EVOLUTION AND HUMAN DESTINY 



not quickly adaptable. In the long run, however, only 

 ''survival positive" instincts persist, as creatures devel- 

 oping negative ones would tend to die out. 



As true instincts are neither taught nor transmitted 

 by example from one generation to the next, they 

 must, as there is no other possibility, be part of the 

 genetic code determining the species. Consequently 

 one would expect them to be subject to mutation just 

 as much as are the physical characteristics of the organ- 

 ism. Is there indeed any other way consistent with 

 genetic theory, of explaining the development of in- 

 stincts and their adaptations to various environments? 

 Part of the very basis of the genetic determination of 

 a species consists of fixing pattern and behavior of the 

 individual cells forming the multicellular organism. 

 It is the function of these cells in the organism and the 

 pattern of their integration that constitutes an essential 

 part of the information carried by the genes of the 

 parent cells. Can one therefore state that the cells are 

 following instinct? It appears that such a statement 

 would have the same validity as one claiming that the 

 ants in their colony are acting according to their 

 genetic code. We are very likely dealing with analogous 

 phenomena, but occurring on different levels. 



Certainly, there is no individual cellular awareness 

 within the multicellular organism. As a matter of fact 

 there is no reason whatever for believing that indi- 

 vidual cells possess any awareness at all. Yet the total 



60 



