Spirit and Heredity

Beginning of article

WHILE advances in genetic research hold great promise for increasing crop productivity and other benefits, there are other aspects of this work that have a grim message. As geneticists have analyzed our biological heritage, many have come to believe that certain proclivities--such as a tendency toward alcoholism, for example--are inherent in the genetic makeup of some people. This cruel theory would condemn us to be forever subject to the outbreak of disease or a failure to rise above moral lapses or antisocial behavior because our genes are flawed. Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that many people fear the implications of genetic research.

Yet there is an …