Altered Instinct

noun /ˈinstiNGkt/  
instincts, plural

An innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli
• - birds have an instinct to build nests
• - maternal instincts
A natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking
• - they retain their old authoritarian instincts
A natural propensity or skill of a specified kind
• - his instinct for making the most of his chances
The fact or quality of possessing innate behavior patterns
• - instinct told her not to ask the question

al·ter

verb /ˈôltər/ 
altered, past participle; altered, past tense; altering, present participle; alters, 3rd person singular present
Change or cause to change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way
• - Eliot was persuaded to alter the passage
• - nothing alters the fact that children are our responsibility
• - our outward appearance alters as we get older
• - an altered state
Make structural changes to (a building)
• - plans to alter the dining hall
Tailor (clothing) for a better fit or to conform to fashion
• - skirts with the hemlines altered a dozen different times
Castrate or spay (a domestic animal)