Conservative? Liberal? Genetics may be the answer why.

[Eshlemon]

Political Views May Be Genetically Influenced, Twin Study Shows (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)


ScienceDaily (Feb. 6, 2008) — Research by Rice University professor of political science John Alford indicates that what is on one's mind about politics may be influenced by how people are wired genetically.

Alford, who has researched this topic for a number of years, and his team analyzed data from political opinions of more than 12,000 twins in the United States and supplemented it with findings from twins in Australia. Alford found that identical twins were more likely to agree on political issues than were fraternal twins.


Alford believes that political scientists are too quick to dismiss genetics; rather, he believes genetics should be studied and taught along with social-environment influences.

"It has been proven that genetics plays a role in a myriad of different human interaction and makeup," said Alford. "Why should we exclude political beliefs and attitudes?"

Finally putting "real" science into poltical science. Given the advances in genetics, someday the doctor might ask "Do you want a blue or red baby?".

[Dolphan7]

Is there a dumb gene, cause this guy just might have it.

[JT#1]

Is there a dumb gene, cause this guy just might have it.
well..technically there probably is

[late again]

Is there a dumb gene, cause this guy just might have it.

How about the Capt Obvious discovery that "An astounding 4/5 of identical twins shared the same opinion.......on the issue of property taxes".
....and maybe damn near everything else?

[Mike13]

"Cure AIDS?", "Nah, lets treat ED and determine if political affilations are somehow encoded in our genes"

[FINintheMOON]

Shouldn't this thread be in the Political Forum?

[finswin56]

Shouldn't this thread be in the Political Forum?So far it's okay here. The initial subject is science in nature. Hopefully, it stays that way.

[Mbs3009]

I don't buy it. Both of my parents were New Deal Democrats, and I came out about as right wing as you could be.

[FINintheMOON]

So far it's okay here. The initial subject is science in nature. Hopefully, it stays that way.

So do I but based on the last posts... It is taking a turn for the worse...:boohoo:

[Dolphin39]

I don't buy it. Both of my parents were New Deal Democrats, and I came out about as right wing as you could be.

You're one of the lucky ones! Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :up:

[DolFan31]

I concur that genes dont really tell the whole story. My grandmother was a big influence on me, she was a tow-the-party-line Democrat, as is her daughter, my aunt. But, my grandfather(one she was once married to) is a staunch conservative, as is her brother. My parents were apolitical, but I would say they would be moderate. My grandmother on my moms side is pretty old school, southern(pro-segregationist) conservative Republican(who plans on voting for Hillary, actually). I would say my family is made up of what we would consider today to be conservative democrats and liberal republicans(all my conservative relatives are actually anti-religion).

I describe myself as a liberal-socialist-democrat, probably the most left-leaning member of my family.