Genetic Determinism and Free Will

In a book titled Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence, the authors attacked the biblical teaching of “original sin”. They insist that the September 11 attacks had nothing to do with moral “evil”. They maintain that a predisposition to violence “is written in the molecular chemistry of DNA”. The genes made them do it. This raises the obvious question, are we solely the by-product of our genes? To my mind, genetic determinism makes no sense in humans. Even if a genetic link is established, it can only mean we have a tendency to act in a certain way. There are too many factors, both biological and social, between a gene and a type of behaviour to justify any claim that one completely determines the other. The discovery of genes for physical traits, tends to reinforce the idea that we are merely by-products of our genes. In reality, it is not that simple. Genes act within a particular context and depend largely on what else is going on. Molecular biologists – who study the chemical activities of genes – quickly point out that it is not the genes alone. Genetic determinism cannot eliminate human freedom. A proper grasp of what we are and how we function is foundational to any well-ordered society. Human beings are the unity of two distinct realities – body and soul. “Scientific” talk (which is really naturalistic philosophy masquerading as true science) about genetic determinism can be misleading. Unless the limitations of genetic research are made clear, we will set a dangerous precedent in the long run. If we believe the gene myth that, “it is all in the genes”, we could as well absolve ourselves of all moral and social responsibility. The more we accept responsibility for who we are – body and soul with the freedom of choice – the more honest we become. To attribute everything to genetics only diminishes what it means to be human. It diminishes what it means to be created in the “likeness” and “image” of God (Genesis 1:27).