Most parents will bear out the fact that such traits continue throughout a lifetime. While it is generally believed that inheritance may play a strong role in determining just how intelligent a child can become, very few people ever come near achieving their potential. Although a child inherits physical, mental, and perhaps emotional 'equipment', there is certainly ample evidence that all of these are modified by experience. The development of such traits as honesty, compassion, concern for others, respect for self, is acquired and is dependent upon one's environment and training. Children with aggressive temperaments may become violent persons bent on achieving only their own ends or they may become extremely accomplished with the strength and energy necessary for becoming real leaders.
Most genes depend to some degree upon their environment for their expression.
It is possible that the child who had to be placed for adoption may have been born of parents who had serious social problems. This is undoubtedly because of lacks within their environment and not the result of inheritable weaknesses. Few of us can trace our parentage back more than a few generations. And those who can will surely know that included among all of our ancestors are people who have been capable of and have performed some of the most noble and some of the most lowly of acts. Every parent is faced with the same task.