The Dna Mystique Looks Into The Power Of The Gene - 918 Words

The DNA Mystique looks into the power of the gene in today’s society. Dorothy Nelkin and Susan Lindee (1995) describe the evolution of the gene as a cultural icon. Society puts a huge emphasis on understanding everyday behavior and the â€Å"secret of life† through genetic essentialism. According to Nelkin and Lindee genetic essentialism â€Å"reduces the self to a molecular entity, equating human beings, in all their social, historical, and moral complexity, with their genes† (p. 337). DNA is used as a way to define the individual’s true self and understand the evolution of a person’s identity. Nelkin and Lindee discuss the intersection of science and popular culture to shape the cultural meaning of the gene (p. 338). They lay out a timeline of genetic mapping and the use of genome research to determine future outcomes. Nelkin and Lindee identify the three themes of understanding the human genome as â€Å"the essence of identity, a promise to enh ance prediction of human behavior and health, and a image of the genome as a way to define natural order† (p. 340). Genetic research has recently started to function as way for people to understand past performance and future potential. The power of the genome is represented by words often used to label it like the Bible, a dictionary, a map, and a blueprint. A lot of research has been done to prove that genetic prediction will help control over behavior and disease. However, there is also the continuing question of the effects of nature andShow MoreRelatedNature vs Nurture2032 Words   |  9 Pagesas identical as once thought, according to a new DNA study. One twin might get cancer while the other is not susceptible, for example. Many identical twins clearly behave differently as they grow older, and some even grow to look less alike. Such differences dont have anything to do with the twins identical DNA, which is like the software of life, but in how genes express themsel ves. The differences stem from chemical modifications in the genes over the years. These effects are the result of