|
Science Friday > Archives > 2003 > May
> May 2, 2003:
Hour One: Genetics
and Behavior
We've all heard the stories of twins, separated at birth, re-united
years later to find they have a lot in common -- not just similarities
in their physical appearance, but shared preferences for certain foods,
cars, and activities. Some human qualities, such as eye color, are
clearly genetic. But what about more complex traits -- the ones that
make up our behavior?
The question of nature versus nurture isn't new. But with the sequencing
of the human genome completed, are scientists any closer to finding
links between genetics and behavior? In this hour, we'll hear the
latest on the field of behavioral genetics as well as discuss the
ethical and philosophical questions that knowledge of genetic links
to behavior might raise. Do we really have free will? Or is much of
our life pre-programmed by our genes? We'll be speaking with two researchers
presenting at this week's seminar "Can
We Talk? A Public Conversation About Behavioral Genetics and Society,"
organized by the AAAS and the Hastings Center, and with the author
of a new book on the nature/nurture question. Call in with your questions
and comments at 1-800-989-8255, and share your opinions online in
our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).
Guests:
Nancy Press
Associate Professor, Department
of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon
Matt McGue
Professor of Psychology
University of Minnesota
Past president of the Behavior Genetics
Association
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Matt Ridley
Author,
"Nature Via Nurture: Genes, Experience, and What Makes Us Human" (HarperCollins,
2003)
Newcastle, England, United Kingdom
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
"Can We Talk? A
Public Conversation About Behavioral Genetics and Society"
Human
Genome Project: Genes and Behavior
Judicature:
Impact of Behavioral Genetics
Science
-- McGuffin et al. 291 (5507): 1232
Recent
Developments in Human Behavioral Genetics
BBC
Health - Features - Genetics and human behaviour
The
DNA Files - DNA & BEHAVIOR - The Topic In-Depth
This segment produced by Charles
Bergquist
|