Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
A question to the "genetics controls outcomes" crowd: Do you think you could study the facial features and skin colors of a hundred different people who are taking the SAT test, an IQ test, an engineering aptitude test, an artistic aptitude test or a music aptitude test, and then accurately predict the score that each test taker will earn?
Give me genomic DNA from 100 people and I could probably tell you their lineage. I'll say it again. The common link between people of similar lineage is shared genetic code. And we're not just talking about standard 'ol genomic DNA, we're talking genes, DNA that actually codes for protein. If proteins are being modified (and shared within a population), then these people may be able to be differentiated from one another based on physical manifestation.
You're looking for overt signs where these signs may be so subtle as to not be seen without the right environmental push. IMPORTANTLY, when we're able to break down similarities and differences between populations at the single gene level, we're presented with the opportunity to eliminate stereotyping all together and comment on a person's individual traits. It just so happens that this personalized commentary can and will be applied to groups of people. But again, the comments will not be at all stereotypical because there will be no need to extrapolate beyond the effect of the single gene trait.
Will we be able to link facial features skin color with other single gene traits? Very likely.
-mark