Genetics and Human Behavior

Do we act the way we do because of genetics or is it the environment that shaped our behaviors? Out of all the topics of genetics I am interested in, this is one of the most fascinating to me. At first thought, you may think that human behavior is a direct result of what happens to you in the past and in the present. However, have you ever found yourself saying, “Gosh, that’s something my mother would say or do!” You have to wonder if you replicate the behaviors of your parents or grandparents, then genetics must play some part, or do they?

The great debate of nature versus nurture carries on for many things, and that includes human behavior and genetics. If you behave as your parents did, is it because you inherited those behaviors or because they raised you and you just adopted them?

Researchers have been studying human behavior and genetics but it seems to  be a difficult endeavor since so many genes are responsible for how someone acts. The motivation to continue human behavior is also not as strong as studying genes that have health implications such those are much  more useful to treat diseases and disorders.

So what do you think? Do you think human behavior is inherited or is it a person’s upbringing or environment?

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sil_intocameramia/1301552135/)

June 18th, 2009 by Marcelina Hardy | Posted in Genetics and Society | (0)