Genetic Flaws: Human Imperfection

No one’s perfect; no one can ever be perfect – that’s certainly the case in genetics.

This lack of perfection, this inability to achieve perfection, means that we all carry weaknesses or flaws. Some greater than others; some more consequential than others.

These flaws matter because they are liabilities on our genetic balance sheet. Whatever genetic appeal we may have, it will always be considered alongside any adverse, repellent features we might also have. Our flaws will detract from our level of attractiveness and desirability, possibly lessening our reproductive prospects and the chances of securing our genetic survival.

Sometimes our flaws can have an exaggerated impact. This is particularly the case for those who tend to seek out their reproductive partner primarily on the basis of identifying what they don’t want rather than purposefully looking for the qualities that they are after. Seeing the negative first, makes it a lot harder to discern the positives.

Selecting a reproductive partner is not dissimilar to buying something from a shop. Although we will choose an item by its appeal – its features, price, promotional enticement, availability – we can also, so easily, be turned off by small details – the wrong colour, a hidden cost such as a delivery charge, damaged packaging, a dislike of the salesperson, too long a waiting time for delivery,

The product has to be right in all – or most – respects because there’s always the underlying thought that we might be able to do better by shopping around some more. Perhaps if we went somewhere else we could get what we want without any of the drawbacks.

Of course, the evaluation we make as to whether or not to make a purchase is very individual. The identification, designation and weight we attach to an individual’s flaws is a personal judgement. What might be a serious detraction for one person, might, for others, go unnoticed or may even be considered as a desirable attribute.

It’s therefore important to have a good understanding of our genetic flaws. By doing so, they can be minimised, downplayed, or redirected. Their effect can be made inconsequential. We might even be able to turn them into a positive, into something that is attractive. A short-sighted person, for instance, may convey the appearance of intelligence.

When assessing genetic flaws, we should note the following:

– Some genetic flaws are a threat to our existence; others less so.

Carrying a gene that makes us act as a daredevil or risk taker may have consequences for our prospects. Living on the edge does not provide certainty, stability or security.

– Some genetic flaws we recognise as being flaws; others we do not.

Carrying a gene for red hair may or may not be a genetic flaw.

– Some genetic flaws are visible; others are not.

Carrying a cancer gene may only present itself later in an individual’s life. At the point when individuals may be pursuing their reproductive partner, this gene might be unapparent.

– Some genetic flaws can be hidden or disguised; others cannot.

Carrying a gene that gives an individual poor skin complexion may be concealed with the skilful application of good quality make-up.

– Some genetic flaws are deal breakers; others can be tolerated or overlooked.

Carrying a disfiguring gene may make a person abhorrent to some people, such that they may feel that they cannot spend any time with them. Others may see the person beyond that disfigurement.

– Some genetic flaws are diminished by other more appealing and attractive qualities; others are not.

Carrying a gene that leads to early baldness in men may not matter too much if that man has an engaging personality. The positives can out-weigh the negatives. Of course, the greater our flaws, the harder we have to work to overcome them, to make others appreciate our redeeming qualities, those that do have some genetic desirability.

Whatever our genetic condition, how ever great the genetic flaw that we carry, having a genetic weakness without any redeeming genetic attractiveness does not necessarily mean that we will be unable to secure a genetic partner. It just means that we will have to lower our sights and expectations, to perhaps accept a partner that also carries more significant genetic flaws.

It’s the best we can do. But at least we are doing something. We are furthering our genetic lineage.

The danger of this is that in allowing genetic flaws to survive and be passed on, in enabling flawed individuals to reproduce with other flawed individuals, we weaken the species. This is not Nature’s way. Nature acts to eliminate genetic weakness and faults, for they may undermine the survival prospects of our species.

In genetics, two negatives don’t always make a positive. They’re more likely to add to the negative.

Our genetic flaws – their abundance and their range – highlight the distance that we, both as a species and as individuals, are from achieving perfection – of being totally in tune with our environment.

Our on-going existence, our ability to overcome environmental threats, means that we have been doing well. We’ve been getting things right. We have been evolutionally advancing.

All we have to do is to keep working on that. If we can uphold or improve on what we already have then this should stand us in good stead in relation to making progress in our quest for perfection.

Unfortunately, this state of perfection is unattainable.

This is because although we are constantly evolving, adopting genetic improvements, making headway towards that perfect condition, we are faced with an environment that is also changing.

So, although we may make an advance towards our goal, the chances are that our environment will also have changed and our destination will have shifted.

We are aiming for a moving target, one that is always out of reach. We are therefore constantly having to recalibrate our genetic progress; to make adjustments to our evolutionary course. We can never get to where we want to be.

It’s a remarkably clever and effective process. Self-perpetuating, incentive-driven, incessant, infinite and universal.

Nature encourages us to strive to improve on our genetic well-being. And yet, Nature ensures that we can never achieve what we are after. There will always be genetic flaws; we will always be genetically wanting.

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