Most people have a normal DRD4 gene, but some have a variant called DRD4-7R. Uh-oh. 7R has been associated with ADHD, alcoholism, and violence. It’s a “bad” gene. Yet researcher Ariel Knafo did a study to see which kids would share candy without being asked. Most three-year-olds are not about to give up tasty treats if they don’t have to, but the kids who had the 7R gene were more likely to. Why were the kids with this “bad” gene so inclined to help, even when they weren’t asked? Because 7R isn’t “bad.” Like that knife, it’s reliant on context. 7R kids who were raised in rough environments,
...more
