Nature v. Nurture?

[Scummymummy]

OK, I know it's a real old chestnut of a subject, but who out there thinks that their kids' fabness/monsterousness is due wholly or mostly to upbringing and who thinks it's down to their genes? I suspect mumsnetters will be in the "nurture" camp given all the good advice I read on these pages. But how do we explain wildly different siblings who are treated broadly the same? Is it an interplay of genes and environment or something like that?

With my son, his fabness comes from nurture and the monstrousness comes from nature.

Sorry, had to say it. Truth is, I don't know.

Funny you should say that Jj- I had reached the same conclusion vis a vis my kids!

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Naturally all my son's great characteristics come from me! In reality I think that most scientists are now saying that it is a combination of the two and it is quite impossible to completely separate out nature and nurture. I read a fantastic book, Genome (v sorry I can't remember the author) and it is a map of our genes and what they are responsible for. It discusses whether there are tendencies within our genetic make-up towards thrill-seeking, shyness, addiction, gayness, etc and it would seem that there are. However, the author also says that our environment has a huge amount to do with whether or not these characteristics will become dominant and controlling.
As an adopted child (well adult now) I find this fascinating as my brother and sister are naturally born to my parents. In my own situation I have adopted nearly all of the material aspirations and standards of my family but find that my mental and emotional situation is very different indeed.