Uskudar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, addressed the topic, “Is evil genetic?”
Genetics is a kind of biological program for humans…
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that genetics is a kind of biological program for humans, saying, “Just like a computer's software, human genetic codes determine our behaviors. However, approximately one-third of these genetic codes are immutable and innate. This is especially important for behavioral genetics. Of course, there are many studies on genetic change between species, but these studies show that transitions from one species to another are not possible; only genetic changes within a species can occur. However, an important point is that DNA initially has a perfect structure. In other words, the idea of evolving from a simple structure to a perfect one is not valid here. In its initial existence, DNA has flawless software. The probability of any spontaneous change in the software of a nucleotide or an amino acid in DNA is extremely low. Therefore, a paradigm shift is occurring in this field, and behavioral genetics, in particular, contributes to this change.”
Epigenetics is also referred to as the quantum of genetics
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that even if a monkey stays among humans for a thousand years, it cannot learn to act like a human, but when a human is born and raised among monkeys, they start to behave like monkeys. He added, “Similarly, if a human is raised among dogs, they adopt their behaviors. This is explained in the fields of behavioral genetics and epigenetics. Certain characteristics of human nature do not emerge when suitable conditions are not met. When conditions are met, these human characteristics become active. This situation is called 'epigenetics'. Epigenetics is also referred to as the quantum of genetics and is a highly complex subject.”
Environment can make changes on genes
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that "Nature" refers to innate characteristics, meaning the traits we are born with through our genes, while "Nurture" is the effect of the environment on our genes. He continued:
“The environment can cause genetic polymorphism (multi-formity) by making changes in genes. These changes accumulate over time and are passed down from generation to generation. Some 'wild child' cases show that humans did not evolve from animal to human through an evolutionary process, but rather developed into humans within human knowledge and civilization. In other words, humans are born predisposed to building civilization. When the environment becomes suitable, genes that were previously silent become active. When these genes start to work, protein production occurs. In our brains, there are genes that produce serotonin and dopamine. These provide hormones related to happiness and pleasure. However, in some people, genetic polymorphism occurs, and when they are under stress, their brains cannot produce enough serotonin, which leads to depression. Yet, if these individuals are successful in stress management, they may not fall into depression despite being prone to it. Similarly, there are genetic factors related to addiction. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter related to pleasure, and when some people lead a pleasure-oriented life, their brains constantly experience a dopamine deficiency, so they cannot get enough pleasure and reward. However, if these individuals lead a meaning-oriented life rather than a pleasure-oriented one, they can manage the serotonin in their brains better and do not develop addiction. Thus, our lifestyle can affect our genes. From the perspective of behavioral genetics, two-thirds of the genes related to our personality structure are shaped by environmental influences, while only one-third is innate.”
12 defined personality types exist…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that there are said to be 12 innate personality types, saying, “Some people are introverted, while others are extroverted. Some people have high social intelligence, while others have high emotional intelligence. Approximately 12 defined personality types exist. These personality types are based on an innate fundamental framework. However, an individual can build a structure on this framework as they wish. That is, this framework has columns and beams, and these constitute approximately one-third of our personality. The remaining two-thirds are shaped by the individual, the environment, and their own will. This situation is called behavioral genetics. The environment and a person's free will determine the development of personality. If an individual is open to self-development and makes the right choices regarding concepts like good-bad, right-wrong, they can develop their potential. Otherwise, they may live their lives without fully utilizing their abilities. Genetics is a tool for us; it provides a foundation for being human, but genetics is not fate. Just as some say 'geography is destiny', some say the same for genetics. However, genetics should not be considered destiny.”
Genetic predispositions can be managed by a person's behavior and lifestyle
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that a person carrying a gene predisposition to Alzheimer's may not develop Alzheimer's if they use their brain correctly. He added, “Similarly, an individual with a genetic predisposition to lung cancer can reduce the risk of cancer by avoiding bad habits and living healthily. Nevertheless, these predisposition genes can become active depending on a person's lifestyle. Genetic predispositions, or genetic polymorphism, can be managed by a person's behavior and lifestyle. The individual can shape their personality and life by positively influencing these predisposition genes. In other words, our personality structure is innate as a framework, but the structure we build upon this framework is determined by the environment and our will.”
