Genetics involved in Risk-takers?

A recent study shows that people who are risk-takers may be motivated by their DNA. In recent years, scientists zeroed in on various sections of genes that affect the brain's levels or response to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is a substance that is known to influence our feelings of pleasure, reward, and gratification. Scientist believed that people who enjoy extreme, daredevil conduct, likely process dopamine differently than those who are risk-averse. However, test were inconsistent.


Cynthia Thomson, a graduate student in the exercise physiology department at the University of British Columbia, formed a questionnaire and asked patrons between the ages of 17 and 19 to participate. A high score on the questionnaire indicates a strong tendency to take risks. Some volunteers gave a cheek swab for DNA typing.

While examining the swabs, Cynthia began focusing on the DRD4 genes, which are involved with the development and function of dopamine. She found that their was a difference of about three percent in the gene between those who are risk-takers and those who are risk-averse. This means that some people might have inherited the need to perform risky activities to reach the optimal level of arousal.

I have always wondered if there was anything responsible genetically for somebody's willingness to take risks. Personally, I am risk-averse. In terms of sports, some of the things that people do are life-threatening and they seem to do it without being nervous. Instead, it seems to satisfy them. It is very interesting that there is a possibility of genetics playing a role in determining who is a risk-taker or not.

The Genetics of Being a Daredevil

Scientists have known that risk-taking behavior was the result of more than just environmental factors and that it is in people’s genes as well. So they started looking at risk-taking behavior like gambling and drug use. However, a researcher, Cynthia Thompson, decided to look at the difference in genes between people in the same sport. She compared the DNA of people who ski and snowboard to see if there was a connection between genes and people who like to like to go slow and cautious on the slopes as opposed to people who go fast and like to get air. She found that within peoples’ DRD4 genes, people that had a particular variant of DNA were more likely to do risky behavior. If people that do possess that gene have no healthy way of fulfilling their need for risk, that is when they turn to unhealthy ways, such as gambling and drugs.

I think this article is very interesting because it is so applicable to my life. I am the type of person who is a risk-taker and because of that, I have gravitated towards friends that are similar. We love to try new sports and activities and are always trying to do cool tricks in them. We often invite others to come with us, but sometimes those people just do not have as much fun as we do. Now I understand that they probably do not contain the same gene that we do that makes it as enjoyable for them.

Original Article

Related Article

Gene linked to Daredevil Activity?

On February 19, 2014, the New York Times released an article on the genetics of being a daredevil. A recent study on the genetics of risk-taking individuals uncovers that their behavior may be motivated by their DNA to some degree.

Certain people seem to be born needing greater physical stimulation than others, suggesting this sensation seeking has a genetic component. A study was conducted on a set of twins in 2006 who shared the risk-taking behavior to a much greater extent than could be explained by environmental factors. For years, scientists have found it difficult to zero in on a single gene that relates to this behavior. However, recently scientists paid close attention to different sections of genes that relate to the brain’s levels of or response to dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is known to influence the reward center of our brains. Researchers believe that those who enjoy taking part in extreme, daredevil activities probably process dopamine differently than those who are much more content to simply watch. However, results from earlier genetic studies on this concept were inconsistent.

It was determined that certain people with a particular combination within genes, such as DRC4, which is understood to be involved in the development and function of dopamine receptors in our brain, which is said to be responsible for the a person’s inclination toward risky behavior. On the other hand, alternative studies did not find such data or information of these links. This could be due to the fact that most of these studies were based on risk-taking behavior such as gambling and drug addiction.

Another study was conducted by a graduate student from the University of British Columbia, who decided to examine risk-seeking in sports like skiing and snowboarding in which there are various types of styles of partaking in these activities. A survey was developed in which the slope behavior and general personality was determined of each individual. The study included 117 individuals (men and women) from ages of 17 and 49. Those that scored a high combined score on these tests would specify a strong tendency to take part in risks. The volunteers also gave a cheek swab for DNA typing.

Different variations within the volunteers’ DRD4 genes were counted, in which the focus was primarily on a single section of the gene. It was discovered that those harboring this specific variant of DNA coding were much more likely to score high on the tests of risk-taking.

Though because of the small number of volunteers, an additional 386 participants were recruited. Again the same association between the variation of the DRD4 gene and daredevil behavior on the slopes was discovered. The overall effect of the variant was minimal due to the fact that it could only serve as an explanation for nearly 3 percent of the difference in behavior between risk takers and the risk opposed. Nonetheless, this discovery was statistically significant and remained intact, even when gender and sport expertise were controlled.

It is possible that the variant to come about through different combinations for parental genes as well as mutations. In the end, researchers concluded that this idea is theoretical. Therefore, no single gene alone can fully explain human behavior as it is. For those that harbor this daredevil behavior a healthy outlet should be provided so that individuals do not resort to gambling or drugs, which is possibly the best advise one can give.

Primary Article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/the-genetics-of-being-a-daredevil/?_r=0

Secondary Article: http://news.ubc.ca/2013/06/19/daredevil-genes/