What I read
First step in study the roles of genes in empathy
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My response
It is unexpected for me
to know that empathy relates to genes. As I know, genes are a part of DNA and
determine some inherited traits, such as complexion, dimples on cheeks and eye
color, from parents to their offspring. So, I wonder that it is possible for
internal personality to transmit through genes. In my eyes, the factors causing
people to be empathetic, compassionate or patient are how they are brought up
and people surrounding them. Another factor is the way they train themselves.
However, as the news reported, it can be proved that genes have a role in empathy even in a small percent of the genetic differences found. I can't figure out now how we benefit from the study or other relevant studies because although we can't change our genetic traits, we can train our mind or shape our characteristics as we wish to be.
May be it can be used in marketing or something like that.
However, as the news reported, it can be proved that genes have a role in empathy even in a small percent of the genetic differences found. I can't figure out now how we benefit from the study or other relevant studies because although we can't change our genetic traits, we can train our mind or shape our characteristics as we wish to be.
May be it can be used in marketing or something like that.
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My question
Does the study in roles of genes in empathy benefit us? How?
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Reference
- Therrien, A. (2018, March 12). Genes have a role in empathy, study says. BBC News.Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/health-43343807
As other blog posts have also reminded us, I agree with Yok that what we learn from research often surprises us. It didn't surprise me to learn that our given genes at least partly determine things like empathy in our personality. It has been known for a long time now that intelligence is largely inherited, and dog breeders have long known that personality is heritable in their animals. When I first read a famous essay by economist Steven Levitt some years ago, I was surprised that having books sitting on shelves at home correlates strongly with academic performance in school, whereas parents reading to their children every night does not. The explanation of course is that books on shelves, even if the kids never look at them, is a sign of genes for intelligence in the parents, and those genes make the children do better in school. I guess the lesson is that if you want your kids to do well, you have to choose the identity of the other parent carefully so that your kids have the right given genes.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that study the genes related to empathy will not give us such a great impact. As the news stated, they found 10 percent difference between people but can not pinpoint the specific part. These differences can be the result of other factors such as country of living, race, culture, medical background and so on. So I personally doubt those findings' significance.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I appreciate the last part that scientists try to relate the information they found with some mental disorders such as autism, schizophrenia and the others. Those illness have extensive study and have a strong relationship with genes and personalities. If possible, they might find the connection between empathy and those illness, possibly editing genes expression. That will be a novel therapeutics in psychiatry field.
I really surprise it. I understand same you that genes indicate physical characteristics only, but from the research shows empathy from gene. It makes me feel that there are so many different genes that I can think of. In the future, it is very likely that we will get to know what genes show up.
ReplyDeleteI have never thought that empathy could transfer from generation to generation by genes. If It could transmit from parents to their child, It would have some benefits and drawbacks as well. For example, some parents may not have a good sympathy, It is not good if their offspring gets some parts of it from them directly. So, It is good to know in the first place.
ReplyDelete