1. As a biology major, the unit on psychiatry and this unit were my most
anticipated chapters to study. They did not disappoint in stimulating
my thought process. I learned a great deal from this class and
specifically enjoyed the two units mentioned.
“In its approach to the relative influence of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’, and
‘biology’ and ‘culture’, genetics represents a major ‘paradigm shift’
towards biological explanations, both within medicine, and within the
social and behavioral sciences.” (Helman 356)
This unit reminded me of thoughts about becoming a geneticist fifteen
years ago before my decision on becoming a dentist was more
solidified. This class has made me re-think my career choice and the
possibilities again. Specifically in anthropology and genetics. I would
love to be apart of revolutionizing the world. Alas, I come back down
to earth and tell myself to stick with a less complicated career in
dentistry. In any event, this class has challenged my thinking.
!
Getting back to the topic at hand here. I believe that ‘nature’ and
‘nurture’ are finally being connected through technology, and genetics
is something in common with all three: ‘nature’, ‘nurture’’, and
‘neutral’. I uploaded a diagram I created inspired by this unit to
illustrate more clearly. I won’t go into detail about it now, but would
love to discuss it more if the occasion arises. ‘Nature’ and ‘nurture’
have been in challenge with each other and that is changing. This new
era of truth via universal connectedness and relatedness will create
very promising possibilities for the human race. Hard core brain
dysfunctions can and will be cured in the future through the “welding”
of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ with technology as its bonding machine.
Technology is the ‘neutral’ piece that was ‘missing’ in the past to make
this all possible. My idea of this comes from Helman on ‘geneticization’.
!
“More broadly, concern has also been expressed about the possible
‘genticization’ of ethnicity, disability, sexual non-conformity, criminal
behavior, and even human culture and social organization.” (Helman
358) If we can all agree universally through global collaboration in a
heightened state of connectedness where everyone is in touch with the
core inner-self that is universally within everyone, then the ethical and
moral issues surrounding the decisions to be made on creating beings
that need to be created to be one with ‘nature’ and the universe then

2. that act will supersede any human because the decision was made
collaboratively and collectively. How will this be accomplished?
Through pharmacology and technology.
!
“Producing persons is an inherently social project.” (Helman 358) A
person is not a person until both ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ have made that
person. Without either a person cannot exist. That is a universal truth.
Example, a computer is not meaningful unless there are both hardware
and software.
!
On ‘liminal beings’, in general humans as a whole have not reached
their full potential and we are not fully alive to begin with. Imagine a
world where sexuality is pure and good, allowing that powerful drive in
humans to alleviate a whole lot of problems in human relationships
with one another. We could use that ‘time’ to better everyone as a
whole. Once we get on that path it will be like a reverse domino effect
essentially where everything and everyone “snaps” into its universal
natural, nurtural, and neutral place. That is where we need to go and
what we need to be working on.
!
In response to the questions that Helman brings up on page 359 again
pertaining to ‘liminal beings’. When we get to a point where we can
reconstruct a virtual being from their sperm or egg, only then should
we have the power through understanding to answer those questions
posed.
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The disappearing of ‘normality’ is promising for our future. Enforcing
the idea of universality. Also, Helman talks about ‘boundary anxiety’.
No one wants to be alone. It is within out nature to want to be
nurtured. By dissolving the self-boundaries and making ourselves
vulnerable under controlled conditions which technology will provide
then we will allow our fears and anxieties to fade away to open the
pathway to global and self love. The boundaries must be dissolved so
we can see clearly through each other through our “windows” and not
see each other through a distorted “mirror” as a reflection. That is the
past and the future will dissolve those distortions. We fight as
individuals because we have not fully made the connection yet that we
are all much more similar than different. We are moving into an era
where we will be allowed the means to explore our vast similarities to

3. dissolve the focus on negative differences. It will be a focus on positive
similarities. I hope this era flourishes during my “life-time”.
!
The case study on page 361 is interesting. It is impossible to ever re-
create a person. A person is created through both ‘nature’ and
‘nurture’ with respect to ‘time’. Neither ‘time’ or ‘nurture’ can be
recreated exactly as it was in the past. So even though the natural
material exists, such as a person’s DNA. That DNA will be ‘nurtured’
differently in ‘time’. As is the case with twins.
!
On the issue of screening. If one knows for certain through genetic
screening, then there is no more doubt or fear of the unknown. This
will allow the person to deal with the issue in a realistic and practical
fashion,
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Helman talks about genetics and ‘risk’. Right now it is a ‘risk’ but in the
future the person won’t be because whatever the issue it will be
fixable.
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To me religion is just a means of explaining the unreasonable and a
lack of universal understanding. My saying is that everything does not
happen for a reason because not everything is reasonable at that
‘time’. So, “God” is the symbol for humans lack of universal reason and
understanding with respect to ‘time’.
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If we are to get at the root of things for truth in humanity, boundaries
must be broken, but a foundation of trust will need to be layed first for
humans to be examined deeply and thoroughly inside and out to reach
an ability for a higher state of consciousness. Isn’t that the goal of
anthropology?
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In a much more secure manner a possible solution will be the creation
of a “wikigenetics” site in which only respected, ethical people masters
in their discipline will keep a check and balance through constant peer
review in a self-regulated system to screen for non-universal biases for
truth to thrive.
!
Just as everyone understands the meaning of the word “universe” we
are on our way to understanding each other universally through
‘NaNuNe’. (See attached)