Genes and Justice: genetics through a social and ethical lens

Question 1

How much of who we are is due to genetics?

Answer 1

There is a longstanding nature vs. nurture debate.
Nature: If differences between us are primarily genetic, there’s not much we can do about them. On the other hand, people also can’t be blamed for those differences, because they can’t be helped.
Nurture: If the differences between us are primarily social, then we can make changes. On the other hand, if who we are is the result of human choices, we can be held responsible for those situations.

Question 2

How do we study the relationship between genetics and human traits?

Answer 2

Identical twin studies and genome-wide association studies are used to investigate the genetic and environmental contributions to traits

Question 3

What is Heritability ?

Answer 3

Heritability is the proportion of variability in a given population that can be accounted for by genetic differences. But heritability depends on the environment

Question 4

What is Biological determinism?

Answer 4

The idea that biology determines most/all of what we are, so that the differences between human groups is because of genetic

Question 5

What is meant by “social construction”?

Answer 5

Our cultures and social worlds strongly determine who we are. Gender and race are produced as social categories, but that doesn’t mean they’re not real!

Question 6

Anger and anxiety in response to racism produce a?

Answer 6

Stress response, causing a hormonal cascade. Over time, chronic stress causes changes in the brain and body