Part 1 Essay.

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Prevailing common sense dictates that everybody has common characteristics with their
ancestors. For instance, some children really look like their parents or share traits from their
grandparents. Therefore, nobody doubts the role of genetics in transferring information
between generations. Nevertheless, the answer is not so clear when personality, abilities or
personal skills are involved.

When Mendelev developed his genetic theory using peas, the scientific community began to
take a more deterministic approach to the question. Inheritance of traits, like that of wealth,
determines wether individuals are tall, handsome or successful the same way a will defines
who in the line of family succession is blessed with the heirloom.

It is my belief though, that the aforementioned answer leaves out the environment role. In the
same way that a wealthy familys spoiled child may easily exhaust his economic resources, a
gifted individual without opportunities may be unable to make significant contributions to
society.

Twins raised in dierent families show strikingly similar traits but, unfortunately, none of these
are protected against against loss or modification by the environment. The unfortunate injury to
a promising athlete proves this argument. No matter how performing he was in competitions,
an accident may hamper his career for life. More to the point, a theory called epigenetic
eects is emerging which proves this in a less casual way. Certain surrounding conditions can
modify our very own DNA with which we were born.

Not being really clear-cut wether nature or nurture is fundamental in our personal definition, this
should encourage us to pursue our dreams no matter how ungifted we are. By taking hold of
our lives and with a strong will, we may be able to get ahead of the game by perseverance.