---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Despite my interest in genetics, I never…"
description: "\"“Despite my interest in genetics, I never felt a particular attachment to my own genes. Some might consider this low self esteem; I prefer to think of ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/betsy-salkind-100735_bypassing-parenthood_despite-my-interest-in-genetics-i-never_1894891.jpg"
---

#  Despite my interest in genetics, I never felt a particular…

![“Despite my interest in genetics, I never felt a particular attachment to my own genes. Some might consider this low self esteem; I prefer to think of it as egalitarianism. I oppose breeding, in animals and humans. If you're going to get a pet, take the five-year-old at the shelter, not the…” quote by Betsy Salkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/betsy-salkind-100735_bypassing-parenthood_despite-my-interest-in-genetics-i-never_1894891.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/betsy-salkind-100735_bypassing-parenthood_despite-my-interest-in-genetics-i-never_1894891.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/betsy-salkind-100735_bypassing-parenthood_despite-my-interest-in-genetics-i-never_1894891.jpg)

> ““Despite my interest in genetics, I never felt a particular attachment to my own genes. Some might consider this low self esteem; I prefer to think of it as egalitarianism. I oppose breeding, in animals and humans. If you're going to get a pet, take the five-year-old at the shelter, not the purebred from the puppymill.””

[Betsy Salkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-salkind/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker feels detached from personal genetics, framing it as egalitarianism and opposes selective breeding, advocating adoption of older shelter animals.

**In simple terms:** Detachment from genes, favoring adoption over breeding.

Key Takeaway

Choose shelter pets over purebreds.

Themes

genetics egalitarianism animal rights

Mood

concerned activist

Type

ethical

When to use this quote

- animal rescue
- public policy

Key Concepts

ethics biology

Questions to Reflect On

- Does genetic detachment affect identity?
- How can we promote shelter adoption?

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[Animals And Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals-and-humans/) [Bypassing-parenthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bypassing-parenthood-26258/) [Despite Genetics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despite-genetics-2761321/) [Egalitarianism Oppose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/egalitarianism-oppose-2761322/) [Genes Consider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genes-consider-2761320/) [Genetics Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genetics-felt-2761319/) [Low self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/low-self-esteem/) [Oppose Breeding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppose-breeding-2761318/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/)

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[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Betsy Salkind

> [“I've taken up meditation. I like to have an espresso first to make it more challenging.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-salkind/i-ve-taken-up-meditation-i-like-to-have-an-espresso-first-to-make-it/)

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## More Bypassing-parenthood quotes

> [“I understood and appreciated the miracle of birth, but I did not understand motherhood, nor did I appreciate the oveselling of it. To me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-understood-and-appreciated-the-miracle-of-birth-but-i-did-not/)

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