genes and potential of a person

[yaami]

Hi all,

 

I'm not a student in genetics or for that matter my area of specialization is nothing related to bio. I know nothing about this area. But recently a group of our friends (most of us are electrical engineers) were having a discussion and the topic suddenly came to what a person can do and cannot do. And one of us stated that genes are responsible for what a person can do or cannot do. I was interested in what he said and tried to google about it. But most of the subject went way over my head. So I decided to ask people out here about this. Do genes decide the potential of a person. So when a person is born his genes have already decided what fields he/she can excel at. Some of us argued that with hard work people can do things, but this friend goes on to say that even the hard working nature is related to having the genes. I'm not sure where to read about stuff like this. This may sound philosophical like bringing people to believe what they can do anything they want. But I really want to know is what genes decide and how much of life is decided by genetics.

 

Thanks.

[Mr Skeptic]

The genes and the environment both play a role, one more than the other for various things and about equal for others. Since excelling in a particular field largely comes down to having learned the requisite knowledge and skills, I'd say that an individual's experience would help more than his genes. But the genes might make someone better at a given field if they were to in fact pursue that option. And if you look at the very best, eg at Olympic athletes, you'll see that both the right genes and experience are needed to get to that level.

[Incendia]

Genes and your environment isn't everything...The epigenetics plays a part too...