Genghis Khan responsible for Russians' alcoholism?

[Petyr Baelish]

Polymorphism of Alcohol Dehydrogenase Gene ADH1B
in Eastern Slavic and Iranian-Speaking Populations

S. A. Borinskaya1, F. Gasemianrodsari1, N. R. Kalyina1,
M. V. Sokolova1, 2, and N. K. Yankovsky1

1 Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991 Russia;
fax: (095)132-89-62; e-mail: borinskaya@vigg.ru
2 Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Department of Genetics, Moscow, 119899 Russia;
e-mail: adm@adm.bio.msu.ru

Received May 26, 2005

Abstract—Frequencies of alleles and genotypes for alcohol dehydrogenase gene ADH1B (arg47his polymor-
phism), associated with alcohol tolerance/sensitivity, were determined. It was demonstrated that the frequency
of allele ADH1B*47his, corresponding to atypical alcohol dehydrogenase variant in Russians, Ukrainians, Ira-
nians, and mountain-dwellers of the Pamirs constituted 3, 7, 24, and 22%, respectively. The frequencies estab-
lished were consistent with the allele frequency distribution pattern among the populations of Eurasia. Russians
and Ukrainians were indistinguishable from other European populations relative to the frequency of allele
ADH1B*47his, and consequently, relative to specific features of ethanol metabolic pathways. The data obtained
provide refinement of the geographic pattern of ADH1B*47his frequency distribution in Eurasia.

[Milesian]

Who is responsible for a tendency to take Ecstasy, more to the point? :)

[Petyr Baelish]

Who is responsible for a tendency to take Ecstasy, more to the point? :)


Unlike alcohol, ecstasy is not physically addictive, nor is there any genetic predisposition towards addiction to ecstasy (seeing as none such exists), therefore, the answer to your question would be that individuals are responsible for whatever "tendency" they may have towards consumption of ecstasy. Comparing alcohol to a substance that's been called "penicilin for the soul" is near blasphemy, in my opinion.

[Felix the Cat]

Brewing was invented in the Middle East, and the further a nation lives from that region the less tolerance they seem to have for alcohol