At least half a dozen genes uncovered by scientists could predispose a person to alcoholism or drug addiction, or protect him from going down those roads, an expert said in a published report on Thursday. Identifying small genetic differences could also pave the way to finding a cure for these afflictions, Professor Jay Tischfield of Rutgers University in New Jersey, told The Straits Times. More than 700 scientists are in Singapore for a four-day gathering examining the impact that genomics has on the understanding of the human condition and disease. "Nobody's suggesting that we're not responsible for what we do," Tischfield was quoted as saying. "With proper support, motivation and will-power, most people can stop drinking," he said. "It may just be easier for some to do so." Eighty experts are sharing their expertise at the Human Genome Organization Pacific Meeting and Asia Pacific Conference on Human Genetics. Tischfield said a breakthrough in learning about genetic differences in various groups of alcoholics could determine treatment regimes within the next decade. Alcoholism is second only to smoking as a public help problem. An eight-university consortium in the United States is studying thousands of alcoholics and their families. It is looking at common genetic links, said Tischfield, who is a member of the consortium. The study has helped identify a number of genes which seem to play a role in alcoholism, and genetic variations which predispose individuals to it, he said.
