The DNA Age - That Wild Streak? Maybe It Runs in the Family

New York Times ^ | June 15, 2006 | AMY HARMON

[68skylark]

Jason Dallas used to think of his daredevil streak — a love of backcountry skiing, mountain bikes and fast vehicles — as "a personality thing."

Then he heard that scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle had linked risk-taking behavior in mice to a gene. Those without it pranced unprotected along a steel beam instead of huddling in safety like the other mice.

Now Mr. Dallas, a chef in Seattle, is convinced he has a genetic predisposition for risk-taking, a conclusion the researchers say is not unwarranted, since they believe similar variations in human genes can explain why people perceive danger differently.

"It's in your blood," Mr. Dallas said. "You hear people say that kind of thing, but now you know it really is."

A growing understanding of human genetics is prompting fresh consideration of how much control people have over who they are and how they act. The recent discoveries include genes that seem to influence whether an individual is fat, has a gift for dance or will be addicted to cigarettes. Pronouncements about the power of genes seem to be in the news almost daily, and are changing the way some Americans feel about themselves, their flaws and their talents, as well as the decisions they make.

For some people, the idea that they may not be entirely at fault for some of their less desirable qualities is liberating, conferring a scientifically backed reprieve from guilt and self-doubt. Others feel doomed by their own DNA, which seems less changeable than the more traditional culprits for personal failings, like a lack of discipline or bad childhoods. And many find it simply depressing to think that their accomplishments might not be the result of their own efforts....

[68skylark]

I swear, only a liberal can be surprised that there's a genetic component to our behavior.

There was a time not long ago when people would be called terrible names for taking this position -- like "Nazi," and even "Republican."

I guess it's a good thing when liberals re-learn truths that the rest of the world has known for thousands of years.

[68skylark]

One day soon, more people on the left will discover that there are some differences between men and women. Won't that be interesting!

[Old Professer]

The writer isn't expressing surprise but validation, who among us can prove that he is gay or straight; conservative or liberal; evil or good; or even awake or dreaming without an audience willing to applaud or up and leave the theater?

[ansel12]

Thats why liberals believe there is no such type as "warrior", to them we are all just interchangeable parts that will fit perfectly into any slot they assign us to.

[Old Professer]

"I really would like to have a test, because it would help reduce my guilt over it," said Mr. DeWolfe, 38, of Victoria, British Columbia, noting he would also welcome a genetic treatment as an alternative to his constant dieting. "That would make a big difference."

Translation:

PLEASE RELEASE MY INNER PIG!!!

[Rudder]

"I swear, only a liberal can be surprised that there's a genetic component to our behavior."

Well, when it comes to risk-taking behavior, that would be the gene for the embryonic elaboration of testicles.

[68skylark]

The writer isn't expressing surprise but validation.

Same difference, it seems to me. People have known about the influence of inherited traits since the beginning of time. But this is news to the crowd at the NY Times.

As others have noted, this recognition doesn't solve many problems by itself. People can try to blame their genes for all sorts of problems. But if we're really going to address some problems -- especially dicey problems of human behavior, like crime and addiction -- we're better off to start from a decent foundation.

[freespirited]

I swear, only a liberal can be surprised that there's a genetic component to our behavior.

They also have a huge incentive not to believe it. Lots of money from govt and foundations for their goofy social engineering projects.

[neverdem]

Graphic: Genes Linked to Behaviors NY Times' oversize graphic of "Genes Linked to Behaviors"

[The Red Zone]

born to be wild?

[martin_fierro]

	Genetic Genealogy
Send FReepmail if you want on/off GGP list Marty = Paternal Haplogroup O(2?)(M175) Maternal Haplogroup H
GG LINKS: African Ancestry DNAPrint Genomics FamilyTree DNA mitosearch Nat'l Geographic Genographic Project Oxford Ancestors RelativeGenetics Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation Trace Genetics ybase ysearch
The List of Ping Lists

Recently learned that great-grandad also rode a motorcycle. Hmmmmmm.

Thanks for the heads-up, RedZone!

[Knitting A Conundrum]

We have 5 generations of high risk behavior in (mostly) adolescent females in my family out of six...and that one where there was none was a generation that was all boys.

Tell me that's not genetic....

[CobaltBlue]

High risk behavior for adolescent girls would be reckless sex, which doesn't seem very rare.

Hitch-hiking across the country, jumping from airplanes, wrestling gators, and the like don't count as high risk behavior for girls, they're just plain dumb.

Men spread their seed, women't don't.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

It was high risk in the 1880s, 1910s, 1930s. There was a huge amount of social pressure against it. And its more than sexual behavior. That family line also has a clear tendency to both ADD (diagnosed in 3 generations) and bipolar syndrome (diagnosed one generation earlier and suspected in an earlier generation) and early puberty. And a strong tendency to artistic and verbal ability.

I suspect these traits are linked. Or we just got unlucky. You learn all kinds of stuff when you do serious genealogy.