The Dependent Gene The Fallacy of "Nature vs. Nurture"

by Moore, David S.

• ISBN13: 9780805072808
• ISBN10: 0805072802
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-05
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks

Summary

A much-needed antidote to genetic determinism, The Dependent Gene reveals how all traits-even characteristics like eye and hair color-are caused by complex interactions between genes and the environment at every stage of biological and psychological development, from the single fertilized egg to full-grown adulthood. How we understand the nature versus nurture debate directly affects our thoughts about such basic issues as sex and reproduction, parenting, education, and crime, and has an enormous impact on social policy. With life-and-death questions in the balance surrounding stem-cell research, cloning, and DNA fingerprinting, we can no longer afford to be ignorant of human development. An enlightening guide to this brave new world, The Dependent Gene empowers us to take control of our own destiny.

Author Biography

David S. Moore, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Pitzer College and at Claremont Graduate University. He received his doctorate in developmental psychology from Harvard University and did his postdoctoral work at the City University of New York.

Table of Contents

Part I Where We're Going, Where We've Been
Introduction ``Hello Dolly'': The Future Is Now	3	(13)
From Aristotle's Wonder to a Fork in the Road: The Wrenching of Genetics from Development	16	(16)
What Galton's Eugenics Has Wrought: Behavior Genetics and Heritability	32	(17)
Listening to Twins: A Critique of Twin Studies	49	(18)
Part II Background Basics
Dependent Genes: Essential Biology and DNA	67	(15)
Running Noses, Smelling Feet: A Primer on Embryology	82	(8)
Brain Basics: Some Revelations of Developmental Neuroscience	90	(17)
Part III Developmental Systems
A Turtle in the Shade: The Development of Sexual Characteristics	107	(10)
The Dutch Hungerwinter and the Cat in the Hat: How Prenatal Environments Affect Our Traits	117	(12)
Chicken Shoes and Monkey Foods: The Not-So-Subtle Effects of Some Very Subtle Postnatal Experiences	129	(15)
Tornadoes, Stars, and Human Beings: The Developmental Systems Perspective	144	(15)
Part IV Development and Evolution
The Modern Synthesis: What Mother Nature Selects	159	(10)
Legacies: How We Get Our Environments	169	(11)
On Big Muscles and Facial Hair: Reconsidering ``Inherited,'' ``Acquired,'' and ``Innate''	180	(13)
The Fetal Ape: Consequences of Integrating Development and Evolution	193	(14)
Part V Implications
When Cows Fly: The Full-Blown Demise of Genetic Determinism	207	(9)
Budging the Bell Curve: Implications for Education	216	(6)
Finding the Cost of Freedom: Complexity and Responsibility	222	(6)
Medical Marvels: Implications for Genetic and Environmental Therapies	228	(9)
Owning Cloning: Implications for New Reproductive Technologies	237	(5)
Epilogue In the Beginning	242	(3)
Acknowledgments	245	(2)
Notes	247	(43)
References	290	(13)
Index	303

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