Does He Have a Tiny - Gene?

Scientists conducted an experiment with 203 online players. Each player was issued units worth approximately $12, which they could either keep for themselves or anonymously donate to another player. The players also underwent DNA analysis, which was then compared with their responses. It emerged that the most selfish were those whose AVPR1a gene was the shortest. Those with a longer gene were more generous, reports the popular science journal Nature.

A team of scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by Richard Ebstein, discovered that the short variant of the gene does not supply those brain centres with receptors that generate pleasure from altruistic behaviour. As a result, "carriers" of the short AVPR1a tend to grab more for themselves and are not troubled by pangs of conscience about selfish behaviour.

Research into the formation of human character is an intriguing but very complex undertaking. Individual traits can arise from the influence of genes, the surrounding society, or powerful psychological experiences, so identifying an unambiguous cause is almost impossible. Nevertheless, the Israeli scientists believe they have managed to discover how cruel dictators arise.

Earlier studies on prairie rodents established that mammals' bodies contain a hormone called vasopressin, which prompts living beings to act altruistically and in a socially friendly manner. The AVPR1a gene, in turn, produces receptors that absorb vasopressin. R. Ebstein decided to find out whether these receptors influence the brain and cause people to be generous.

Possibly carriers of the short AVPR1a gene also included - Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Saddam Hussein, Zimbabwe's ruler Robert Mugabe, the former president of Zaire Mobutu.

http://www.truthnews.us/?p=2142
http://avpr1a.com/
http://diena.lv/lat/politics/sestdiena/vinjiem_ir_mazinjsh_geens