A GROUP of researchers
caused a stir in 1965 among scientists studying human aggression.
In a review of several studies they found that 3 per cent of the
male prisoners in maximum security prisons and hospitals in a
British region had an extra Y chromosome in the 23rd pair, i.e.
they were XYY males.
Normally humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in their body cells;
the 23rd pair determining a person's gender. Women have an XX
pair while males have an XY pair.
Due to abnormalities, there are rare incidences of other combinations.
For instance, an additional Y chromosome may sometimes be found
in the 23rd pair. But the incidence is only 0.03 per cent. The
finding that 3 per cent of male prisoners had XXY chromosomes
was 100 times higher than usual. Subsequent studies seemed to
support this finding when it was discovered that imprisoned males
were 15 times more likely to be XYYs than unimprisoned males.
This, understandably, caused great excitement among interested
scientists. Was the root cause of human aggression and violence
finally found?
While these studies suggested the strong possibility of genetic
causes for violent behaviour, later studies minimised the significance
of this link. For example, a study of thousands of male prisoners
in Denmark found that XYY prisoners committed less violent crimes
than the general prison population. It was also established that
XYYs performed less well on standardised intelligence tests suggesting
that they were "not more violent, only less clever as criminals
and therefore more likely to be caught". The XYY theory,
which caused such a stir in the 1960s is now generally discredited.
The lesson here is that we have to be careful
about explaining human behaviour by using scientific studies.
While science has unearthed some of the ways our bodies or minds
function, what we don't know is still greater than what we know.
After all, human behaviour and motivation are complex processes.
It becomes even more implausible when science is used to make
moral statements.
Take, for instance, the argument that homosexual behaviour is
biologically based. Therefore, it is not an aberration, but a
variant of normality. Therefore, it should become socially acceptable
as an alternative lifestyle. There are two key problems with this
line of thinking. Firstly, there is yet no clear evidence that
homosexuals are born that way. Secondly, even if a strong biological
link is made between biological makeup and behaviour, who is to
say whether it is aberration or variance? In other words, who
is to say it is right or wrong?
We are faced with the limits of science. Let us take the 1965
research finding concerning the genetic basis of human aggression
and violence. Supposing that finding has since been consistently
upheld through scientific studies, where does that leave us in
terms of our response to violence? Should we accept it as normal
biology, and, therefore, normal behaviour? The problem is that
while science can describe what is, it cannot prescribe what should
be. We have to turn elsewhere for moral guidance.
Some would suggest that we should turn to public opinion to determine
the moral directions we should take. On first thought, that may
sound very reasonable indeed. But then again, public opinion has
a very mixed history. To rely on public opinion for moral guidance
is at best a shaky adventure. The reason is that public opinion
can change so easily, especially when it is shaped and manipulated
by powerful media. To follow public opinion for moral guidance
is to take a path, the foundations of which have more to do with
that which is fashionable or pragmatic. Moral foundations must
be sturdier and more reliable.
As Christians (in fact, as humans created by God), we will have
to turn to God's revelation in Scripture for moral guidance. While
science and public opinion are important voices to be heard, nevertheless,
it is God's Word alone that can guide us in thinking about what
is right or wrong. It has the final say and authority on matters
of faith and practice. God's Word, as the psalmist so aptly puts
it, is a light for our path (Ps. 119:105).
GOD'S Word, in fact, has a thing or two to say about the connection
between biology and behaviour, and between biology and destiny.
Sin has affected our world in more ways than we can imagine. In
Rom. 8, we read that even creation is subjected to frustration
and suffers from bondage to decay (v. 20-21). If the cosmos is
thus affected, then all the more our own biology too. We read
of the "sinful nature" of human beings. Those who live
according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that
nature desires … (v. 5). Elsewhere in Scripture this sinful
nature is termed the "flesh", the "old self".
This sinful nature operates in the way we function or malfunction.
We must be careful to not say that the material body is evil (for
we can possibly also link our biology with our good behaviours,
the same way we may find links with our sinful behaviours, the
linkage here not necessarily pointing to a direct cause-effect
relationship). We must, however, recognise that our biology has
been affected, causing sickness and fallen inclinations and dispositions
that often collude with sin.
In C. S. Lewis' words, "we are all a bent race".
But when we believe in Jesus, He lives in us and, through His
grace, helps us in our infirmities, and delivers us to deny our
propensity to sin, even as we look forward to the resurrection
where our biology will be revamped and rescued from the effects
of the fall, when we shall be given new bodies. Meanwhile we must
look beyond our present biology for our destiny - to Christ.
As for public opinion, wasn't it responsible for making the golden
calf (Ex. 32), or crucifying the Lord (Mt. 27:11-26), or a decision
that led to a shipwreck (Acts 27)? It is not a reliable way of
deciding what is right or wrong.
It is to be noted that Scripture does teach us to crucify the
sinful nature (Gal. 5:24) and the world (Gal. 6:14). This should
warn us against relying on fallen biology or shaky public opinion
to shed light on the paths we should take. It is God's Word alone
that can do that.
QUOTE:
GOD'S WORD IS FINAL
'As Christians (in fact, as humans created by God), we will have to turn to God's revelation in Scripture for moral guidance. While science and public opinion are important voices to be heard, nevertheless, it is God's Word alone that can guide us in thinking about what is right or wrong. It has the final say and authority on matters of faith and practice.'