Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Health → Genetics

Altruism gene discovered: generosity explained by science

Tibi Puiu by Tibi Puiu
November 15, 2010
in Genetics, Research, Studies

I recently finished reading The Generous Man by Tor Nørretranders in which the author tries to explain the awkward act of giving away, charity, by invoking social mechanics – sex to be more accurate. People are generous, and by giving they prove they posses enough resources and skill to make it in the world with a handicap. As preposterous as it may sound, Nørretranders explains in a very optimistic and satirical manner how sexual selection and generosity are powerfully linked together going as far as saying that even science, which has altruism at its essence, is driven by sex.

However entertaining and even logical Nørretranders’ book is, I’m more inclined to perceive the scientific approach to altruism revealed in a recent study conducted by the University of Bonn and published in the journal Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience. According to the study, scientists have found a link between a genetic mutation of the COMT gene and altruism. The COMT gene is responsible for building instructions for an enzyme, which inactivates certain messengers in the brain – the most well known of these messengers is dopamine.

So has it people possessing the COMT-Val gene variant are twice as likely to donate to charity than people possessing the other variant, COMT-Met. This conclusion was taken after researchers worked together with psychologist Professor Dr. Martin Reuter who invited 100 of his students to take a “retention test”. Each student was presented with a series of numbers which they needed to memorize, after which they were required to repeat them as correctly as possible. For this task, each student was awarded 5 euros. Under the mask of anonymity and with complete free choice at their disposal, the student could either take the money with him and spend them or give it away to charity. “We always knew how much money was in the cash box beforehand and could therefore calculate the amount donated”, explains Reuter as to how the results became relevant.

The study might prove to be extremely valuable seeing how this is the first time researchers have managed to establish a connection between a particular gene and altruistic behavior. Previous studies conducted on sets of twins, which brought in similar results, enforces this theory.

Was this helpful?


Thanks for your feedback!

Related posts:
  1. Preschool children absorb aggression more than altruism from superhero culture
  2. Generosity is probably somewhat genetic
  3. Bonobo food-sharing points to evolutionary origin of human generosity
  4. Generosity linked with happiness and evolutionary success
  5. Generosity may be contagious, new study suggests
Tags: altruism geneCOMT genegeneticssociology

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW