Since the human genome was mapped, we have heard reams about the “bad driver” gene, fat gene, “friends” gene, gay gene, generosity gene, infidelity gene, and who knows what else. Mushroom compost is generally better, in UD News’ view.
Meanwhile, a friend remarked, irritated, that next thing she’d be hearing about was a pedophilia gene. No sooner asked than answered; someone told her about this news story from last year: In “Is There A Pedophilia Gene?” (LaStampa in English 03/11/2011), Marco Accossato reports,
Italian researchers discover possible genetic origins of pedophilia, making the sexually deviant behavior a potentially treatable condition. But is it an alibi for convicted pedophiles?
Wonder who that latter point would interest?
A study conducted by neuroscientists at Turin University and researchers at the department of neurological science of the University of Milan asserts that pedophilia is caused by a defective growth factor called pleiotropic protein Progranulin (PGRN).
The more we hear about some directions in genetics, the more we love epigenetics.
See also: Epigenetics to be to 21st century what genetics was to 20th century? But losing all the goofiness, we certainly hope.