| The Power of Life: The Wonders of Genetic Programming Kick In with the First Cry of the Newborns |
When observing the fetus and the newborn, it is apparent that babies have an innate power that gives them the strength to live. To use the now, so popular, computer as an analogy, we can say that babies have been programmed. Of course, since babies become adults one day, the same goes for adults. It may sound arrogant to state that what some believe to be god's work can be described in such simple terms as programs and computers. However, this new way of thinking can be adopted by those in both science fields and literary worlds. Thus, this can be stated as a very important metaphor for describing a part of kodomogaku, the study of the child.
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There may be two ways of thinking about this precious life. One being a non-material way, thinking about life and vigor itself, while the other is a more machine-like theory thinking of matter and cells coming together to form a "machine". I would like to describe the latter in more detail.
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A program enables a system to function properly and a system has a certain purpose, and is made up of many elements. In most cases, within a system is a sub-system and within that system is another sub-system and the chain goes on. However, in the very end one is able to find the original factor.
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It almost seems appropriate to call this system a "super system" when one takes into consideration, the fact that a person develops from a single fertilized egg. This fertilized egg grows into a fetus, which in turn grows into an infant, growing into a child, into an adolescent, and so on until one is an adult and a socially functioning citizen. The will to "live" is carried on in each step and this will along with the power to function properly in society is all a part of the system. Thus, the amazing part of this whole process is that the mental and emotional aspects of living are also included in this "program" which allows an individual to develop in his/her given environment.
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Let's think about the human body once again. The newborn cries out when s/he is born and the respiratory system kicks in with this small helpless outcry. It seems that the "respiratory switch" in this human program is turned on.
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The respiratory system is then, a complex system consisting of many elements including the nasal passage, the pharynx, the bronchial passage, the lungs, and the chest which affects the ribs, the pectorals, etceteras. This complex system is then, turned on with that tiny little cry from the infant and for the rest of that person's life, will function day and night until his/her death.
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It is more important to note that even the fetus, is able to move its lungs and exchange his own fluids within the amniotic sac. In the last months of a pregnancy, an ultrasound is able to pick up this special activity. It almost seems as the fetus is performing a dress rehearsal!
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Next, I would like to think about the circulatory system. This is also a similar system with the many arteries and veins leading to and from the heart which pumps blood to every inch and corner of the body.
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Even in the early days of a pregnancy, one is able to witness, however partial it may be, the wonderful workings of the circulatory system. The fetus grasps the nutrition and oxygen s/he needs from the mother's placenta, returning whatever s/he doesn't need and so on, beginning the "communication" or the give and take process of mother and child. I believe that some part of this tiny fetus's body sparks the switch for this circulatory system to take off and once it does, it keeps going without a break until his/her death.
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I have only discussed two systems here, but I believe my metaphor of the human body being a "programmed system" is now quite clear. The fetus and newborn is able to "live" with only the help of one's genes. To be simplistic and somewhat crude, one does not even need to be nurtured by one's surroundings, education or training in order to simply live during the fetal and neonatal period. This is what I mean by the fetus and baby, therefore child and adult being programmed.
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However, it should be mentioned that the child holds the programs to improve the other programs. The programs of the higher brain functions, "thinking, learning, imitating, memorizing believing etc.", can make the other programs better by education, training and child care, and also can make even culture itself. This is why to call our system a "supersystem".
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