ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that there are interactions between "nature and nurture" in genes and argues that there is evidence that religious experiences can lead to behavioural changes. It discusses one medical area mainly from among the Roman Catholic and conservative evangelical faith communities, who oppose the developments. The chapter explores how advances in genetics have given parents choices in respect of genes that affect their children's health. At the population level, the average height of humans in most areas of the world has increased significantly since the beginning of the 20th century. It has been ascribed to two main factors, namely the decrease in the frequency of severe infectious diseases in childhood and the general improvement in nutrition. In the United Kingdom, licences for testing particular genes in pre-implantation genetic diagnosis are granted by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority.
