A study was conducted by University of Utah, investigating the trend of
addiction within families. Researchers compile family trees and mark individuals that suffer from addictions. By doing so the trend, or lack of trend, can be seen. Addiction is affected by multiple genes; however, addiction is also affected by environmental effects. Due to difficulties of researching on human, many studies have been done on the effects of specific genes on addictive tendencies. Genes sequences, missing genes, duplicate genes, and more genetic variations have all been linked to addictive traits in organisms. In some cases the genetic variation would lead to increased rates of addictive tendencies; however, other genetic variations led decreased trends in addictive traits. For example, mice bred to lack cannabinoid receptor gene Cnr1 have a less satisfying experience with morphine. This shows how certain genetic variations can be beneficial for an organism to be less prone to addiction. Unfortunately, many genetic variations cause the organism to be more prone to addiction.
Genetic inclination to addiction does not mean you are born an addict; however, there are a lot of genes that have negative and positive effects on addictive tendencies.
Genetics have been proven to play a critical role in addiction in animals and humans. Environmental factors still play a crucial role in addiction. Both factors contribute to an organisms probability to develop an addiction in conjunction.
I agree with the idea that addiction could be inherited. I feel genes increase an individual's chances of being addicted to something( i.e. alcohol) ; however, I also agree with you that one's environment plays a role in addiction. Both factors play a role in addiction, but I feel that someone who inherits the genes would have a difficult time resisting the addiction if they were put into a bad environment.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that genes highly increase an individual's chance of having an addiction (gambling, alcohol, ect.). Likewise, I also believe that the environment in which one subsides most certainly plays a role in a person's addiction. For example, a son who grows up with an alcoholic father and grandfather will have a greater chance of becoming an alcoholic rather than a son who has a sober father and grandfather.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that it's true that genetics plays a role in addiction, and in many cases it may be likely that addiction will genetically be passed to offspring of an addict parent. However, this is not always the case. While it is possible to have parents or a parent who is an addict and end up being an addict, it is also possible to have no signs of addiction at all. Genetics as well as a person's environment affects whether or not an organism will be an addict. It's interesting to find that some genetic variations can actually make organisms less prone to addiction, and other genes can make an organism more prone to addiction.
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