Genetic Determinism

The science of genetics arose in the late 19^th and early 20^th Centuries through the studies of Gregory Mendel and William Bateson, followed by the discovery of chromosomes, DNA and genomes. These developments fit in well with the theory of natural selection, as they provided the mechanism through which physiological traits were inherited.

As was to be expected, it was not long before speculations arose regarding an alleged genetic programming of certain aspects of human behavior, particularly selfishness, aggression and territorialism. During the 1970s, there was even an attempt to raise genetic determinism to the status of science under the name of ‘Sociobiology’.

However, such assumptions are entirely lacking in empirical evidence. Despite the significant progress made in the field of genetics, no genome has ever been found that might serve such a purpose. Sociobiologists are limited to attributing genetic explanations to human behaviors based merely on their predominance.

For example, if in most societies the men go out looking for family sustenance while the women take care of the home, then this is ascribed a genetic origin on that sole basis. It is a circular argument, which confuses observations with their explanation, like saying that if 99% of all Latin Americans are Catholic, it is because they have a gene for Catholicism.

Furthermore, were we to accept such an explanation for one pattern of conduct, it would also have to be applied to thousands of other behaviors found in most societies, including all of the ways in which we care for and support one another. We simply do not have sufficient genetic material to program even one of these behavioral traits. There is just barely enough to structure our bodies and provide the neurons needed to learn from experience.

The Seville Statement on Violence concludes that it is “scientifically incorrect to say that war or any other violent behavior is genetically program­med into our human nature.”

For further information on this topic, by the same author, please click here.