Have you ever known someone who was the type to take everything and give nothing back? Wish you were able to change that? It might not be too much of an imagination stretch to think you can.
Researchers centered at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified a gene linked to altruism, or generosity. Through a simple study in which the participants were provided money and either gave this money to others or kept it to themselves. Those that were more generous were generally identified with having a differing AVPR1a gene to those that were less giving. The gene codes for the production of the receptor molecule for the hormone, arginine vasopressin, and it was seen that the length of the promoter section of the gene influenced the activity of the receptor. Those with longer promoter regions were 50% more likely to give away the money.
Similar to dopamine in function, it seems that vasopressin creates a rewarding feeling when helping others. The brain then recognizes this as beneficial behaviour and learns to do these generous acts more often.
The research team believes this is of huge importance to the evolution of humans. This generosity has been linked to effective teamwork and social success, as those that are more generous and helpful are considered more useful to the community. It is believed that the gene came to be when early humans were still hunter-gatherers and began working together to achieve greater results.
Further research into the subject may continue to yield interesting results. It could certainly be the main reason for the dominance of humans on Earth.
You can find more information here: http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/071028_altruism-gene.htm
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References:
Knafo, S. Israel, A. Darvasi, R. Bachner-Melman, F. Uzefovsky, L. Cohen, E. Feldman, E. Lerer, E. Laiba, Y. Raz, L. Nemanov, I. Gritsenko, C. Dina, G. Agam, B. Dean, G. Bornstein, R.P. Ebstein, 2007. Individual differences in allocation of funds in the dictator game associated with length of the arginine vasopressin 1a receptor RS3 promoter region and correlation between RS3 length and hippocampal mRNA.
R. Bachner-Melman, I. Gritsenko, L. Nemanov, A.H. Zohar, C. Dina, R.P. Ebstein, 2005. Dopaminergic polymorphisms associated with self-report measures of human altruism: a fresh phenotype for the dopamine D4 receptor. Mol. Psychiatry 10, 333-5.
