Originally posted by DA Morgan:
Few human traits are so simple as to be attributable to a single protein.
Likely this one is no different.
It seems that one of the best links we have between genes and
complex behaviour is serotonergic dysfunction.
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Quote from Psychiatric Times - "It is likely that several genes of small effect size contribute to the genetic vulnerability of such a complex phenomenon as SB [Suicidal Behaviour linked to serotonergic dysfunction]. The recently published human genome map should enable us to search for functional polymorphisms in candidate genes of various neurotransmitters and neuropeptides systems."
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- According to the American Psychological Association we are still some decades away from finding any real 'personality genes'.
It is not by any means clear that behaviours like altruism are driven by genes/proteins.
Could it not be that once sentient minds become self aware and aware that others have feelings and an inner life then altruistic behaviour may then follow - an emergent property if you will? This is a different order of behaviour than some of the seemingly altruistic behaviour seen in the animal kingdom that may well just be an instinct driven by evolution.
It seems to me that because we have encountered these kind of actions in the animal kingdom then we assume that all altruistic behaviour has its root there and is just a more subtle and evolved form of the same thing.
Blacknad.