Book: The GOD Gene

Author: Dean Hamer
Publisher:

It is highly disturbing to think that origins of faith might be reduced to chemical reactions or DNA in the brain. Understandably, some scientists have criticized Hamer`s methodology which by its nature ought to be empirical or based on observation and experience. They contend that religiosity, by its very nature, is antithetical to establishing an empirical proof of religious experience.

But Hamer, a behavioral geneticist at the National Institutes of Health who has a PhD from Harvard, claims that spirituality – or as he calls it “the feeling of transcendence” -- is part of our nature and that a universal need for spiritual fulfillment is based in solid evolutionary reasons. According to him, at least one gene, which goes by the name VMAT2, controls the flow to the brain of chemicals that play a key role in emotions and consciousness. This is the 'God gene'; Hamer happily acknowledges that it`s a misnomer and says that there probably are dozens or hundreds more genes, yet to be identified, involved in the universal propensity for transcendence.

Hamer proposes that the “God gene” changes the level of these neurotransmitters so as to alter a person`s mood, consciousness and ultimately, self-transcendence. Moreover, this gene along with other faith-boosting genes is a product of natural selection. Self-transcendence makes people more optimistic, which makes them healthier and likely to have more kids thus completing the evolutionary purpose.

Understandably, these findings have been condemned by many religious leaders who claim that spiritual enlightenment is achieved through divine transformation rather than the brain`s electrical impulses

The role that genes play, if any, in religion is a fascinating question that nevertheless begs an answer, any answer. A safe and instinctive answer by Muslims or anyone of faith would be that Allah has embedded the necessary genetic material in all humans, thus it is there. Here, the acceptance of Islam is therefore predicated and ripe for the asking. It is an answer based on sincere belief and one that is capable of providing certitude, solace and comfort all at once. Unsurprisingly, it is an attractive answer to the vast majority of people as well.

The title of this book held a direction to answers for questions that I as a thinking person had when asking questions about God, religion and spirituality. All my life I have sought the illusory bridge that would hopefully connect faith and reason for me. I had been given faith based stock answers, full of circular logic which created even more questions.

I’m skeptical of the God gene myself. It’s hard to disagree with Fred Menger, a chemistry professor who said, “If you torture data sufficiently, it will confess to almost anything.”

On the other hand, I always took comfort when my father told me that asking the right questions strengthened ones faith in Allah. After reading this book and the seeing the underlying logic for having faith proved to me that my dear departed father was indeed right.