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From: rmr@chefchu.SGI.COM (Robert Reimann)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,soc.men,soc.women
Subject: Re: Rape: a genetic catastrophe
Message-ID: <11176@sgi.SGI.COM>
Date: 19 Feb 88 17:30:55 GMT
References: <517@gtx.com> <5129@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu> <2201@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> <376@rruxa.UUCP>
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In article <376@rruxa.UUCP>, mjm@rruxa.UUCP (M Muller) writes:
> > 
> > >8.  My main reason for arguing against the genetic-basis-of-rape
> > >    position is that it can be used to excuse the existing violence
> > >    against women in western culture...
> > >
> > >    If, on the other hand, we recognize rape for what I believe
> > >    it is -- a violent act based in social inequities and intended
> > >    to promote or maintain those inequities -- then we have rather
> > >    less sympathy for the rapist...
> > 
> 

First of all, let's get our terms straight.  "Rape" is a *legal* term;
it does not have a place in biology.  The legal definition of rape
varies from culture to culture; I suspect the definition in this
country is somewhat broader than that in, say, Iran.

If we are going to talk about  a human behavior in a biological context,
we had better be able to describe it in biological terms.  Given that
we are primates, and that we understand primate simple primate behaviors
fairly well, I think it is reasonable to suggest that human "rape behavior"
can be classified as a specific instance of aggressive primate behavior.

Mr. Muller, I agree with you; there is no hard evidence that rape enhances
reproductive fitness.  However, this does not discount the possiblity
of genetic influences in human behavior which may indirectly be linked
to physical violence, rape included.  

In other words, I think there is a good case for linking human rape
behavior to aggression; you say this much yourself.
You would like to link violence to "social inequities."  Unfortunately,
this is a rather imprecise term.  It also does not explain why rapists
(and perpetrators of all other violent crimes)
are primarily *young adult* males.  My own belief is that aggressive
behavior in general is influenced by testosterone levels (which are
highest among young adult males).  Obviously testosterone levels
are genetically influenced.  So here we have a possible genetic link,
but not a direct one.  

But, let's take a closer look at the alternative you suggest: that
rape has a social cause, i.e., women are not treated as equals by
men in our society.  
(I don't know why you choose to single out "Western civilization",
the Chinese used to bind the feet of their women so they could not
be self reliant-- they couldn't walk!).  The problem with social
causes is they lead to circular arguments:  Women are not treated as
equals by society, so men can take advantage of women with relative impunity.  
But why doesn't society treat women as equals?
Because men continue to take advantage of
of women with relative impunity.  
These may be true statements, but they do nothing to explain the
problem, except in its own terms.

My main point is that environment and biology work together in subtle
ways to shape human behavior.  The extent to which each affects us
is worthy of careful consideration.  Ascribing human behavior entirely
to environment is as falacious as genetic determinism.

If we can find a biochemical link to pathologically violent behavior,
we could then look for the combination of environmental and chemical factors
necessary to mediate or rectify the problem.  (I think environment plays
the greater part in most cases, myself.)

By the way, I relooked over "Mismeasure of Man" by Gould.  It turns out
he agrees that biology does influence behavior.  What he argues against
are those alleged individuals who maintain that SPECIFIC behaviors such as
"rape", for example, are naturally selected.  I maintain that the
set of respectable biologists who believe this is a null set.

I recognize how the relationship between nature and nurtue can be
misunderstood and misused by the ignorant and the malicious.
However, it is only through general understanding that these people
may be silenced.  As long as there is doubt, there will be those
who attempt to prey on the fear and ignorance of others.

I hope some of this makes sense to both the nature-bashers and
the nuture-bashers.

				Robert Reimann
				rmr@inferno.sgi.UUCP