Alcoholism

[Shell B]

I'm on a 10 week research programme, trying to track the growth of pandemics (y'know, those illnesses than can kill entire civilisations) by using mobile phones to see how people move and spread viruses.

When you mentioned cell phones, I though "boring." However, I am now fascinated.

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It may or may not be the case that some people have a genetic predisposition to engage in addictive behaviours.

Frankly, I don't see that this matters a great deal.

Whether or not someone becomes an addict is the result of their own choices. Whether or not an addict ceases to be an addict is also the result of their choices.

This is true regardless of whether or not they had a genetic predisposition to addiction. If they have such a predisposition, then their substance use might get them addicted quicker. They might also find it more difficult to withdraw, and more easily slip into relapse. But none of this changes the fact that at every point they are making decisions, for which they alone are responsible.

That says it all.

I don't want to make any absolute statements on this topic because it would appear that people are more likely to become alcoholics when it "runs in their family." That being said, it could very well be a nurture thing. I'm not quite sure. As far as it being a disease, it could be, if you look at the word from a different angle. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/disease

Geneticists are having a bitch of a time finding all kinds of genetic predispositions. I have no idea what they will find in the future. So, again, I intend to steer clear of any absolute statements on the subject. I do hope that if they find a gene that is responsible for it, people who may have it will abstain.

So people who are pre-disposed to run people over should be perfectly safe to drive cars because, after all, they make the choice to run someone over or not right?

hock: Um, wut?