Scientists Discover Gene For Ruthlessness

Pioneer Woman writes "Researchers at Hebrew University in Jerusalem have found a link between a gene called AVPR1a and ruthless behavior. These findings come from an economic exercise called the 'Dictator Game' that allows players to behave selflessly, or like national dictators and 'little Hitlers' found in workplaces the world over. The team decided to look at AVPR1a because it is known to produce receptors in the brain that detect vasopressin, a hormone involved in 'prosocial' behavior. Researchers tested DNA samples from more than 200 student volunteers, before asking the students to play the game that measured their altruism. There was no connection between the participants' gender and their behavior but there was a link to the length of the AVPR1a gene."

Comments

Does this mean

[EEPROMS]

they have isolated the bastard aka SOB gene ?

Re:Does this mean

[cp.tar]

BOsFH are not born.

They are spawned from the depths of Usenet. Which is kind of like Hell, only the flames last longer.

hmm

[Sigvatr]

Better title: Jewish Scientists Have Explanation For Hitler

Re:hmm

[ChromeAeonium]

And all this time I though it was the mustache.

Re:hmm

[chuckymonkey]

Wow, even the summary pulled a Godwin.

Can I have some?

[Rinisari]

Can I have it infused into my DNA? I have too much ruth.

Re:Can I have some?

[Anonymous Coward]

Look, if you want to get rid of me, just say so.

Ruth

Re:Can I have some?

[cp.tar]

Dear Ruth,
"too much ruth" meant "Ruth, you're too fat."
Lose a couple hundred pounds and we'll talk.

Don't worry about that gene

[CrazyJim1]

We'll get around to 'fixing' people's 'bad' genes.

Re:Don't worry about that gene

[Carthag]

We'll get around to 'fixing' people's 'bad' genes. That's a pretty ruthless thing to say!

The gene name...

[espergreen]

The Ayn Rand gene?

Godwin'd

[Rebelgecko]

Sheesh, Godwin's law came into play before I even finished reading the summary.

Re:Everything now is a disease

[MillionthMonkey]

What ever happened to personal responsibility? just about every vice in our society now is handled by psychologists instead of jail guards.

This from someone who lives in a country home to the world's worst health care system and highest incarceration rates.

Yes and mine is bigger than yours.

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes and mine is bigger than yours.

Re:When I'm gaming I'm different

[evwah]

I'm trying to imagine a situation that would demand the wringing of a rabbit's neck. I mean I hate easter too, but DAMN

So once we find the gene for...

[bluemonq]

...chair throwing, we can understand how Steve Ballmer came to be!

Re:another personality trait?

[Anonymous Coward]

This is your cat. I do not appreciate the comment you made regarding my intellect. Comparing the genetic mental complexity of my species to the (relatively speaking) simple bowl of jelly between your ears is akin to comparing apples to tuna. Ooh, I love tuna.

I demand that you cease this inflammatory specieist rhetoric immediately, or I will be forced to take extreme measures. It certainly would be a shame if your car were to explode the next time you hit the ignition, if you catch my drift.

Signed,
Your cat

Now feed me you bipedal freak.

Re:When I'm gaming I'm different

[GaryOlson]

I'm trying to imagine a situation that would demand the wringing of a rabbit's neck.

Rabbit eats wife's herb garden. If I don't get the rabbit; I don't get any bunny action either.

Re: tell it right!

[Anonymous Coward]

Parent wrote:

One special forces person I knew a while ago shot up some real people, laid some landmines then later that day rolled his car swerving to miss a small animal on the road.

If you're going to tell it, tell it right: I shot up some small animals, laid some real people, and then I swerved to miss some land mines. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it -- especially since the incident in question occurred in Kansas.