Evidence for a Genetic Factor in Alcoholism - Essay Example

Evidence for a Genetic Factor in Alcoholism School Affiliation: Genetic Factor in Alcoholism Alcohol is one the drugs that highly abused by many people in the world with some consuming almost on daily basis. While various theories have been developed in a bid to prove alcohol as a personal, researchers have recently attributed alcohol consumption to genetics. There are some individuals whose genes predominantly possess alcohol risk. However, these assertions have not been embraced by everyone. In fact, there is a raging debate as to whether genes have anything to do with alcohol. The advocates of evidence on genes state that it is not obvious that one whose genes suggest a likelihood of alcohol consumption does not necessarily mean the person will be a drunkard. The purpose of this paper is assert that there is indeed evidence that there is a genetic factor in alcoholism Genes play a role in determining the alcoholism of a person and current as well as previous evidence seem to stamp this fact. Edenberg (2011) reported that families where the parents engaged in alcoholism, the children followed suit in the future. While the other side, which does not believe in a connection of alcoholism with family members, has fervently opposed this claim it is a fact proved through data. It was discovered that children where alcoholism is rife, at least 35% engage in it later in life. Again, it is imperative to understand some family members’ decision to engage in alcoholism in the presence of the children may also lead to the influence. This is point the other side of this debate holds onto claiming that the only way children could learn from the parents. Approaching the topic on genetic evidence would save more lives that plain argument would. The group that vehemently opposes the evidence of genetic evidence claims that it is not sufficient and gives a case of twins where it is claimed both ought to be drunkard. As the debate ranges on without any assistance offered, lives are lost due to lack of objectivity. For instance, in 1988 there was an accident involving a pickup and a school bus where the pickup driver was drunkard. Shockingly, the driver had earlier been arrested for an offence of driving while drunk. Sadly, the accident claimed over twenty school-going children in a case that has remained a historic event. Now, had this driver tested for genetic to examine if there were alcohol risk, there is a chance this accident would have been avoided. Whereas not everyone in a family consumes or abuses alcohol, there is normally one or more engaging in it. One of the things the opponents of this assertion have not been able to conclusively explain is the reason one member of a family is involved in alcoholism whereas the rest are not. Worth noting here is that just because one does not consume or abuse alcohol does not mean the person has no alcoholism risk. Many times, there are people with these genes oblivious of the existence. The mistake the other group makes is the assumption that because one is not consuming alcohol there is no existence of genes of alcoholism. Later in life, especially when pressure becomes unbearable, the person may abuse alcohol. For instance, if a person with risk of alcoholism loses their job, there is a chance of alcohol abuse. There is ample data reflecting the assertions made in this paper but the same cannot be said of the individuals on the other side. For instance, Goodwin (1979) discovered that “An estimated 20-25% of sons of alcoholics become alcoholic and about 5% of the daughters” (p.10). Now, judging from these figures, there is a likelihood that the genes will be passed on to the other generation. Consequently, the alcohol consumption will thrive without many people establishing the real cause Focusing on the solution is more important than mere opposition, which is not based on hard evidence, as this will give the future generation a hope. Having demonstrated the statistics of the number of people who become alcoholics, it is vital that a solution is found end this menace. If 20-25% of sons whose parents are alcoholics will end up following similar steps, it is indeed important change the tone of the talk and focus more on the solution. For this to happen, the statistics provided have to be used as the true data on the ground, if not worse. This way, there will be an assurance of having a generation where alcohol consumption is controlled. In the 70s, studies conducted in Denmark, Sweden and United States showed that children whose parents engaged in alcohol were still vulnerable even when raised by non-alcoholic (Goodwin, 1979). Ironically, the possibility of these children engaging alcoholism in the future was similar to those raised by alcoholic parents. Therefore, this fact shows that the notion held by the opponent of this debate is invalid and is not backed by strong evidence. Children who have inherited these alcohol-related genes will still be involved in the trend unless measures are taken to prevent these issues. As to what exactly is inherited concerning alcoholism, it is a discovery yet to be made but the current stats show that genes are inherited. The people opposed to the notion of hereditary alcoholism understandably argue that since genes are inherited by all the siblings of an alcoholic parent, it