Inappropriate Lifestyle and Congenital Disability in Children

Abstract

Chapter 1 briefly traced the emergence of intelligence and perceptiveness in the Homo-human ancestors which allowed forward-planning, tool-making, imitation and teaching. The acquisition of sophisticated language made it possible to understand mental states in others and this helped in the creation of an unique hominid social, political, economic, ethical and spiritual order. This chapter describes how epigenetic influences (that is, all the external environmental variables which modulate gene activity) can derail the normal developmental processes. Harmful epigenetic influences can trigger intrinsic gene defects (mutations) or adversely modify normal gene expression, resulting in impaired growth and development. Good health, far from being a natural state or universal right, is a matter of achievement, a consequence of privilege or good luck even. It is for this reason that health is defined in the Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO) as being a state of ‘complete physical, mental and social wellbeing not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. This definition succinctly emphasizes the positive aspects of a fully realized genetic potential.

I am very much for human rights but I think for the dignity of the human being, it is necessary not only to emphasize the rights, but also the responsibilities

Theologian Dr Hans Kung on A New Ethic of Human Responsibility. ABC Radio National — The Religion Report Transcript 9^th December, 1998, page 1 (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks)