Gene mutation can turn men into vicious drunks
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Scientists believe they’ve discovered a genetic mutation that may turn usually mild-mannered individuals into obnoxious, violent brutes once they get drunk. The mutation is linked to a brain abnormality that may contribute to violently impulsive behavior under the influence of alcohol, reports the Telegraph. The mutation interferes with a gene, HTR2B, which affects serotonin production and detection in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that influences behavior.
“Carriers of the HTR2B variant who had committed impulsive crimes were male, and all had become violent only while drunk from alcohol, which itself leads to behavioral disinhibition,” said the lead researcher. The violent crimes were described as spontaneous and purposeless. The new information could lead to treatment for violent drunks.
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The question is: what enables people to act like a-holes regardless of whether they smoke, drink, eat to much or whatever? Hell, is there a racism gene or a genocide gene? Maybe Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot and Ulysses S. Grant were victims of their genes?
Unfortunately, scientist have not yet discovered the gene that causes the elbow to bend a bottle or glass of liquor in conjunction with the idea of taking a drink. Now if only they could disable that molecular mechanism; there has to be research money in that, only I am sure the liquor industry bought off the scientist; it’s only that the medical *industry* is hot on their trails with all kinds of money making gimmicks, I mean, novel approaches…
Mike, my friend we may be in the process of re thinking a lot of our environmental and biological theories in the coming years. Some of the research I having been doing strongly suggests that there is a lot more to the bio genetic theories than we have been willing to credit them with. While those individuals with the “HTR2B” mutation may need alcohol to trigger them those with a defective MAOA gene do not. A number of studies have shown that the MAOA gene, which is charged with controlling excessive serotonin, may be defective in as many as 1/3 of the population of males in the Western population. Those with this defective gene have been shown more likely to join gangs (Comprehensive Psychiatry, May, 2010).
“The low MAOA activity alleles conferred an increased risk of joining a gang and using a weapon in a fight for males but not for females. Moreover, among male gang members, those who used weapons in a fight were more likely to have a low MAOA activity allele when compared with male gang members who do not use weapons in a fight.”
Other studies have shown an excessive violent nature and anger development in males with low MAOA activity. While I still believe that the environment places a role in criminal behavior this may well help resolve the issues of why people coming out of the same environment come out differently.
On a side note Mike, this defective gene is found only in males. You have to figure out the females for yourself for the time being.:)
I don’t think a genetic tendency excuses people from acting badly when drunk. But it does help explain why some people do act so badly while others just, say, fall asleep (like my husband!). I know a few people who may have had that gene and they had the sense to quit drinking. I hope this learning may encourage others to do the same.
Thanks MG for stopping by. I have also known people who could go either way when drinking. I have also known people who have exercised that good sense and quit.
MG, I think it is less about excuses than it is about trying to understand why some people behave so badly, drunk or sober. I know people who behave OK most of the time but once in a while are really jerks.
I wonder if this research could be taken further and maybe some day, we will find out if there is some kind of gene mutation that turns ordinary women into maniacs at certain times. Ok not all ordinary women really, just me who turns into robo bitch during her cycle. Just thought from my warped mind I suppose.
I’m with both you and MH on behaviors Mike, being held accountable and things being learned good or bad. Whoever told you that you were stubborn, I can’t see that at all 🙂
Why thanks Jessica Marie. I hope Julie reads your comment 🙂
You better hope she doesn’t, since the words robo bitch are in there, or she might get the wrong idea. I’m just saying is all. 🙂
I would hope that what might come from this discovery would be some type of laws making it illegal for possessors of this gene to have alcohol, rather than exonerating their bad behavior because of it.
I have problems with my brain not producing enough seratonin as well. Doesn’t give me a pass on being a maniacal bitch.
People need to be held accountable for their behavior, no matter whether there is a biological tendency for it or not.
I have long been opposed to the the positivist theory of criminology that speaks to some biological basis for criminal behavior and this discovery does little to change my mind. I firmly believe that crime is learned and is influenced both directly and indirectly by one’s environment. Of course I have been accused of being stubborn from time to time 🙂