure of an organism, or an

enzyme for the production of a chemical change or reaction.

An holistic view would present with argument that our genes are not

just involved in biological processes, but can affect and be affected

by our lifestyle and environmental and social influences.

With these two views in mind, it is necessary to determine which

viewpoint Dawkins is following. Although the study of genetics has

been developed enormously over the years, we have still not totally

reached any conclusion on how genes specifically work and how far they

contribute to the creation of all traits.

1

Darwin introduced us to his principles of evolution in his book, ' On

the origin of the species.' In this he argued that the present-day

species evolved from a simpler life-form by the process of Natural

Selection. His evidence for this was from the variability to be found

within populations. What he was unable to prove, ...

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...-thinking' organisms. On this basis, they should be

able to self-correct any inconsistencies of hereditry. This does not

happen, our environment and social issues are also contributory

factors, therefore we must conclude that Dawkins' theory cannot be

from an holistic viewpoint.

4

Surely with all the interaction that takes place, within an organism,

there shows an interdependency of all parts of an organisms entire DNA

(deoxyribonucleic acid) componants.

The amino acid sequence, those that dictate structure or enzyme

formation, and not just the genes themselves, are the determining

factor and, it could be said, is what leads to the creation of body

and mind. Therefore, the organism as a whole, its environment and

behaviour patterns, in tandem with its genes, must be considered in

their entirety.