Article: Twins separated at birth reveal staggering influence of genetics

AndersonsInfo

For discussion…

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/08/12/twins-separated-at-birth-reveal-staggering-influence-genetics/?intcmp=obnetwork

Twins separated at birth reveal staggering influence of genetics

By Tanya Lewis

Published August 12, 2014

WASHINGTON Jim Lewis and Jim Springer were identical twins raised apart from the age of 4 weeks. When the twins were finally reunited at the age of 39 in 1979, they discovered they both suffered from tension headaches, were prone to nail biting, smoked Salem cigarettes, drove the same type of car and even vacationed at the same beach in Florida.

The culprit for the odd similarities? Genes.

Genes can help explain why someone is gay or straight, religious or not, brainy or not, and even whether they're likely to develop gum disease, one psychologist explains.

Such broad-ranging genetic effects first came to light in a landmark study Minnesota Twin Family Study conducted from 1979 to 1999, which followed identical and fraternal twins who were separated at an early age.

Frazzled UBM

It is bizarre to think that genetics could determine which cigarette brand you smoke

sir82

Typical JW response:

"Well of course! Our genes have been corrupted by inheriting sin from Adam! So it is not surprising that 'unclean practices' like homosexuality and smoking are genetically inherited."

JWs have an answer for everything.

A reasonable, rational, answer for everything? Of course not. But one that sounds good enough to not disturb their fantasy? Of course!

Simon

In the nature vs nurture debate, I prefer to think that genetics provide a certain predisposition to the influences of our experiences.

i.e. neither nature or nurture define who we are - both just affect the odds of certain environmental effects changing us

... but we can always break free of our programming and re-invent ourselves.