In article ,
wrote:

As someone who has worked with emotionally disturbed people and then gone on
to
become a scientists I am convinced there is enough scientific evidence to
suggest
that 80% or more of our "character" is genetically determined, hardwired in
at birth
and that it can only be slightly modified by "training". The latest evidence
is for
autism:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0302090222.htm
anger, well at least it is a start:
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/...angergene.html
"While several research groups have found evidence indicating that the
polymorphic
transcriptional control region of the serotonin transporter gene may
contribute to
anger-related behavioral characteristics, the story is much more complex than
the
feature story from Good Morning America leads us to believe. For instance,
this
particular polymorphism has not only been implicated as a gene likely to
predict
those more prone to anger, but other researchers have found countless other
correlations between one's 5-HTTLPR genotype and the tendency to be
depressed,
develop schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, and become suicidal among others."
alcoholism and addiction:
http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine...olism-13639-1/

Looks like someone is looking for funding, probably from insurance
companies who want to be able to disqualify individuals who may cost
them money.

"Their team developed, validated, and applied a new genetic platform
that allowed them to generate the equivalent of more than 29 million
individual genotypes and to analyze 104,268 genetic variations from
unrelated alcohol-dependent and control individuals."

Yeah, right, and these will still need to be tested and verified.

Because there are genetic diseases caused by deficiencies in the DNA --
mRNA -- protein -- enzyme/hormone system, the theory is plausible nut
its' position on determinism still hasn't won the nature vs. nurture
controversy. As you said, it is a tendency, and may only be true for
groups and not indiviuals. To be touted as a reason for "schizophrenia,
anorexia nervosa, and become suicidal among others" is premature.
For the time being, it is speculation.
alcoholism and addiction


It wasnt very long ago that "bad mothers" were blamed for everything from
SIDS to
autism to schizophrenia. We are gradually beginning to unravel the
complexities of
the brain and how different genetics affects personality and mental health.
Some day
we will be able to test for propensity to addiction, even sociopathy at birth
and
have treatments so children and adults do not have to self medicate. Someday
we will
be able to identify at risk and change the genes before birth. Nobody should
have to
suffer mental pain any more than suffer physically from pain.

INgrid

On Sat, 09 May 2009 19:24:20 -0500, Jangchub wrote:
Yeah, it's called getting sober. If we have to take drugs to prevent
drug abuse we may as well just kill ourselves. My father drank right
through antibuse, the miracle drug for alcoholics in the seventies. I
know people who take these things and because the underlying issue is
never addressed with psychotherapy or self-examination through
rigorous honesty; well, they're doomed.

Addiction is a fault in character development for whatever reason.
It's not a disease.

I am not talking about antidepressants now. Depression IS a disease.
It is a mental disease having nothing to do with character
development

One last thing: This new Parkinson's drug causes intersting side
effects like compulsive gambling and sex "addiction."
When it come to sex, I must admit that, I to, am a-dickted.
--

- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html