“To be honest this entire debate is wasteful. Even conservative estimates are that less than 5% of chronic illness is attributable to genes. Regardless of the exact small percentage, there are two important facts that simply cannot be denied. One, the vast majority of illness, spending, and deaths are attributable to lifestyle and thus preventable with lifestyle change. Two, lifestyle is the most significant factor determining the quality and quantity for at least 95% of the population & is a very significant factor determining the quality of life in 100% of the population.”
The above quote is from Dr. James Chestnut. I have had the opportunity to hear him speak in person and I consider him one of my professional teachers and mentors.
I was a little less than honest in the quoting Dr. Chestnut and titling this blog entry in the way I did because it implies that we are going to contrast genetics and lifestyle, and at the very least, debate the pros and cons of each. We are not.
Because of my background, training, and life experiences I see this argument really in terms of quality of life, rather than quantity. To be sure, there is abundant evidence that if we take care of all of our Vital Ecosystems we have the potential to live much longer (quantity). For me, however, making more whole choices in all eight of our Ecosystems brings a greater degree of life wholeness, wellness, and soundness (quality). It allows us to experience more vitality, in fact, to have a more Vital Life.
It reminds me of the old question, would you rather live to be 100 and miserable, or to 50 and be joyful? I don’t think it’s a bad goal to live to be as long as possible, but if that is our only goal, we may miss the chance to add a greater depth and wisdom to our lives. If we’re hell bent on immortality we might just miss the life-giving, life-affirming events that make us mortal, that truly allow us to be the best human we can be
Perhaps this debate just needs to be rephrased or turned in such a way that longevity (which is almost always associated with genetics) is not given center stage to the exclusion of lifestyle. That tripe saying about life being a journey really is true, and genetics may give you the boat to travel, but it doesn’t determine your destination or what sights you’ll see along the way!
~Dr. Jack Harless
Manager of The Franciscan Center
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