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HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE GENETIC RESEARCH AND WHAT ARE ITS ETHICAL
IMPLICATIONS?
1. Assumptions of genetic research:
The mechanism of heredity applies both to characteristics from parents to children, as well
as to the whole process of evolution (Darwin).
Inherited factors influence behaviour and mental abilities.
Genes need environment to actualise their potential.
Some genes express themselves more directly (e.g. Huntington’s disease) than others (e.g.
Alzheimer’s disease).
2. Methods of genetic research:
• Family resemblance (concordance) studies – twin studies, adoptive studies – (-)
natural experiments (for detailed discussion – please look Glassman, p. 89).
• Molecular genetics – extracting and comparing genetic material from potentially
comparable families – (-) possessing a given gene does not automatically mean its
development.
3. Conclusion – variable effects of genes upon behaviour and methodological problems
connected with the research imply that special care needs to be taken in how the
knowledge is interpreted and used.
4. Evolutionary psychology – attempts to apply the concept of evolution in order to
enhance our understanding to behaviour (Glassman, p.90-93). One area that has been
hotly debated is the relevance of evolutionary interpretation of gender (e.g. courting and
mate selection) (-) post hoc interpretations.
5. Despite the difficulties of conducting rigorous studies, concordance research has added to
our knowledge on the role of heredity and environment in development (nativism –
empiricism, nature – nurture debate). Modern psychologists largely accept the
interactionist view (interwoven influences). Fields of research:
INTELLIGENCE
6. Genetic studies in the past – especially the infamous studies on intelligence. Research
into genetic basis of intelligence was based on faulty assumptions and methodology, and
was used for selection purposes. It was politically motivated, researchers were biased,
family resemblance studies were poorly controlled and IQ tests were culturally biased.
Eugenic pol