How many times have you read somewhere that scientists have found gene that causes (alcoholism, obesity, gayness, sleeplessness, you insert the issue). Dr. Mercury provides a quote from Michael Crichton's novel Next:
Speaking in Washington at a noon briefing for congressmen, Professor William Garfield of the University of Minnesota said, "Despite what you hear, nobody has ever proven a single gene causes a single human behaviorial trait. Some of my colleagues believe such associations may eventually be found. Others don't think it will ever happen, that the interaction of genes and the environment is just too complex. But, in any case, we see reports of new genes for this or that in the papers every day, and none of them has ever proven true in the end.""What are you talking about?" said the aide to Senator Wilson. "What about the gay gene, that causes gayness?"
"A statistical association. Not causal. No gene causes sexual orientation."
"What about the violence gene?"
"Not verified in later research."
"A sleep gene was reported..."
"In rats."
"The gene for alcoholism?"
"Didn't hold up."
"What about the diabetes gene?"
"So far," he said, "we've identified ninety-six genes involved in diabetes. We'll undoubtedly find more."
There was a stunned silence. Finally, one aide said, "If no gene has been shown to cause behavior, what is all the fuss about?"
Professor Garfield shrugged. "Call it an urban legend. Call it a media myth. Blame public education in science. Because the public certainly believes that genes cause behavior. It seems to make sense. In reality, even hair color and height are not simple traits fixed by genes. And conditions like alcoholism certainly aren't."
Dr. Mercury can be found here, where there is a delightful article on the subject of alleged genetic causes of behaviors.
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