Nature versus Nurture Debate

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Factually Naturally

People have been arguing about nature versus nurture for centuries. Does genetics or

upraising have more effect on a person? Human development is influenced by various things.

But nature, genetics, contributes more to development than the environment does. While nurture

has some influence, nature has much more. Genes are responsible for altruism, personality is

linked to individual genes, and genetic disorders are effects of nature that can cause drastic

differences in quality of life. Genetics determine more of human development than environment.

Nature is what determines altruism, personality, and genetic disorders. Much work and research

has been done to support this, with various studies on each topic, like altruism.

Studies in the genetics of altruism suggest that altruism comes naturally, as shown by

chimps, infants, and twins. Nurture theories claim that it comes from experience and that it is

taught, but these studies prove that genetics are responsible, as altruism is innate. One finding in

chimpanzees, which have nearly identical genes to humans, shows that they are naturally

altruistic. Chimps are not taught to behave selflessly at all, but they do so anyway. They help

their human caretakers with acts, and stranger chimps get food without anything in return. The

scientific team concluded that chimps’ altruism is impulsive, not taught. Altruism is also present

in human infants. These infants have not been taught any social guidelines. They selflessly help

other humans anyway, like with assisting in tasks like opening doors. This proves the experience

theory wrong, since the infants have no experience of learning how to be selfless. Finally,

scientists working in twin studies also fo...

... middle of paper ...

...mpairments. Nearly all people with Down syndrome have some kind

of serious impairment. Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome 21. It also causes

physical problems—such as a deformed face, heart effects, and hearing problems, and

intellectual impairment. While the severity of the deficiency various from person to person, it is

always there (“Genes and Development”).

All these things that contribute to development are determined by genetics. Altruism,

personality, and genetic disorders are all determined by nature. Studies show that altruism is

innate, not learned. Genes have a confirmed correlation to personality. Finally, genetic disorders

caused by nature have direct effects on quality of life. When considering how to predict

development, people should always look at nature and genetics. Because when it comes to nature

versus nurture, nature wins.

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