GENES AND HUMAN-BEHAVIOR - THE EMERGING PARADIGM

The physical properties of human beings and other organisms as well as their social behavioral traits are manifestations of both genetic inh eritance and environment. Recent behavioral research has indicated tha t certain characteristics or behaviors-such as schizophrenia, divorce, and homosexuality-are highly heritable and are not governed exclusive ly by social environment. A balanced view of human behavior includes t he effects of social learning as well as of generically determined beh avior. A new paradigm promotes enhanced understanding and acceptance o f human diversity be it cultural, racial, or sexual, and has the poten tial to unite scientists and theologians by creating common grounds of understanding.