Download What determines gene expression

Choi, P.Y. (2001). Genes and gender roles: Why is the nature argument so appealing?.
Psychology, Evolution, & Gender, 3, 279-285.
Summary by Lindsay Chisam, Griffin Gosnell, and Erin Morrissey
For Dr. Mills’ Psyc 310 class, Spring, 2008
Introduction
The article Genes and Gender Roles: Why is the Nature Argument So Appealing?
discusses some of the debate between nature and nurture and argues that nature has the most
‘appealing’ argument. The author Precilla Choi pays the most attention to sex differences and
how its relates to the nature versus nurture debate. She shows a study of Turner’s Syndrome
individuals to show how chromosomes and biology play a part in social cognizance. She then
shows what controls gene expression and how it also makes a difference in the nature versus
nurture account. Her next point is made through her explanation and argument for biological
determinism. And lastly, she argues for a more equal society based on her findings of our genes
and the roles played by gender in our world.
A Study of Turner’s Syndrome individuals
Choi based her first argument off of the common belief that women’s social skills are
better than those of men. To exemplify this, she used a study by Skuse et al. (1997) which
showed some differences between Turner’s Syndrome individuals with a maternally derived X
chromosome (XM) and those with a paternally derived X chromosome (XP). The specific
disparities the Skuse study found are differences in social cognizance. Turner’s Syndrome
individuals with the XP chromosome scored lower on social-cognitive dysfunction tests than did
the Turner’s Syndrome participants with the XM. Normal boys and girls were also tested and
their results showed that girls scored lower on the social-cognitive dysfunction test than did
normal boys, but overall both boys and girls scored much lower than Turner’s Syndrome
individuals. The conclusion that was drawn was that those with the maternally derived X
chromosome (normal boys and TS-XM individuals) have worse social skills, thus score lower on
the social-cognitive dysfunction test. This also explains why boys are more susceptible to
developmental disorders. According to the author they conclude that this is “evidence for the
evolution of an imprinted X-linked locus that underlies the development of sexual dimorphism in
social behavior” (Skuse et al., 1997, as cited in Choi, 2001).
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What determines gene expression
There are many factors that dictate gene expression. Gene expression depends not only
on internal factors but also on the external environment that governs our lives. Many say that
behavior is a product of nurture and the environment, but this is not necessarily true. The Skuse
et al. study still shows a great deal of evidence towards the explanation of sexual dimorphism
from a nature and biological standpoint.
The appeal of biological determinism
Biological determinism is attractive in today’s society due to the publics’ willingness to
trust socially acceptable conclusions. Biological explanations are highly promoted in the media,
so the physical differences in men are viewed as a major difference between men and women.
However, it is society’s responsibility to establish an equal foundation where biology and
genetics are balanced when comparing the sexes. Therefore, if men get privileges for being
physically stronger or faster then women, women should be recognized for being genetically
more proficient at social interaction.
Political agenda
Yes, even science can have a political agenda! Biological and genetic scientific research
have always struggled between gender politics. The only solution to bring equality to biological
studies involving males and females is to conduct the study with the idea of encouraging equality
rather than hindering it. Popular ideas and prevalent beliefs are going to manipulate part of the
study or even the basis upon which the study originated, however it should not influence the
conclusions. Physical differences between the genders should be considered; however, these
differences should not affect behavioral studies. In order to live in an equal society, it is
necessary to see how nature and nurture intermingle and how they relate to sex differences.
Outline
1. Introduction
2. A Study of Turner’s Syndrome individuals
a. XM vs. XP
b. Sexual dimorphism in social behavior
3. What determines gene expression
4. The appeal of biological determinism
a. Accepted biological reasoning
b. Equality of the gender
5. Political agenda
a. Gender equality
Figure from the following article:
McGuffin, P. & Scourfield, J. (1997). Human genetics: A father's imprint on his daughter's
thinking. Nature, 387, 652-653.