The Two Things

I clicked my way into this "The Two Things" site today. Here is the story:

The Story of the Two Things

A few years ago, I was chatting with a stranger in a bar. When I told him I was an economist, he said, “Ah. So… what are the Two Things about economics?”

“Huh?” I cleverly replied.

“You know, the Two Things. For every subject, there are really only two things you really need to know. Everything else is the application of those two things, or just not important.”

“Oh,” I said. “Okay, here are the Two Things about economics. One: Incentives matter. Two: There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Very challenging question, isn't it?

My boss once asked me:"How would you explain your work to the guy sitting next to you on a plane? How would you make him think your work is important?"

I never thought of this before so I said honestly:" I don't know. What would you say?"

"Oh, just make him believe my work can cure cancer or something", he said.

So what's the Two Things about Genetics?

My answer(first draft):1. Your genes are the most important thing; 2. Don't blame everything on your genes.