Generous programming in genes?

Is it genetically generous? A team of researchers, including Dr. Ariel Knafo of the Department of Physics at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, believes that this may be a correct inference.

They conducted tests with 203 online players . Each player can choose to keep 12 dollars as specified, or split a part or all for another anonymous player.

By making a choice to divide money, researchers have found that people who choose to split a share or all of their genes have different amounts than those who do not share any money.

(Artwork: iStockphoto) Participants provided their AND patterns to be analyzed and compared with their actions. As a result, people with certain gene variants called AVPR1 will average nearly 50% more money than people without this variant .

'Personally, the experiment provides the first evidence of the relationship between genetic variability and human generosity,' said Knafo. He conducted research with other colleagues, including RP Ebstein professor, professor Gary Bornstein, and Salomon Israel of Hebrew School of Physics in Jerusalem.

The gene AVPR1 encodes a vasopressin-producing hormone arginine that acts on brain cells. Vasopressin is also related to social relations. More generous players have the AVPR1 gene, called the control zone, longer than others. The control area allows the cell apparatus to attach to and determine the amount of gene products. In this case, the control area is longer, the level of action is also greater.

The results of the experiment help biologists to understand the evolutionary history of generosity. They found that a version of AVPR1 also exists in mice that belong to them, gnawing and promoting social ties. This shows that generosity has a long history of genetics and may be playing a new role in human evolution.

The results of the study are published online on Gen, Brain and Behavior research journals.