DNA Testing – Genes and Addiction
Addiction can cause physical and mental ill health. Can DNA testing offer vital clues in battling addiction?
Our DNA is like an intricate instruction manual for our body. It affects how we look and our health, but can it determine our behaviour? DNA testing shows that although environment plays a crucial part in how we behave, there are scientists who search for genes that dictate behavioural traits such as addictive behaviour.
DNA Testing and Behaviour
Using DNA testing to try and determine behavioural traits is controversial. Ethical debates revolve around concerns that if DNA testing confirms you have a particular gene that makes you more susceptible to aggression or addiction, this information could be used to discriminate against you.
DNA Testing - Addiction and Genetics
The overall consensus is that although genes may make you more likely to be, for example, an addictive personality, they don’t determine your personality. Environment and upbringing are considered to be the triggers that shape your personality. However, some believe that DNA testing can be useful to find out if you are predisposed to certain behavioural traits.
DNA Testing and Substance Abuse
Can DNA testing help spot potential substance abusers? Scientists certainly believe that people are more predisposed to addiction such as alcoholism, because of the role their genes play. For example, genes interact to affect how tolerant you are of alcohol. It’s well known that certain races are not as capable of tolerating alcohol, and this has often been put down to genetics. If DNA testing can help identify the genes that influence alcohol tolerance, it could help develop treatments and drugs to help alcoholics.
Dopamine Dependent
DNA testing can help reveal genes that show if we’re more vulnerable to addiction. Dopamine is a chemical released in the brain that is associated with drug and alcohol abuse. And variant genes have been uncovered in some addicts that are thought to impact on dopamine levels. However, although this may mean the person in question is more vulnerable to addiction, they still have choice and control over their own actions.
DNA Testing - Nature and Nurture
Circumstances and how we are treated emotionally in life are more likely to be the trigger factors of an addiction then our genetic make-up is. DNA testing could however have a crucial role to play in unearthing ways of helping to identify treatments for addicts. Research has shown that soldiers who fell into drug-abuse in Vietnam did so because it was readily available and the environment was harsh. They did however recover quicker when they became civilians back home – and their recovery rate was significantly higher then other addicts revealing that environment plays a major factor in addiction.
International Biosciences offer a broad range of DNA testing services designed to provide indisputable answers to emotional questions. Whether you seek to establish paternity, prove siblingship or research genealogy, for legal definition or peace of mind, we are able to provide DNA testing at competitive rates, professionally and confidentially. Using state of the art technology we are able to provide conclusive evidence on time, every time. Contact International Biosciences on 01342 850945 or click here to email us.
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