DNA is human code...

[hd581]

...so basically we're just extremely complex machines responding to our code set. Our entire mindset revolves around that code. Our susceptability to certain emotions defines our attitude. And our attitude defines our actions. Ergo, DNA defines our actions. Can the DNA be changed, ie humans be reprogrammed?

[medo]

Hello,

Theoretically – yes and probably will be practically in non far future (and that’s scary).

Medo

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[agentcue]

Then there is the constant debate of Nature (DNA coding) Vs. Nurture (life experiences)and which one conributes *more* to personality.

My $0.02. (dont start flaming over this post, we can have a civilized debate)

[seti]

DNA doesn't govern our life experiences...it doesn't control the people we meet and get influenced by. It doesn't have a say in what books our friends recommend we read that change the way we interpret some things. Nor does it introduce the combination of hardships we inure (loosening family members, getting dumped, ect) that shape our personality throughout life. DNA code is like house blue prints in that they don't show how to decorate.

However, if you could “program” humans with low IQ’s, they would be more susceptible to the subjections of those who would do such a thing.

[medo]

Hello,

Seti - I can agree with the most of your statement but look at twins and how similar is reaction of them.


Medo

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[hd581]

Mmmm no, it DOES define our every movements. Traits such as reflexes, vision, height, weight, and intuition are all defined by our DNA code. These are exactly the things that influence our daily lives. You spoke of books. There are traits that influence our minds so as to prefer one book over another. Yes our actions and experiences form us, but our DNA forms our actions and experiences.

[GregM]

Dont' forget the prenatel experience. We have to seperate congenital from genetic. Twin studies don't do that unless they were gestated in seperate surrogate mothers. Psyches claim most significant personality traits are ingrained by age 5 or 6. That allows a lot nurture influence. During young adulthood, there is much evidence that individuality assertion is influenced by external factors but it appears, from what I heard, that genetic traits reassert themselves in late adulthood so that twins which seem to diverge in behaviour in there teens may be much more similar as retirees. I think that shows environment does play a role in behaviour but we can't escape what we fundamentally are as determined by our genes. Surely you don't think a child who is beaten daily will have all the same responses as it's separated twin which is pampered.

[NeilTrain]

I just finished a semester of Biology in college, the previous semester i took an Assembly language course, after learning the assembly code (a bunch of 3 letter commands followed by n number of 'parameters' i guess you could call them) then learning about genetic code (a bunch of 3 letter combinations, in really long strings that produce protiens, which in turn affect your body) its weird how similar the two are.

Of course humans make computer code (which is full of bugs) and nature made genetic code (which is arguably flawless) I think its an obvious clue that humans shouldnt start messing with genetic code until they can make perfect computer code, frying a computer chip is one thing, but frying my cells isn't cool.

If only we could make code that could adapt and grow the way genetic code does. One drawback is that genetic code has taken billions of years to get where it is, so eveolution is pretty slow. It seems logical that if you try to "reprogram" DNA code, it will adapt, possibly back to the way it was before, or adapt to stop other people from messing with it.

Some anti-virus developers are working on software that will adapt to new threats the same way the human immune system does, but its a long way off from being copleted. The human system is pretty simple, it attacks and tries to destroy all foriegn objects, but in computers, new files, applications, and settings are introduced all the time, so just attacking all the new stuff wont work, but they are moving along the right track.