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Topic: Happiness may be all in the genes (Read 795 times) |
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David Lucifer
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Enlighten me.
  
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Happiness may be all in the genes
« on: 2004-07-08 21:17:05 » |
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1257194,00.html
Happiness may be all in the genes
Ian Sample, science correspondent
Friday July 9, 2004
The Guardian
Scientists have discovered a genetic mechanism that could explain why some people are more prone than others to debilitating psychiatric disorders.
The team found that a variation in a single gene produced different levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which influences mood, emotions, appetite and the ability to sleep. Studies showed that mice with one variant of the gene had serotonin levels 50% to 70% lower than the levels of others.
"We've identified a naturally occurring genetic difference that controls production of serotonin in the brain," said Marc Caron, of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in North Carolina, whose study appears today in the journal Science. The researchers plan to look next at human genes.
Low levels of serotonin are thought to play a role in several psychiatric disorders, including depression. The team believes humans may have many versions of the gene controlling serotonin levels, meaning our susceptibility to mental disorders may be genetically determined.
Serotonin, often dubbed a "feel-good" chemical, is re-absorbed in the brain. Antidepressants slow down the re-absorption rate so the mood-boosting chemical stays active in the brain for longer. Scientists have already found that an enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2), governs serotonin levels. Finding what kind of Tph2 gene a patient has could help predict the effectiveness of drugs on that person.
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fishsuit
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Bananaramapajamas
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Re:Happiness may be all in the genes
« Reply #1 on: 2005-04-18 19:02:21 » |
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Philosophers bicker about determinism, the idea that all actions on earth and abroad are governed by physical laws and therefore are as good as written in fate's book. They've made distinctions between hard and soft determinism, freewill and limited freewill. Modern genetics has provided more than enough support to decide the issue, too bad it is all on the side of hard determinism. Physics began this attack on our powers with the enumeration of its laws. Now that biology has stepped in line it seems that little else can be done but admit it. Nature has made us slaves, and we will dance to its tune as she dictates thinking we are making up the moves and rhythms.
Here is another nail in the coffin. Psychiatry shows that even consciousness, our inner processes and moods are utterly decided by epigenetic development over which we can hardly pretend to control.
These are the thoughts that encourage me to ditch class.
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