The Particular Case of Genetic Reductionism

Genetic reductionists pick a particular level of scientific explanation, that of the functioning of genes, and downplay the claims of higher-level descriptions.

This is a vastly tempting reduction, because we understand, in principle at least, a great deal about genes and how they function. We understand far less about organisms, how they grow and develop, what determines their behaviour.

Click here to read about criticisms of genetic reductionism within science

Click here to explore ethical concerns raised by genetic reductionism

Email link | Feedback | Contributed by: Dr. Christopher Southgate
Source: God, Humanity and the Cosmos  (T&T Clark, 1999)