If that were true then we would be able to see the fear exhibited in a new born the moment it came out of the womb. Genes don’t recognize snakes. They do create the conditions for such healthy fears to arise. Phobias are actually an example of the fears we are prepared for from infancy going into overdrive. Most people don’t exhibit phobias as such, which, in addition to the fact new borns don’t recognize snakes from day one, demonstrates fear of particular objects isn’t innate but the foundation upon which these fears are built is.