THE DEPENDENT GENE: The Fallacy of Nature vs. Nurture

Western assessment of humankind has long involved genetics and Darwinian theory: "good" genes yield beauty and charm; "bad" genes are blamed for depression and violence. Drawing on recent work by many developmentalists, Moore, a professor of psychology at Pitzer College and Claremont Graduate University, proposes the Developmental Systems Perspective, a comprehensive theory maintaining that genes alone cannot determine our traits. Instead, our traits are highly influenced by a hierarchical series of interactions involving information from sperm, egg, cytoplasm, mother's health and the world at large. External environmental factors such as habits, nutrition, access to healthcare, parents' income can affect birth weight and countless other factors. Traits, says Moore, are determined by the interaction of genetic and nongenetic factors, none of which is "more important than any other; instead, they are all merely collaborators." Moore ably demonstrates the danger of genetically based judgments, citing such ill-fated examples of genetic determinism as George Bush Sr.'s Alcohol and Drug Initiative in the early 1990s to target and treat potentially violent criminals and, of course, the Nazis' gruesome projects. Historically, simplistic evolutionary models have been used to discriminate against groups from African-Americans to epileptics. Substantial discussion of eugenics and genetic typing brings into focus the ethical considerations of such models. Moore's developmental bent duly considers Darwinian development and other factors. Scientists and social service providers will be intrigued by this well-written, insightful and far more optimistic view of human development and evolution than most that have come before. (Jan. 16)

Forecast:Renowned Darwinist Ernst Mayr's What Evolution Is, also due in January, will provide an interesting counterpoint to this one. Expect better than ordinary sales for both based on their conflicting perspectives.