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Sensitivity and compassion of a person are determined by genes
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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A new study of scientists from the University of California (USA) suggests that a person can recognize a stranger's genetic propensity for qualities such as kindness, compassion and reliability in just 20 seconds.
"It's interesting that completely unfamiliar people could recognize those who are reliable, kind and compassionate in just 20 seconds, only looking and listening to the person sitting in the armchair," said Alexander Kogan, the lead author of the study.
The study involved two dozen pairs, who previously provided their DNA samples. Then the researchers recorded on the video the stories of couples about the hard cases in their life.
A separate group of observers who did not know the pairs were shown 20-second clips. They were asked to evaluate and recognize which of the captured people turned out to be the most reliable, kind and compassionate, based only on their facial expressions and gestures.
People who received the highest ratings for sympathy, as it turned out, had a special variant of the oxytocin receptor gene, known as the GG genotype.
"We found that people who have two copies of the" allele G "showed more credible behavior that manifested itself in a greater nod of the head, greater eye contact, a frequent smile, a more open body position, and it was this behavior that signaled the kindness of the stranger." - said Kogan
This study is based on previous work of the University of California at Berkeley on the genetic predisposition of a person to empathy (empathy with the current emotional state of another person) and was based on an analysis of three combinations of gene variations of oxytocin receptors: AA, AG and GG.
It was previously established that the presence of two copies of the "allele G" to a certain extent determines the level of responsiveness and sensitivity of a person. Unlike people who have groups of AA and AG alleles, which are less capable of empathy. Even earlier, scientists have proved that the "hormone of sex" prevents the development of cancer.
The hormone oxytocin is known as the hormone of "strong embraces," or "love" stands out in the bloodstream and the brain, in addition to basic functions, promotes social interaction, and romantic love.
Kogan noted that people with a combination of AA or AG, do not say that the person will necessarily be callous.
"The kindness and sociality of a person is a combination of numerous genetic and non-genetic factors.No one gene that would be 100% responsible for these qualities.There are many factors that pull a person in one direction or another and the oxytocin receptor gene is one of them" , - said Kogan.
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