I recently listened to The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature, by Matt Ridley - a deep dive into genetics, including DNA as a natural, powerful, and unconscious force in human behavior. DNA, the "blueprint" of reproduction, is in every creature. Our individual human DNA is - with countless genetic variations - set at conception. It is our invisible, physical badge of humanity. But human DNA is ever, if slowly, evolving.
Ridley’s impressively-researched book focuses, in part, on the genetic effects - the physical but subconscious effects - of millennia of human civilization, including a male tendency to compete in status and power. Within reason, competition is fun and wholesome, but it - and the fear of defeat - can produce injustice, intimidation, abuse of others, and a get-away-with-it erosion of personal responsibility. Again, though - DNA, the biological driver of life in general and species reproduction in particular, evolves. Human DNA evolves.
So here is a thought experiment: In what direction are my life choices, particularly the way I conduct myself as a parent, friend and citizen, likely to be nudging my DNA?
We can at least imagine steering the evolution of our own DNA by our behavior. That is hypothetically important when we are of an age and desire to have children, either as father or mother.
But we need not have any children of our own to experience satisfaction in striving, by our life choices, figuratively to become - genes of respect, even love, for others; genes of contributing to others - to society.
Indeed, of much greater importance that our actual genes is the example of functioning adulthood and citizenship we give to others throughout our lives. So, the more important part of this experiment is to ask: Am I trying by my example to support others I meet in their nudging, by their behavior, their DNA in the direction of vigor, gratitude, a positive outlook on life, openness, respect for self and others, and good citizenship - and away from laziness, depression, negativity, belligerence and entitlement?