A common gene has been identified in both individuals who commit crimes and successful scientists
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that the question “Is there an evil gene?” has been researched by scientists for many years. He said, “The genetic structures of individuals with antisocial personality traits, i.e., those prone to crime, cruel, merciless, and tyrannical, are being examined. Among these individuals are serial killers who commit crimes without remorse. For example, the sibling of a criminal might be an amazing scientist doing very successful work in the laboratory, while the other can be a villain. This situation constitutes an important area of research related to behavioral genetics. One of the most striking genes is the DRD2 gene, associated with risky behavior. This gene has been found to be common in both individuals who commit crimes and successful scientists. The risky behavior gene can manifest itself in two different ways: one directs their risky behaviors towards crime, satisfying reward mechanisms like dopamine in the brain; the other satisfies this risky behavior by working day and night in the laboratory. In other words, while the same risky behavior gene is effective in both cases, one person uses it with good intentions, while the other uses it with ill intentions.”
The risky behavior gene can also be found in hyperactive individuals
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the concepts of good and evil are actually subjective, saying, “The environment in which a person grows up can be one where good intentions are glorified or evil is encouraged. If an individual makes choices with good intentions through their free will, they can utilize these risky behaviors in a positive direction. For example, this risky behavior gene can also be found in mountaineers, parachutists, or hyperactive individuals. These people engage in dangerous activities in search of adrenaline. However, the same gene is also present in individuals prone to crime. One person can use their radical behaviors for a benevolent purpose, while another uses them in a malicious way.”
Humans have free will…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that at this point, human free will becomes decisive. He said, “Other living beings do not have such free will. Other living beings live according to their genetic codes; they eat, drink, shelter, reproduce, and complete their lives in this manner. For example, a lion is known as one of the fiercest animals, but it has a safety zone. As long as you do not enter that zone, it will not touch you, or if it's not hungry, it will not attack. But humans are not like that.”
Evil is said to be normalized…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that evil is being normalized, as seen in the example of Gaza. He said, “Hitler did the same thing. He normalized evil. Hitler viewed Jews, blacks, and Roma as parasitic races; he saw them as harmful elements and therefore believed they should be exterminated.”
The balance between good and evil…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that “the balance between good and evil is about rewarding good and making evil pay a price,” adding that ensuring justice means ensuring everything is in its rightful place, rather than bringing equality. Therefore, he said, the concept of evil changes according to people's levels of development.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that today, modernism defines things that bring pleasure as good, and those that do not, as bad. He continued:
“Currently, Generation Z is being taught this way by the global system, social media, Hollywood, and the entertainment industry. However, good and evil are not just about pleasure. Meaningful happiness is the happiness achieved by a person pursuing virtue, and it is more lasting. A person pursuing virtue achieves long-term happiness in the search for meaning. But a person pursuing pleasure constantly seeks new pleasures, because pleasure is temporary; it ends, and the search begins again. Therefore, instead of pleasure happiness, one should aim for meaningful happiness. A person seeking meaningful happiness puts in effort, gets tired, but wins in the long run. On the other hand, a person seeking pleasure happiness thinks they win in the short term but loses in the long run. Unfortunately, today, the tendency to define happiness with pleasure has become quite widespread. This philosophical approach leads to avoiding work, effort, and exhaustion. This, in turn, diverts humanity from a well-intentioned path of development towards a malevolent one.”
If the ego ideal is correct, difficulties can be turned into opportunities
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed to the effects of genetic and environmental factors on an individual's development, saying, “Someone raised in a favorable environment is not the same as someone raised in adverse conditions. 50-100 years ago, new generations matured in poverty, whereas now there is a situation of maturing in abundance. However, malevolent behaviors are less common in those who matured in poverty, while they can appear more frequently in those who matured in abundance. This situation is an indicator of the environmental factors' effect on humans. However, if a person growing up in abundance learns to exhibit benevolent behaviors, they make a difference. People who contribute to society and are praised after they are gone also emerge from such environments. Therefore, even if an individual seems to be growing up in an unfortunate environment, if their ego ideal is correct, they can turn those difficulties into opportunities.”
Aimless people can fall under the negative influences of the environment
Prof. Dr. Tarhan concluded his words by saying that a wise person would not completely surrender to the flow:
“By holding onto a log, they take the current behind them and move towards their goal. If we have a goal, a bad environment can turn into a power that enables us to convert this into an opportunity and reach our goal. Aimless people can fall under the negative influences of the environment. Therefore, meaning and purpose program the human brain. The programming of our brain is a responsibility entrusted to us from birth. This process begins with intention. Whatever your intention, your brain programs itself accordingly. For example, you intend to wake up at 4 AM and you wake up without setting an alarm. If you program your brain correctly, you don't need to be afraid even if the environment is bad. Excuses like 'My environment wasn't good' are ways of deceiving ourselves. Unfortunately, humankind is quite adept at self-deception. Such excuses lead to many missed opportunities. As a result, choosing good or evil is our choice. We can say that life is a choice, life is a preference.”
