Understanding the Role of Genes in Behavior

Re “Gene Is a Factor in Hyperactivity, Researchers Say,” May 1:

In spite of careful reporting, some persons may come away with the idea that there is a causal relationship, or commonly put, a gene for ADD. While each month brings the announcement of a new gene linked to a specific behavior, it also becomes clearer that these behaviors are strongly modified by culture, environment and chance, to use the terms that geneticist David Suzuki uses.

This can be seen in an example in which an individual carries a gene linked to alcoholism, but living in a culture that does not use alcohol, might acquire another behavior, or by carrying other modifying genes or being subject to different external influences, might not be affected in any related way.

This is another exciting discovery in what I believe will come to be seen as the human genetics epoch. The Human Genome Project is now well underway and promises that, within this next decade, we will have the technical ability to examine all human genes. Examining and understanding the role of such genes will be a challenge that will touch us all.

DONALD P. NIERLICH

Professor, Dept. of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA

* Re “New Insight Into Hyperactivity,” editorial, May 2:

As someone who works with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and otherwise disturbed adolescent boys in residential treatment, a few comments please:

* The classification of ADHD as a disease or psychiatric disorder is questionable. As these kids tend to be super-alert, super-active and super-emotional (and sometimes aggressive), it may be a genetic adaptation to help humans survive in the work of hunting-gathering-fighting, something our ancestors all did not very long ago. That it is not adaptive in a “sit-down-and-be-quiet” society does not make it a disease. It is, however, something that the individual needs to learn to live with and utilize successfully in today’s world.

* Medication for ADHD never seems a clear-cut choice. As my job is to do day-by-day ongoing evaluation, taking a child off of a drug is frequently the best choice.

* The editorial mention of Ritalin only demonstrates the success of Ciba-Geigy’s marketing strategy. There are many psycho-stimulant and other medications which are useful in the treatment of this condition.

I, too, have been a hyperactive kid for over 60 years. There was no diagnosis and no medications when I was growing up. Guess I lucked out.

BERT ANDERSON

Redlands