Blog #5

One thing I learned in this chapter was about molecular genetics. Scientists study genes and seek to identify which specific genes are linked to influencing certain behaviors. Genetics tests can now identify if a baby is at risk for a certain disease before it is even born. In some countries like China, where boys are highly valued, the testing of a child's sex has led to millions of abortions. In the future doctors may screen children before they are born or possibly be able to alter their genes to make them to the parent's wants. I don't agree with this. I think it would lead to a bunch of wonder kids that are completely perfect. It just isn't right. I can understand altering genes to prevent a deadly disorder or something bad like that but genes should not be changed to change looks.
Another thing I learned from the chapter is about how everything we observe when we are younger has an affect on our brain development. You can see this every day. With most kids you can tell which ones have very supportive parents and which ones don't. The kids with parents that care a lot seem to excel more in life than those with parents who don't care at all. When we are maturing it is important that we develop all the parts of our brain because otherwise those cells can be used for something else.
One other thing that I liked to learn about was about how our gender affects us in so many ways. The book talks about all the differences between males and females and I thought it was neat to read about some of it. Most of it I already knew about, but it was cool to read more in depth on it. I also thought it was funny reading about the male answer syndrome. I never realized how true it was. When talking to most guys they would rather make up a completely wrong answer that could possibly be right instead of saying that they just don't know.