rent.) A gene is a segment of DNA or asequence of nucleotides in DNA that codes for a functional product, (Tortora,Microbiology. p. 575.) These genes not only affect our outlook, but also play asignificant role in determining our behavior and our well-being. Through newgenetic studies, clinical observation, and research on identical twins andadopted children, we are becoming increasingly aware that many of the humancharacteristics previously taken for granted as products of childhood rearing andenvironment are rooted in the genetic matrix., (Neubrauer, Peter. p 38) Studiesof identical twins reared apart have provided researchers with a lot of cluesabout the role of heredity in every day life behavior. Twins (monozygotes) are ofextraordinary importance when studying heredity because they share identicalcopies of genes. An interesting study on twin brothers who were separated atbirth and raised in different countries by respective adoptive parents showedthat they both kept their lives neat, neat to the point of pathology. Their clotheswere preened, appointments met precisely on time. When asked about the reason they felt to be so clean, the first onereplied My mother. When I was growing up she always kept the house perfectlyordered. She insisted on every little thing returned to its proper place,... I learnedfrom her. What else could I do? When his twin brother was asked the samequestion he answered The reason is quite simple. Im reacting to my mother,who was an absolute slob., (Neubrauer, Peter P 21) In this example, we see anatural preference based on heredity. Both twins blamed their mothers for theirbehaviors, while none of the mothers required such neatness. Another study onheredity and alcoholism conducted by Goodwin et al (1973) indicated thatadoptees with alcoholic parents were four times more likely to become alcoholicsthan those without, although there was no such relationship with alcohol misusein adoptive parents, ( Pelle, St...
