Christian, atheist scientists tackle human nature

Jason Koski/University Photography

Rosemary Avery, center, moderates a forum on what makes us human with Roald Hoffmann, right, and Praveen Sethupathy in Call Auditorium Nov. 12.

The question of what makes us human has been a source of discussion and conflict for centuries. Although the question remains unanswered, a Christian geneticist and an atheist chemist found that their views on the topic were not so different in a Nov. 12 campus conversation "Genes, Atoms or Something Else?" attended by more than 500 undergraduates.

Praveen Sethupathy, a geneticist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is a Christian. Nobel laureate Roald Hoffmann, Cornells Frank H.T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters Emeritus, is an atheist.

The discussion began with what scientifically makes a human a human: DNA. Although he is a geneticist, Sethupathy was quick to point out the limitations of examining DNA in the search for human identity.

Our identities are influenced, but not fully determined by our genetics, Sethupathy said, explaining that the chemical packaging that surrounds DNA can be altered by any number of lifestyle choices like smoking and diet. Furthermore, these changes to the DNA packaging are in some cases hereditary.

Hoffmann agreed with Sethupathys assessment that genetic makeup is only a small part of human identity. Even with E. coli we share a substantial amount [of genetic material]. Does it free us of choices for good and for evil? No more than original sin prevents you from making a choice about being good or evil, Hoffmann said.

Both agreed that our genetics are not responsible for providing us with moral standards, although they agreed that morality is an important aspect of humanity. The presenters did not, however, agree on the source of objective moral standards.

I believe that there are objective moral standards and that they do come from [God], Sethupathy said, noting that he thought religious moral standards are sometimes imposed inappropriately.

Hoffmann said he believes that morality springs from human biology. I think ethics arises out of natural, personal and societal interactions, he said, noting that moral standards are very similar across cultures, despite different religious backgrounds.

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Christian, atheist scientists tackle human nature