Main image for the briefing: Biology is destiny

Biology is destiny

When scientists reported the discovery of the so-called gay gene in 1993, it reignited an age-old argument about the role of nature and nurture in shaping our personalities. This is a debate which goes to the very core of who we are. Backed by evolutionary biology and genetic research, one side says that, as well as the colour of our eyes, our intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation are all encoded in our DNA. The other side believes that we are the product of our social environment, and that human behaviour can be conditioned.

This is a free Controversy open to everybody. Subscribe to Intelligence Squared to gain access to our growing archive of Controversies about global politics, ethics, history and the changing face of the modern world.

Share this debate

  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Facebook
  • TwitThis
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • RSS
  • Digg
  • NewsVine
  • Google
  • LinkedIn

Season tickets

Season tickets are £100 each and include one ticket and a glass of wine for all five debates in our autumn 2010 series

Buy tickets

Vegetarian debate

Buy tickets for 'Don't eat animals' on December 9, featuring Peter Singer, Heather Mills, Paul Levy and Julian Baggini

Buy tickets

What's new on IQ²

See all of the latest IQ² content on one page, including written debates, live debates, and talks from our partners

See what's new

Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth, author of the best-selling Eat, Pray, Love, will talk about her life and writing at this exclusive IQ² event on September 15

Buy tickets

IQ² Magazine

This week, The Magazine brings you both sides of the story on the legalisation of cocaine, plus debates on philanthrocapitalism and Iran

See the magazine



Copyright 2010 Intelligence 2 Ltd | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | User Guidelines | Goodies