Are we humans simply remodelled apes? Chimps with a tweak? Is the difference between our genomes so minuscule it justifies the argument that our cognition and behaviour must also differ from chimps by barely a whisker? If “chimps are us” should we grant them human rights? Or is this one of the biggest fallacies in the study of evolution? NOT A CHIMP argues that these similarities have been grossly over-exaggerated - we should keep chimps at arm’s length. Are humans cognitively unique after all?
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
The Oxytocin Receptor and Human Altruism
In "Not A Chimp" I explain how vasopressin, specifically the activity of variants of the vasopressin receptor gene in the brain, relate to monogamy, pair-bonding, social affiliation and altruism. Now the same research group involved in the vasopressin-altruism research, led by Richard Ebstein of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, have extended their work, using the Dictator Game as a proxy for altruism, to the other half of the "cuddle" hormone duo - oxytocin. How generous you are to your partner on the game relates to whether you are prosocial, proself, or ruthlessly selfish. They discovered a number of polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene that were strongly associated with prosocial, altruistic behaviour. This list of gene variants strongly associated with human variation for different aspects of social behaviour is growing all the time!
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