Israeli Researchers Fin 'Altruism Gene' - Jerusalem Post

[applegrove]

Israeli Researchers Fin 'Altruism Gene'
by Judy Siegel-Itzkovich
Jerusalem Post January 20, 2005


"The first gene linked to altruistic behavior has been identified by Israeli psychologists who believe it boosts receptors for the neurotransmitter dopamine, which gives the brain a good feeling.

The discovery of the gene variant on chromosome No. 11 is reported in the advance on-line edition of the journal Molecular Psychiatry (nature.com/mp) by Prof. Richard Ebstein, a psychologist, and colleagues at the Hebrew University and Herzog Memorial Hospital in Jerusalem. The “scientific correspondence” will appear in the printed journal in a month or so.

Ebstein, who headed a team that in the 1990s discovered a “risk-taking gene,” told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that the source of altruism—in which someone sacrifices his own interests to benefit others—has been an important question in evolutionary theory for many years.

Even Charles Darwin dealt with it, he said. One would not expect altruism to have an evolutionary benefit because the altruistic person promotes other people’s survival by taking risks that could endanger his own. Ebstein discussed the matter with his students in an evolutionary psychology course and then launched the genetic study.

..........SNIP"

http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2005/01/israeli_researc.php

[applegrove]

1. This is old. But seeing how neocons now have altruism in their sights..

we need to read up on the science. At least I do.:shrug:

[Tom Joad]

2. Rachel Corrie must have had an extra set. Like the kids who went to

mississippi to join the freedom riders. Each saw that their survival depended on ensuring the rights of others.

[applegrove]

3. Yes. Those were brave people during the civil rights. I wouldn't have

had the guts to go. I don't know much about Rachel Corrie - but she was stubbornly brave too.