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As scientists understand more about our genetic makeup, one
thing they are beginning to explore is the possibility of links between genes
and behavior. Already it has been reported, that there may be genetic
predispositions for alcoholism, violence, and even sexual orientation. Some
people believe that much of our personality and behavior is genetically
determined. For Christians, the notion of genetic determinism raises serious
theological questions, because if our behavior is largely determined by our
genes then what becomes of the idea of free will - the notion that we have a
choice about how we act? If we don't really have a choice, but are compelled to
do things by our genetic makeup, then how can we be held morally accountable?
This question came to the fore in 1993 when Dean Hamer and his
team at the National Cancer Institute announced they had found a genetic
predisposition for homosexuality. The news was welcomed by many gay rights
groups who felt that if homosexuality was written in their genes then it must be
seen as natural, and not a moral choice. If it was part of their bodily makeup,
so to speak, then in could not be a sin. Theologian Ted Peters, who has written
extensively on this subject, has pointed out, however, that the theological
argument is not so simple. From a theological standpoint, Peters says, we all
have in-built tendencies towards sin - be it gluttony, anger, or whatever. But
according to Christian tradition, our moral duty is to try to rise above these
dispositions and to "transcend" our bodily "weaknesses".
Looked at from this stand point, even if homosexuality is built-in that does not
necessarily serve as a justification.
Peters' point is not to argue for or against homosexuality, but
to highlight the dangers of simplistic deterministic thinking. Take the case of
alcoholism, for example. If we come to think of alcoholism as genetically
determined, then will we start denying people with the relevant genes the right
to drink at all? Likewise, if we discover genes associated with violence, will
we screen everyone at birth and lock up those who possess the genes? There are
no easy answers here. The point is that scientific discoveries can often be
interpreted in many different ways, and nowhere more so than with the science of
genetics. For better or worse, genetics is challenging our ideas about what it
means to be human in powerful and often disturbing ways. Before we rush to
conclusions, we would do well to think through these issues carefully.
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| Contributed by: Margaret Wertheim
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