"But let 's reverse your scenario and see if it is consistent when animals are placed with humans ? Does the dog , which has been domesticated for centuries now , when adopted by a family as a puppy , adapt to its humans and learn how to be as humans are because of their closeness to us ?"
"No - but then the feral child illustration was intended to highlight the significance of human social 'DNA ' to humans , not to imply that it can civilize any old species . However , you raise a good point which I can turn to my advantage : let 's replace the dogs in your reversed scenario with , say , chimps . Can they learn table manners and use silverware , learn to use the toilet or bathe themselves ? Yes . I 've seen a bonobo prepare a boil-in-the-bag meal . I consider my point concerning the role of social DNA in distinguishing human from animal pretty much made"
"Does the dog , which has been domesticated for centuries now , when adopted by a family as a puppy"
"However , you raise a good point which I can turn to my advantage"