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November/December 2007 Alternative Health
Do Genes Contain a Moral Code?

Human genes may be evolving to reflect our morals, according to Jonathan Haidt, a moral psychologist at the University of Virginia and author of The Happiness Hypothesis.

Just as a modifiedgene for adult lactose tolerance evolved in tandem with culturalpractices of raising dairy cows, so modified genes for moralmotives may have evolved in tandem with cultural practices andinstitutions that rewarded group-beneficial behaviors and punishedselfishness, Haidt proposes in the magazine Science.

Through laboratory research and surveys conducted on www.yourmorals.org, Haidt has found that people have an automatic moral reaction to situations, known as moral intuition.

"When we think about sticking apin into a child's hand, or we hear a story about a person slappingher father, most of us have an automatic intuitive reactionthat includes a flash of negative affect," writes Haidt.

After the initial emotional response, verbal and moral reasoning kick in to create a plausible rationalization for the initial feeling of disgust or judgment. These instant reactions are usually good predictorsof moral judgments and behaviors.

- Vicky Thompson

Question Your Morals

Test your moral code by taking the following mini questionnaire. Take the full survey at www.yourmorals.org to find out your moral standing on the sacredness of moral foundations.

Instructions: Try to imagine actually doing the following things, and indicate how much money someone would have to pay you (anonymously and secretly) to be willing to do each thing. For each action, assume that nothing bad would happen to you afterward. Also, assume that you cannot use the money to make up for your action.