Discuss the research found about genetic factors and drug abuse. Be sure to include any research found on identical twins, and children of alcoholics

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: Recently, attention has focused on the contribution that certain genetic traits make toward the abuse of a range of drugs. Environmental factors are also undoubtedly important. Recent studies have shown, however, that genetic factors play an equal or greater role.

Most studies concerning genetic factors in humans have focused on alcoholic individuals, and a growing research literature indicates that alcoholism has a genetic component. Family studies have shown that children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics. Identical twins (those who have identical genetic compositions) are more likely to have a similar risk for alcoholism than fraternal twins, who share only half their genetic traits with each other. In addition, children who have at least one alcoholic biological parent key points to be made and were adopted by nonalcoholic parents are three times more likely to have a problem with alcohol, even when they have been raised in a low-risk environment.

They have yet to identify the single gene that may be responsible for the emergence of alcoholism, and it is believed likely that several genes play a role in determining the level of risk. Genes that play an important role in alcoholism may include genes associated with liver enzymes that metabolize (break down) alcohol and genes affecting specific patterns of brain chemistry.

Criminal Justice

You might also like to view...

Which subtype of child molester typically leads the most stable life?

a. Regressed child molester b. Morally indiscriminate child molester c. Inadequate child molester d. Sexually indiscriminate child molester

Criminal Justice

In 1974, the ______________ Rules of Evidence were created by the National Conference on Commissioners on Uniform State Law

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Criminal Justice

What is a Malware?

What will be an ideal response?

Criminal Justice

One mark of a sophisticated researcher is the ability to

A) Integrate convergent techniques to a complex research question B) Apply diverse techniques to address different aspects of a complex research question C) Use mental concepts to reflect exactly what we measured D) Generalize beyond the cases actually studied

Criminal Justice