Changes

Virginia: Abraham, we know that from [[modern]] [[science]] that so many things are determined by the [[genes]] that we all have been born with. My question is, does George have unique genes that enable him to see and do so much more than those of us who were not [[born]] with these hereditary genes that he has had since [[childhood]]? Can we work to develop and can we work to improve where we are, or can we indeed [[attain]] what his ability seems to be?

Virginia: Abraham, we know that from [[modern]] [[science]] that so many things are determined by the [[genes]] that we all have been born with. My question is, does George have unique genes that enable him to see and do so much more than those of us who were not [[born]] with these hereditary genes that he has had since [[childhood]]? Can we work to develop and can we work to improve where we are, or can we indeed [[attain]] what his ability seems to be?

Abraham (Bill): I am not at [[liberty]] to talk about George in the third person, but I can address your [[question]] in more general terms, and therefor hopefully [[satisfy]] its [[intention]]. Your science is indeed [[exploring]] this issue at every moment, and at the present time the [[evidence]] is mounting for what the [[Urantia text]] has declared: that there has to be the [[genetic]] [[foundation]] for a [[trait]] to be [[manifested]]. At the same time without the proper [[environment]] that trait may wither and fail to manifest in its fullness. This implies several things. Looking first at the genetic question since traits are based upon genetic foundations and traits can be rank ordered in terms of [[value]], then it becomes conceivable that the least desirable traits could be genetically controlled in some [[manner]] or another. The traits of such things as mental illness, which has genetic determinants, antisocial [[personality]] [[distortions]], for example, genetically caused cognitive [[deficits]], for example, and the list could go on. As to how these lesser traits could be eliminated in the genetic structure of [[humanity]] is not something I am permitted to [[discuss]]. However we are hopeful that the genetic substructure of all traits is now beginning to be fully [[accepted]] by your scientists. The other side of the coin, the importance of environment has been a major concern of [[medicine]], [[psychology]], [[education]] and other related fields of human endeavor for many, many years. When it was believed that the human mind was a blank tablet upon which anything could be written, the [[hopes]] for changing the world though changing the environment were at their highest peak. It is now [[becoming]] clear that the genetic substructure must be dealt with as well.

Abraham (Bill): I am not at [[liberty]] to talk about George in the third person, but I can address your [[question]] in more general terms, and therefor hopefully [[satisfy]] its [[intention]]. Your science is indeed [[exploring]] this issue at every moment, and at the present time the [[evidence]] is mounting for what the [[Urantia text]] has declared: that there has to be the [[genetic]] [[foundation]] for a [[trait]] to be [[manifested]]. At the same time without the proper [[environment]] that trait may wither and fail to manifest in its fullness. This implies several things. Looking first at the genetic question since traits are based upon genetic foundations and traits can be rank ordered in terms of [[value]], then it becomes conceivable that the least desirable traits could be genetically controlled in some [[manner]] or another. The traits of such things as mental illness, which has genetic determinants, antisocial [[personality]] [[distortions]], for example, genetically caused [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_deficit cognitive deficits], for example, and the list could go on. As to how these lesser traits could be eliminated in the genetic structure of [[humanity]] is not something I am permitted to [[discuss]]. However we are hopeful that the genetic substructure of all traits is now beginning to be fully [[accepted]] by your scientists. The other side of the coin, the importance of environment has been a major concern of [[medicine]], [[psychology]], [[education]] and other related fields of human endeavor for many, many years. When it was believed that the human mind was a blank tablet upon which anything could be written, the [[hopes]] for changing the world though changing the environment were at their highest peak. It is now [[becoming]] clear that the genetic substructure must be dealt with as well.

 

===='''''[[Talent]]'''''====

===='''''[[Talent]]'''''====

Now as to your question as to developing a [[talent]] which you have in a certain amount, then the answer is rather obvious, is it not? If you have the substructure, the [[neuron]]al work, you have the [[cognitive]] [[foundation]], so that [[practice]] of that particular talent will only improve its output. If you are totally lacking in a trait, then of course, there is no possibility of improvement; but most people have varying degrees of all the [[traits]] common to [[humanity]]. Some are [[geniuses]] in certain things, and a normal, average person cannot achieve genius by [[effort]] and [[desire]] only. At the same time I would hate to be heard as saying that you make an [[assessment]] of your ability and therefor decide that you should not make as effort because you do not have genius status. If you heard me say that you have totally misunderstood what I am saying. Some have ten talents; some have five; some have one, but the person who [[buries]] their [[talent]] in the ground is the loser. Every talent you possess needs to be [[developed]]; and the largest [[error]] that is being made at the present time is that people are not looking realistically at themselves and the magnitude of talents that they have. My dear Virginia, have I prodded around enough in this [[sensitive]] area to [[satisfy]] your question?

Now as to your question as to developing a [[talent]] which you have in a certain amount, then the answer is rather obvious, is it not? If you have the substructure, the [[neuron]]al work, you have the [[cognitive]] [[foundation]], so that [[practice]] of that particular talent will only improve its output. If you are totally lacking in a trait, then of course, there is no possibility of improvement; but most people have varying degrees of all the [[traits]] common to [[humanity]]. Some are [[geniuses]] in certain things, and a normal, average person cannot achieve genius by [[effort]] and [[desire]] only. At the same time I would hate to be heard as saying that you make an [[assessment]] of your ability and therefor decide that you should not make as effort because you do not have genius status. If you heard me say that you have totally misunderstood what I am saying. Some have ten talents; some have five; some have one, but the person who [[buries]] their [[talent]] in the ground is the loser. Every talent you possess needs to be [[developed]]; and the largest [[error]] that is being made at the present time is that people are not looking realistically at themselves and the magnitude of talents that they have. My dear Virginia, have I prodded around enough in this [[sensitive]] area to [[satisfy]] your question?