means all of them ought to be alcoholics. However, this is not scientifically true because it is not every child who inherits everything from both parents. In other words, there is a possibility of one child engaging in alcoholism while the other does not. It is imperative to state, at this point, that there has been no scientific explanation on exactly what a child inherits that leads to this trend (Goodwin 1979). Interestingly, Goodwin (1979) reported that studies carried out in various places indicated that children raised by alcoholic parents did not necessarily suffer from other psychiatric disorders. Contrary to what it was earlier propagated; it is not alcohol that causes psychiatric diseases later in the future of children whose parents do consumed alcohol. Nonetheless, it is vital to appreciate that if alcohol consumption leads to violence at home in the presence of a child, this would have adverse psychological effects on the child. This should not be mistake to mean that the psychiatric effects suffered by the child were direct implications of alcohol. Twins could also become alcoholics in the future and this is because there is a sharing of genes. According to Goodwin (1979) twins’ level of gene, sharing determines largely the susceptibility of genetic illnesses. In other words, if twins have shared the genes in a rather balanced way, there is a probability that both will suffer same sicknesses. While this may seem irrelevant, the point here is that this sharing of genes could see both become alcoholics. This is because if the parents were both alcoholics, and the twins share the genes on a 50-50 basis, there is little chance that alcoholism will not be evident in their lives. It is imperative to remember the earlier statement stating that it is not always that twins will become drunkards. The point this section seeks to clarify is that twins could end up becoming drunkards even though it was earlier noted that discrepancies exist. Now, picture the reality that twins could end up becoming alcoholics, children from alcoholic family background could follow a similar route despite being raised by non-alcoholic parents. Moreover, the fact that parents who do not engage in alcohol but the adopted children have chances of engaging in this habit leaves the situation rather helpless. Therefore, there is need for the debate on whether genes have a contributory factor to alcoholism to cease. This is because this paper has exhaustively proved beyond reasonable doubt in an affirmative way. Notwithstanding this opinion, if the group opposed to this idea have facts, which prove this to the contrary, then it is important to make them available. However, since the inception of this idea, there has not been much evidence to proof an error of this notion. Instead, the opponents have failed to proof scientifically that this is very possible. Conversely, the other side proposing it has relentlessly provided samples, studies and verifiable facts about this. It was earlier noted that genetic factor in alcoholism is present irrespective of a child’s gender which then implies that there could be a continued trend. The 5% of the females who engaged in alcoholism signal a dangerous occurrence in the sense that if they met an alcoholic male the trend will just spread (Good, 1979). Consequently, the number of people drinking will increase and keep increasing due to lack of focusing on the problem and solution. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, it is vital that respective parties adopt this report and start focusing the best way to identify these genes. There is no scientific proof to show the claims of genetic factor on alcoholism thus rendering assertions invalid. It is the statement the opponents have heavily relied on when standing adamantly their ground. However, the absolute truth is that the proponents of this idea have more that scientific proof evidenced by the physical studies carried out. Actually, the reason scientific evidence lacks is because there has been no equipment to determine the genes likely to be alcoholic-prone. This should never be interpreted to mean that the physical data collected is manipulated; in fact, the methodology used left no room for such actions. In conclusion, there is a genetic factor in alcoholism not necessarily, because the idea has been held since time memorial but rather judging from the evidence provided. Parents who do not engage in alcohol but are foster parents for children with alcoholic backgrounds can do little, if any, to help them. Having proved that a bigger number of male children from alcoholic family will most likely involve in similar behavior it is vital to assess the situation once more. Twins do share a great deal of genes and if the sharing occurs in equal measure, there could be a continuation of an alcoholic generation. Since the opponents of this idea have failed to provide data to prove these assertions wrong, it can only be concluded that genetic factors plays a significant role in alcoholism. References Edenberg, H. (2011, January 1). The Genetics of Alcoholism: A Review of the Evidence and Ethical Implications. Retrieved November 5, 2014, from pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/. Goodwin, D. (1979). Controversies in the Addiction Field. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University. Read More