The Genetic Issue in Addiction, Essay Example

The genetic issue in addiction is said to be polygenic and multifactorial since addictions have been thought to be caused by two or more genes. The factors that render an individual predisposed to addiction are also influenced by among other things, environmental factors and genetic makeup; this makes it multifactorial.

Suzanne Somers and her siblings became alcohol addicts, following in their father’s footsteps. In the documentation of Rosa Lee’s life, six out of her eight children became addicted to hard drugs. Rosa Lee’s children seem to fall in the anti-sense regulated genes. Phillips et al (p108), states that there are some genes that encode a toxin or anti toxin onto their target while there are some that are anti-sense regulated.

In humans, the research done to establish a genetic connection is done using a pedigree chart. It starts with grandparents and lists all uncles and aunts, addicted and not addicted then goes from the parents of the subject to siblings and grandchildren and so forth. The pedigree data to establish a pattern of drug use through generations, this way, it can be clear whether addiction in the family follows a pattern.

Mice have been discovered to poses a reward pathway that functions the same way as man’s, they therefore aid the discovery of addiction genes. Researchers have discovered genes in mice that play role in addiction, for example, ‘mice bred to lack the serotonin receptor gene Htr1b are more attracted to cocaine and alcohol’(Phillips 10). The research done using mice has made it possible to produce more efficient medications for addicts, based on their genetic makeup.