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 Mercy Eustace Senior Seminar         November 6, 2008         The Genetics of Addiction         Society today seems to be obsessed with the idea of addiction. There are many reality shows about people with different addiction such as alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, etc. Addiction is a very popular topic in America and you have probably even heard the saying that America is a nation of drug addicts. It is fascinating how some people become addicted and others do not, and how addiction destructively runs through some families. We are all familiar with drug addiction from the media or personal experiences, but have you ever thought about what causes drug addiction? Experiments and scientific research show that drug addiction and genetics have the strongest link in what causes drug addiction.

Scientists have defined several genes that influence the risk of addiction. Scientists have studied the different influences on drug addiction. Genetics are the strongest cause that has been discovered. “It may be hard to see how a tiny piece of DNA could influence the risk of becoming addicted. The fact is, however, that scientists have identified several genes that can do just that” (Genetics 1). Different genes can determine whether a person is more or less susceptible to drug addiction. Although genes are a huge part of drug addiction it does not mean that a person will become addicted to drugs it just means that they are more likely than a person with out that gene. “Overall, (studies) suggest that genetics contribute to approximately 50 to 60% of all cases of addiction” (Stoehr 67).

If a biological parent is a drug addict the likelihood of the child becoming an addict is far more likely. This idea is not only because of genetics but also because of the environment that a child is raised in. “…the best predictor of alcoholism among half-siblings was the existence of a shared alcoholic parent” (Parsian 1). The fact that drug addiction runs in families proves the point that addiction is mostly the cause of genetics. //“//If many family members and relatives abuse drugs or alcohol, this may indicate that genetic factors play a role in increasing their risk of developing drug abuse” (Riggs 6). Therefore the link between parent-child addictions proves that genetics play a huge role is predicting addictive tendencies.

It is a fact that identical twins generally share addictions because they have the same DNA. In many studies it has been proven that twins are very likely to share addiction habits even if they do not grow up together. The genes that twins share can highly influence their vulnerability to drug addiction. “On a questionnaire in which the participants were asked to rate how “good” or “bad” the drug made them feel, the answers of the identical twins were more alike than those of the fraternal twins” (Genetics 1). The studies done on identical twins show that genetics are a huge factor in addiction. “Studies of twins are particularly useful for analyzing the origins of a behavior like addiction” (Legrand 2).

Experiments and scientific research show that drug addiction and genetics have the strongest link in what causes drug addiction. Specific genes have been studied and shown to have a strong link to drug addiction. Also studies between parent to child and identical twins have shown the link between genetics and addiction. Addiction is passed through families and shared between identical twins meaning that genetics are a huge reason that people become addicted to drugs.

Works Consulted  "Alcohol Use; Genome study may help identify people most at risk for alcoholism." __Life Science Weekly__. 19 Sep 2006. 101. __eLibrary__. Proquest CSA. SPRINGFIELD TWP SR HIGH SCHOOL. 03 Oct 2008. http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/curriculum.

Dick, Danielle M; Agrawal, Arpana. "The Genetics of Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence." __Alcohol Health & Research World__. 01 Apr 2008. 111. __eLibrary__. Proquest CSA. SPRINGFIELD TWP SR HIGH SCHOOL. 03 Oct 2008. http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/curriculum .  "Genetics and addiction: scientists are uncovering new information from the field of genetics that will be able to help in the prevention and treatment of drug addiction.(HEADS UP REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY)." //New York Times Upfront.// 141. 2 (Sept 22, 2008): 21(3). //Student Resource Center - Gold//. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 3 Oct. 2008 http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/infomark.do? &contentSet=IAC-Documents &type=retrieve &tabID=T003 &prodId=SRC-1 &docId=A186224297 &source=gale &srcprod=SRCG &userGroupName=erde79591 &version=1.0.  Labouvie, Erich, Marsha E. Bates and Robert J. Pandina. "Age of first use: its reliability and predictive utility." //Journal of Studies on Alcohol.// v58. n6 (Nov 1997): p638(6). //Student Resource Center - Gold//. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 7 Oct. 2008 [|http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/infomark.do? &contentSet=IAC-Documents &type=retrieve &tabID=T002 &prodId=SRC-1 &docId=A20124894 &source=gale &srcprod=SRCG &userGroupName=erde79591 &version=1.0].  Legrand, Lisa N, William G. Iacono and Matt McGue. "Predicting addiction: behavioral genetics uses twins and time to decipher the origins of addiction and learn who is most vulnerable." //American Scientist.// 93. 2 (March-April 2005): 140(8). //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 3 Oct. 2008 http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do? &contentSet=IAC-Documents &type=retrieve &tabID=T002 &prodId=OVRC &docId=A130218706 &source=gale &srcprod=OVRC &userGroupName=erde79591 &version=1.0.  Parsian, Abbas, and C. Robert Cloninger. "Genetics of high-risk populations. (Addiction: Maybe It's in the Genes) (Cover Story)." //Addiction & Recovery.// v11. n6 (Nov-Dec 1991): p9(4). //Student Resource Center - Gold//. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 3 Oct. 2008 . 





<span style="FONT-SIZE: 110%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">Riggs, Paula DeGraffenreid. "Drug abuse." __World Book Advanced__. 2008. 3 Oct. 2008 <http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar167210>.