That always irritates you too, doesn't it?

I will quote Lee, from later in this thread:

But you're right, environment and upbringing have a major effect on how those traits are expressed.

and that begins from day one, by the way.

Cloning Mozart or Einstein will NOT create another Mozart or Einstein. It will create individuals who look like Mozart or Einstein, and - here's where I tip my hat to you - will have some of the same personality traits.

Personality traits do NOT a musical or conceptual genius make. That shows a complete ignorance and insensitivity to the dynamic and always-developing interaction between the human organism and its environment. And it ignores the central importance of the molding of character by the parents - which makes your reference to 'anyone with kids' so spurious. (Was that a reference to me, whom you know is unmarried? )

That was the only point I was always trying to make. Character and creative genius are strongly correlated. Character, while partially genetic, is developed by dynamic interaction with environment, and parental influences. Wasn't that always always clear enough? Evidently not.

And I was never attacking Buck, by the way. My contempt is directed only to a certain prevalent breed of scientist, who knows a great deal about various narrow technical issues, and bugger-all about anything else.