Dopaminergic polymorphisms associated with self-report measures of human altruism: a fresh phenotype for the dopamine D4 receptor

Abstract

Human altruism is a puzzling behavior that benefits others but reduces one’s own fitness. This study sought to identify genetic factors that may contribute to altruism. The authors collected data from 354 nonclinical families on altruism scores, as well as genotypes for two dopaminergic genes and an insulin-like growth factor 2 gene. They found significant associations between altruism scores and certain variants of the dopamine D4 receptor, insulin-like growth factor 2, and dopamine D5 genes. This suggests that these genes may play a role in altruistic behavior, and implies that altruism may have a genetic basis. – AI-generated abstract.