Genetics

The first step along the path to understanding ourselves must begin

with a look at genetics. Your DNA is to a large degree responsible for

your physical and mental abilities. Like it or not, you are born with

a biological blueprint, and we all go through life learning to accept

our genetic positives and negatives. In the year 2003, a biological

revolution will unfold: The Human Genome Project will be completed,

delivering an accurate DNA sequence representing the

genetic blueprint of the human species. For the first time, humans

will have the book of life.

Scientists will be able to treat diseases by isolating genes that

cause human ailments; they will be able to correct genetic abnormalities.

For the first time in recorded human history, it will be possible

to change humankind on a genetic level. The ethical, moral, and religious implications of this are, of course, profound. Only the

future will reveal how we use this power to change humankind.

From this monumental project comes interesting information.

Your ability to accept levels of risk may in fact be genetic in nature.

It has been assumed that risk taking was entirely psychological in

nature. There seems to be evidence of a gene that researchers

called the risk gene. The gene, known as D4DR, has been associated

with individuals who are risk takers. Another recently discovered

gene seems to regulate anxiety. If one has less of gene D4DR and

more of the anxiety gene, that individual may be very risk averse. It

may be that a balance of the two genes, combined with social and

human experience, contributes to one's success or failure in the

stock market. This information is based on recent data from the

Human Genome Project.

The first step along the path to understanding ourselves must begin

with a look at genetics. Your DNA is to a large degree responsible for

your physical and mental abilities. Like it or not, you are born with

a biological blueprint, and we all go through life learning to accept

our genetic positives and negatives. In the year 2003, a biological

revolution will unfold: The Human Genome Project will be completed,

delivering an accurate DNA sequence representing the

genetic blueprint of the human species. For the first time, humans

will have the book of life.

Scientists will be able to treat diseases by isolating genes that

cause human ailments; they will be able to correct genetic abnormalities.

For the first time in recorded human history, it will be possible

to change humankind on a genetic level. The ethical, moral, and religious implications of this are, of course, profound. Only the

future will reveal how we use this power to change humankind.

From this monumental project comes interesting information.

Your ability to accept levels of risk may in fact be genetic in nature.

It has been assumed that risk taking was entirely psychological in

nature. There seems to be evidence of a gene that researchers

called the risk gene. The gene, known as D4DR, has been associated

with individuals who are risk takers. Another recently discovered

gene seems to regulate anxiety. If one has less of gene D4DR and

more of the anxiety gene, that individual may be very risk averse. It

may be that a balance of the two genes, combined with social and

human experience, contributes to one's success or failure in the

stock market. This information is based on recent data from the

Human Genome Project.