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Michael Natkanski's avatar

Yes we share an evolutionary heritage, but modern science has shown robustly that genes do not determine behaviour as such. Genetic determinism remains well-established in the public mind, because it is the most established hard-right propaganda that serves to maintain the toxic status quo that Caitlin challenges.

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George Cornell's avatar

You’re repeating yourself. Genetic influence, not determinism is what people believe, at least at an individual level, except for those who are childless or have not studied it. On a population level however “determinism” seems more apt. But separation from the influence of environment, is usually impossible. Rare experiments of nature cf. MZ twins separated at birth serve to distinguish to a degree. See gene-environment interaction and epigenetics.

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KW NORTON's avatar

Yes, precisely. Well said.

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