That your neighbor is friendly or that he barely manages to answer you with a grunt when you pass him in the elevator may have a genetic condition. Researchers from the University of Buffalo and the University of California, in the United States, have identifiedvariants of the receptors of two hormones that push certain people to belovely and generous, as explained in an article published this month by the magazinePsychological Science.
Specifically, the researchers analyzed different versions of the receptors for two hormones – oxytocin or the love hormone, and vasopressin – that have previously been linked to kinder behaviors, especially in close relationships.
The scientists surveyed the civic attitudes of a number of volunteers, including whether they paid their taxes, felt that people were essentially good or bad, participated in charity events, or donated blood. They then took a saliva sample to analyze its DNA and inquired whether it was related to a certain genetic variant for the oxytocin and vasopressin receptors on their neurons. Thus they confirmed that, in effect,there are genes whose presence predisposes to human generosity and to “perceive the world as a less hostile place”, explains Michel Poulin, co-author of the research. In fact, people who sense too much hostility around them are less likely to help others. “The connections between DNA and our behavior are complex”, clarifies Poulin, who is convinced that there will be many other genes that determine whether or not we are kind to our fellow human beings.
