Stefánsson, 73, a neurologist and philosopher, believes that the complex mixture of DNA we inherited from our parents About 70 naturally occurring genetic mutations What we acquire by accident unconsciously determines our behavior to a much greater extent than we realize.
You may not realize it, but many of the mundane aspects of our daily lives seem to be driven in part by our genome. Whether you prefer coffee or tea is determined by subtle genetic tweaks in your taste receptors. it turns out Coffee lovers are less sensitive to the bitter taste of caffeine, while tea lovers perceive other types of bitter-tasting chemicals less strongly.
Genetics also play a role when it comes to our propensity or aversion to all kinds of different activities. how much do you enjoy exercise, and whether you like More solitary physical activities, such as running or competing with others as part of a team sport. But our DNA can also be channeled into more specific leisure pursuits.
fifteen years ago, Survey of 2,000 UK adults I originally suggested that there might be something like hobby gene. Just looking at a person’s family tree and their ancestors’ preferred pastimes suggested a strong propensity for certain types of activities. Survey participants were often surprised to discover that they actually came from a long line of amateur gardeners, stamp collectors, or cake makers.
In the decade that followed, many people around the world referred to the study after discovering that their parents’ and grandparents’ favorite pastimes suddenly had an inexplicable fascination in adulthood.of medium blogMichael Woronko, an insurance worker in Ottawa, Canada, wrote: I used to sprout peppers and such, but when the opportunity presented itself (as an adult), something deep inside me popped out and I ran with it.
Large-scale genome sequencing studies are beginning to explain why. Stefánsson explains how a deCODE scientist discovered the one specific genetic variant that determines whether a crossword puzzle will interest you. “Having it will make you want to solve crossword puzzles, but it doesn’t affect how good you are at it,” he laughs.
This is also true when it comes to the complex question of how our genes determine the course of our lives.
From Boston Shenzhenvarious technology start-ups, the so-called talent Genes, innate natural strengths or genetic mutations that may confer unique language abilities, allow a person to be directed to areas where they can best serve.
But doing so is not as easy as it sounds. Geneticists at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, recently tried Delineate the relationship between a gene called ROBO1, which controls gray matter development in the part of the brain involved in number expression, and children’s mathematical ability. So far, however, genetics seems to be only a relatively small part of the equation in all talents, be it computational ability, musical ability, or athletic ability.
Instead, as Stefansson discovered in his crossword, our genes seem to influence our natural tendency to perform certain activities. It is factors such as whether we receive tutoring and other opportunities at an early age, and our own willingness to practice, improve, and persist.
The latter shows that genetics can have the greatest impact on our life trajectories – personality traits. According to Danielle Dick, professor of psychiatry at Rutgers University in New Jersey and author of the book The Child Code, most dimensions of personality are how extroverted introverted, Honest, agreement, Impulsiveand probably how creative We have some kind of genetic component.
“This reflects the fact that our genes influence the way our brain is formed, which in turn influences how we think and how we interact with the world,” says Dick. They are more likely to seek exciting or novel experiences, have brains that are more likely to take risks, or gravitate towards more immediate rewards.”
All these characteristics have their advantages. Entrepreneurs, CEOs, fighter pilots, and athletes who participate in extreme sports are naturally prone to taking risks. However, having this genetic background also comes with certain costs.the risk taker more likely to develop addictionStefansson’s study found that the proportion of people with genetics that would otherwise promote creative thinking was actually develop schizophreniaWhile naturally impulsive people may be better decision makers and willing to seize opportunities they would otherwise miss, they can also be vulnerable. Development of gambling addiction, drop out of school again get fired from a job.