From Derek Bolton
Evelyn Fox Keller’s apparent dismissal of the use of statistical analysis to resolve the nature/nurture debate is too sweeping (18 September, p 28).
Imagine you could take a random sample of embryos and environments from a given community and try out all combinations of genes and environment. Standard regression tests would reveal which has the greater effect.
The key lies in the phrase “given community”. To take a musical analogy, if 10 violinists of similar accomplishment were to play violins ranging from cracked and broken to the finest made, you would conclude it is the violin that matters more. With 10 people off the street all with standard concert instruments you would take a different view.
It is the context that makes the question meaningful.
Advertisement
Birchgrove, New South Wales, Australia
