Posted on 08/26/2012 6:33:19 PM PDT by maddog55
Researchers have determined that genetics could matter when it comes to some adults' political leanings.
According to scientists at UC San Diego and Harvard University, "ideology is affected not just by social factors, but also by a dopamine receptor gene called DRD4." That and how many friends you had during high school.
The study was led by UCSD's James Fowler and focused on 2,000 subjects from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Scientists matched the subjects' genetic information with "maps" of their social networks. According to researchers, they determined that people "with a specific variant of the DRD4 gene were more likely to be liberal as adults." However, the, subjects were only more likely to have leanings to the left if they were also socially active during adolescence.
"It is the crucial interaction of two factors -- the genetic predisposition and the environmental condition of having many friends in adolescence -- that is associated with being more liberal, according to the study.
"These findings suggest that political affiliation is not based solely on the kind of social environment people experience, said Fowler, who is a professor of political science and medical genetics.
The researchers also said their findings held true no matter what the ethnicity, culture, sex or age of the subjects were.
Source: Scientists Find 'Liberal Gene' | NBC 7 San Diego
The same study was previously - some years ago - reported out as a new study, with the same claims.
First off, in a small sample of only 2,000 people, there are a ton of variables that could provide equal correlation to “being Liberal” as was surmised for the two factors cited b the researchers. Like, you could look at education for starters.
is the liberal gene centered around the anus?
With Planned Parenthood’s history of promoting eugenics, this does not portend well if Obama is re-elected.
LOL.. What a crock this “finding” is!
I always thought it was a genetic malady - being born with “headupbutt” disease.
For sake of discussion, let’s say this study is accurate. Not saying it is, let’s just suppose for a moment.
The fact that 2 siblings could have been formed, and born, with the defective gene, is a reasonable possibility. They also might have been born with a predisposition for a certain cancer. Just because a family member gets cancer doesn’t mean every family member will.
That said, I predict that a ‘liberal’ gene will, in fact, be found. And long, long before they find any sort of faggot gene.
Liberalism doesn’t just ‘happen’ to most people, it’s a defect, and the underlying cause of that defect will be found to be genetic.
I think you're right. Did people who became conservative have a gene removed? No, I think the adolescent influence (like Obama had) mentioned in the article is what caused their liberalism. I was a liberal, as well as most of my family, but when we became Christians and read God's word, we started following God's laws, then became republicans. Besides we do not want liberals to say we are missing a gene so they can have us committed, when in reality they are missing conscience and a brain.
Does this mean that a test could be developed, and potential liberals aborted?
Just askin’.
It can be removed with another million dollar grant from the government. They will find the opposite results for that much money..
yeah me too, I had friends, got elected to stuff etc, this “study” is dumb
“but also by a dopamine receptor gene “
That’s “dopamine” with the emphasis on “dope”.
Excellent! All voters should now be scanned for DRD4, and if it's found, they can't vote anymore.
Peace, freedom, prosperity, justice, kindness, sanity, goodwill, morality, intelligence and Every Good Thing at last!
Hate to burst your bubble, but that’s not what “variant” means in this case. There would be several different possible configurations of nucleotide pairs, all “normal”, of the DRD4 gene, and one particular one predisposes to liberalism. Just like there are different “variants” of eye color etc (though yes, that is governed by more than one gene).
If it weren’t a “normal” configuration of the gene, it would be termed “aberration”.
I think a 50 cent 45 bullet would do the trick!!!
I don’t know about genetics. I do notice that Volvo and Prius drivers tend to be liberal. Drivers with “coexist” stickers on their vehicles almost certainly are liberals.
The environmental condition of public school education biased towards a liberal worldview (diversity training in homosexual appreciation, global warming scares, selective redaction of Democrat support for Jim Crow laws/segregation/opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Bill...) combined with a desire to "be liked".
The more "having a lot of friends" is established as a goal, the more mushy you may become to be "accepted". Go with the herd. Be a lemming or a sheep.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.