Re: [Leica] Country of origin

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

Interesting, Horst, and you are borne out in the genetic studys of the
people in Iceland. They have a very homogeneous genotype since the vast
majority of the native Icelanders come from a very limited genetic sample
of early settlers- the only outstanding genetic characteristic is that they
are almost a perfect lab to study certain genetic diseases- since they have
a very closely related genetic strain- they are not affected by the vast
majority of genetic illnesses, but the ones that do plauge them are quite
prevalent and this makes the genetic aspect of those diseases very easy to
trace.
It reminds me of the old Dannon Yogurt commercial where the little old 115
years old woman is usrging her 93 year old son to eat his yogurt since it is
so good for him- I would imagine that the reason for the community's
longevity would not be so much the yogurt, though I am sure it is a very
healthy food, but rather a genetic quirk from this isolated people that has
become relatively dominant since a long healthy life will generally be
better adaptive than a short unhealthy one! (OOPS Don't want to touch on
Darwinism here!)
It reminds me of the family that was studied in Italy- it appears that of
all the ailments that members of an extended family might suffer from, heart
disease was not one of them where this family was concerned- it seemed that
no men of this family had EVER had any heart problems, and they were being
studied for that reason.
It seems to me from all that I have read- the genetic differences between
groups really have no direct bearing on their ability to do a task. They
might be alotted a few more years of live, or as a group they might not be
plauged with certain diseses, but the genetic component of their survival
really amounts to nought unless it limits their ability to thrive in their
particular environment.

Dan (living, surviving, thriving despite a genetic pre-dispostion to
diabetes and congestive heart failure) Post
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "A.H.SCHMIDT" <horsts@primus.com.au>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 9:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Country of origin


>
>
>
> At 09:32 PM 11/30/2000 +0100, Alan Hull wrote:
> >I'm sorry Paul but I don't understand your problem with that.
> >Everybody has a natural born ability for something and it is my
> >understanding that these abilities are contained in a genetic code that
> >determines behaviour and ability and physical characteristics.  It is
> >also my understanding that this genetic code is hereditry.  I am
> >certainly no expert on this and maybe I am confused between DNA and the
> >genetic spiral.  But surely it follows that if there is a heredity
> >connection then groups of people isolated by language etc can form a
> >national characteristic caused by the prevelence of a certain gene.
>
> IT amazes me , that grown up people in the Year 2000 can still believe
such
> total and utter nonsense. The genes theory is only used by people who are
> trying to use it as a method to brainwash others in to believing that
> others are inferior.
> I mean, I really should not have to say this, but the apparent variations
> in abilities are only  influenced  by cultural and geographical
variations.
> Every race and nation, has persons with low and with high IQ's. This is
> evenly spread. The problem however is the lack of opportunity and /or
> suppression by others, which lets some parts of the population seem less
up
> to date.  The biggest problem of all, of course is Brain washing. This
goes
> for both, the so called inferior race and the so called superior race. The
> sad thing is that brain washing starts at home. The example:  People which
> appear as relatively smart individuals, still adhere to the racial
> superiority theories. In the simplest form, they spread bullshit like:
> " An Austrian will always be better at skiing than an Australian, or an
> Australian will always be better at swimming than an Austrian.  The more
> correct version should be:
> A person living most of its life in Austria, is better at skiing than a
> person living most of its life in Australia. This is completely self
> evident.  The evidence is right here in Australia.
> Besides about 180 other nationalities, we have quite a lot of Austrians
> living here.
> How many of these Austrians have made any impression at any of the Winter
> sport competitions around the world? .Non to my knowledge The genes
haven't
> suddenly changed, but the opportunities have.  However a few real fair
> dinkum Aussies have just won some competitions. Only because they either
> trained in the european circus, or the type of winter sport they shine in
> is suited to the local conditions here in the mountains. Again no change
of
> genes. Just a geological change.
> This was a relatively harmless example.  No need to go in to the more
> serious stuff. We all know  how it ended up, or how in many cases now it
> still makes for hurt and sadness.
> All people are equal. Just the oportunities aren't Don't let some stinkers
> tell you otherwise.
>
> Regards, Horst Schmidt
>
>