Facebook Pixel

Comment Reply

I don't believe that something like alcholism is 'genetic'. If your mom was an alchoholic, and her mom was and you are, it's the behavior that is handed down, not a specific alcoholic gene. Drinking alcohol (as opposed to drinking water or eating food) is not a genetic trait. We are genetically inclined to eat food and drink water. We are not genetically inclined to ferment fruit or hops and barely and drink it, that is a man-made trait. Same with drugs. There is no genetic drive to process opiates and use them to get high.

I do believe, however, that certain people are more inclined to become addicted to drugs or alcohol or gambling (or any other 'vice') than others. I think there may be a genetic predisposition to addiction but there is not a genetic predisposition to a specific addition. Gambling is not genetic! Our genes are far too old and go too far back! Way before even alcohol and that is several thousand years.

The mere fact that someone's family has a history of alcohol abuse doesn't make alcohol abuse genetic. It perhaps makes addiction genetic but the actual addiction choice (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes etc) is mimicked behavior. We are more likely to drink if our parents drink, smoke if they smoke, etc.

March 2, 2008 - 6:54am

Reply

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy