It’s All in the Genes

Have you ever felt that you were more caring and sensitive than the average bear?  Well, here is more fodder for the debate on nature versus nurture. Researchers looked at three combinations of gene variations of the oxytocin receptor.  This hormone is thought to be related to feeling connected and loving. When released in the bloodstream, it promotes bonding, tending, and romantic love (among others).  Those with with two copies of the “G allele” gene were found to be most accurate on other’s emotions.  In contrast, those with either one copy or none (“AG” or “AA,” respectively) were less able to put themselves in others’ shoes and more likely to get overwhelmed in stressful tests.

Sarina Rodrigues, an assistant professor of psychology at Oregon State University, and Laura Saslow, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, published their findings in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).  The study consisted of 200 young men and women from several ethnicities who provided DNA saliva samples and underwent testing that checked the levels of empathy and ability to read emotions in eye expressions.  Those with the GG allele variation were far better at reading eye expressions than their counterparts. These results also point to the importance of oxytocin in countering stress.  Participants were subjected to loud blasts of noise (a reactivity test) and those with the GG variation had lower heart rates during that time.

Of course, one usually doesn’t know their own genetic code, so, dear reader, if you suspect that you aren’t of the exceptionally empathetic variety, the researchers say don’t despair.  Rodrigues tested herself and found that she was not of the GG allele variety, but still counts herself as caring and empathetic.  This is the one of the first studies that links the “cuddle” hormone with a lower heart rate in the face of stress.  It’s all about recognizing the importance of staying socially connected–both for your friendships and your stress level.

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Blog adapted from the UC Berkeley Press Release