The God Gene

The Telegraph has an interesting article about the discovery of a gene purportedly responsible for spiritual belief. In an analysis of 2000 DNA samples, American molecular geneticist, Dr Dean Hamer (the guy who also discovered the discredited "gay gene"), concluded that people's stated ability to believe in a "higher spiritual force" or spiritual connection with the universe is down to greater levels of VMAT2 - "a vesicular monoamine transporter that regulates the flow of mood-altering chemicals in the brain". Social environment and heredity have less relevance, apparently.

Of course, as The New York Times points out (registration required), the genetic predisposition toward religious belief is not new. In the 1970s, sociologist Edward Wilson argued that such an inclination could have evolutionary advantages, and there are oft-sited studies that show that twins separated at birth have similar levels of spirituality and regular churchgoers live longer than non-regular churchgoers.

The major problem for scientists with Hamer's God Gene theory is that it hasn't been replicated and his analysis is largely speculative. Predictably, some in the religious establishment have also been up in arms over the research:

"The Rev Dr John Polkinghorne, a fellow of the Royal Society and a Canon Theologian at Liverpool Cathedral, said: 'The idea of a god gene goes against all my personal theological convictions. You can't cut faith down to the lowest common denominator of genetic survival. It shows the poverty of reductionist thinking.'"

Though such criticism overlooks the fact that Hamer's findings do not answer the question "Is there a God?" but rather "Why do we believe in God?", there is, of course, much to be sceptical about the theory. I'm fascinated, however, and am looking forward to more vigorous research into the biological basis for spiritual belief.

Related link:

+ The God gene: How faith is hardwired into our genes. The book by Dean Hamer.

Other links today:

+ Roll up, roll up, get your Gmail invites here

+ The tagging of life. Scientists are to establish a giant catalogue of life - to, in effect, "barcode" every species on Earth, from tiny plankton to the mighty blue whale.

+ Master tasking. When planning out your project, don't just map out the smaller tasks, getting side-tracked into the "trivial" steps, forgetting the overarching goal.

+ An architect's wet-cement dream, or building skyscrapers on the moon.