Are We Controlled by Our Genes?
Finding Criminals in Your Family Tree Doesn't Make You One
There is ongoing debate whether or not our behavior is controlled by our genes, which can make some of your genealogy discoveries a little troublesome.
Once your family tree starts to grow, you will undoubtedly start to really get a good look at all the different people who contributed to make you who you are. The dozens of generations of direct ancestors, each of whom has donated a little piece of themselves through the years to result in you.
Possibly a little philosophical, but a fact nonetheless. Genetic material is passed from parent to child, for generations, combining to create another unique person. You may be unique, but you cannot forget that you are the culmination of so many other people. Parts of them are parts of you.
That may lead you to some concern if you find your family tree is riddled with crooks, thieves, criminals or other unsavoury folk. Are you doomed to follow the pattern, since your genes have come from that source?
Nature vs. Nurture
This leads to a controversial topic, usually referred to as "Nature or Nurture". The center of the debate, is whether our lives are truly controlled by our genes (nature) or by our upbringing (nuture). Can bad behavior be passed down through our family trees, just like a dominant hair colour? Or is bad behavior solely a result of one's childhood and adult experiences?
Even with modern science today, there is no final answer. Certain features like eye or skin colour, stature or facial features are all ultimately linked to your genes are can be seen repeatedly through a family tree. Even hereditary diseases will work their way through your ancestry. Other aspects of who you are, can't be so easily measured.
As the human genetic structure is mapped out, we are learning more and more about it. There do seem to be examples of how behavior can be linked to genes. Some recent studies include:
- Good Behavior, Religiousness may be Genetic
- Genetic Basis for Malevolent Behavior
- Genes and Behavior: Liberation or Destiny
Keep it in Perspective
While these examples do show that "nature" seems to be winning out, that doesn't mean your fate is sealed. Your distant ancestors are just that, distant. Only 5 generations ago, your great-great-great-grandparents contributed just over 3% of your current genetic make-up. That's not very much. Going farther back, it just continues to shrink.
Besides, it's usually very general traits that are tied to genetics, like risk-taking or aggressive behavior. You aren't going to find specific habits like pick-pocketing or tax evasion in your DNA. Genealogy will show you where you came from, not the kind of person you are going to be.
Sources
Human Genome Project website - Behavioral Genetics
