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Just a thought: Can DNA dictate one's decisions for the rest of their lives? Some people have thought that all decisions and actions an individual makes are determined by someone or something else, and that it is impossible to change.

What if DNA predetermines our actions from the day we are born?

Well I think if DNA is responsible for how we are formed, then it might determine our mentality in some way. But I also think it has to do with our environment too. The thing is, the way we think will influence our actions.
So maybe DNA is partially responsible for what we do in life, but not completely.

dna is us but not all there is too us we do have the choose of changing it somewhat with rna sequences etc dna really mostly determines just the way your body is built but even then its not 100% thats why even if you had clone it would not be 100% like you not only outside experiences but food and other things can have impact on you as well along with choose and freewill all tho many don't believe in freewill i do so no dna doesn't determine everything but it is the basic blueprint of your body's design
Edited by cryptkeeper, 28 February 2008 - 05:35.

Partially really, but fate is what we make

Fate is a fine thread which we weave ourselves.

Basically, DNA is that which stores the information needed to replicate your cells and make cells do "work". Your personality is partly dictated by your genes but ultimately developed mostly in your childhood through the actions of others you take after. What actions you take in your life is just an extension of that, but is not set in stone by DNA or anything.

if DNA dictates all actions and choices you made, what do we need a brain for with billions of neurons and connections and whatever is in there we still haven't figured out.

Because first of all, the DNA makes the brain and the brain makes the decisions. It's indirect.

And secondly, the DNA only takes care of the basic makeup of the brain and the rest of the body. Once you're born, external influences modify your body, most of all your brain as it learns. DNA only provides the 'motherboard' and the 'hard disc' but it's what gets stored on it afterwards that makes the body do what it does.

Aftershock, on 28 Feb 2008, 13:39, said:

DNA codes for proteins and enzymes which catalyse certain reactions which start processes.

For example, if a cell needs to break down sugars, it makes a copy of a part of the DNA code which translates into "make enzyme A, which breaks down sugars". The enzyme then acts as a catalyst and accelerates the breakdown of the sugars by a factor of about one million or billion, and the process takes place. If enough sugars are broken down, another part of the DNA that translates into something like "make an inhibitor molecule for enzyme A" is copied and the enzymes are inactivated, stopping the breakdown of sugars, etc. This is basically how DNA regulates cell processes.

I was wondering if I'd be the first to say Nature vs Nurture.

Look at twin studies in the USA and UK, especially of children born during WWII, one parent (American Soldier) takes a child home, the other remains here with the UK based parent. The children aren't the same.

DNA can make you vunerable to heart attacks but ti won't guarantee you'll die of one.

There's this study they did with two twins, both of whom were separated at birth but went on to lead extraordinarily similar lives.

imo DNA is fate. its just not completely "hardcoded" as most of people think of fate.
it alters by environment and many more factors, its altered even by the food you consume...

DNA is the INI files. Life is the replay.

CodeCat, on 28 Feb 2008, 21:12, said:

Why did I get the feeling someone was going to say that .

I know some people that feel their models could've been better if that is the case.
Edited by Wizard, 29 February 2008 - 08:47.

So true, Wizard... so true...

And if that were the case, I'd rescript this mission (i.e. my current life) and change the story

On topic though, it is entirely possible that DNA does play a part in how your life plays out. If not, what can we put it down to? Astrology?

Quote

How your parents behave?
Your schooling?
Even which sports you watch.

CodeCat, on 29 Feb 2008, 3:12, said:

life is an adventure game, the graphics are nice, but the plot sucks.
also, the end boss is kinda OP, no one survived him yet...

G-sus, on 29 Feb 2008, 12:54, said:

That has to be the single greatest analogy I have ever heard!

G-sus, on 29 Feb 2008, 12:54, said:

A cryogenic freeze ray will hold him off.

G-sus, on 29 Feb 2008, 12:54, said:

i have not laughed so hard in ages

CoLT, on 29 Feb 2008, 3:26, said:

why do we have to put it down to anything

personally i still believe we have the ability to change are selves more then we realize

So you don't believe in a set path in life?

tbh not really

enviroment changes and ppls fate change with it

no there no set path but there in fact hundreds if not countless of paths you can choose in single life time how ever there are those many who stay on a path of there environment but they choose to.

how every i will admit ever person has limited life time and we are limited in a certain fashion that of realistic proportions so no one just going to spring 10 meters tall just becuase they want to but realistic chooses like a kid born in a bad environment with drug dealing gangs etc chooses to abandon his environment and move far away and at that moment he choose to leave behind the path his environment wanted for him.
Edited by cryptkeeper, 02 March 2008 - 16:35.