New York Times says behavior is genetic

It's very suprising to see the New York Times so strongly explaining the link between genes and behavior. But the NY Times informs us that the following are influenced by genetics:

Risk taking
Body weight
Addiction to cigarettes
Dance ability
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Attention deficit disorder
Sexual desire
Anorexia
Homosexuality

I am certain that I am on to something with my theory on the link between guilt, politics, and genes. If only someone would properly research it.

Comments

[The Superfluous Man]

"If a trait like being overweight comes to be seen as largely the result of genetic influence rather than lack of discipline, the social stigma connected to it could dissipate, for instance. Or fat people could start being viewed as genetically inferior. "
Regarding sexual appeal, most people (men, at least) will carry on as they do now, considering fat ugly and (given enough) disgusting. Big Bertha is not any hotter now that I know it's not her fault. The moralizing about morbid obesity should decline.

Is there treatment available to permanently change one's genes?

[Nancy Spungen, Esq.]

So, fat poor guys could argue that hot liberal chicks should sleep with them as part of a non-discrimination policy for the genetically disabled. No, don't see it happening.

[RogueLefty]

"I am certain that I am on to something with my theory on the link between guilt, politics, and genes. If only someone would properly research it."

There's been research on political heritability, I think. The real question si guilt and politics.

Let's use the GSS!

I think the best one is ASHAMED, which measures how often you've felt ashamed lately. (I suppose guilt over not opening the door for that old lady could be different from sociological guilt, but what else do we have?)

And the correlation between feeling ASHAMED and PARTYID (higher is more Republican) is...a gigantic r=-.02. Throwing out 'other' only gets us up to -.04.

You know, I could have sworn liberals were more guilty. Anyone else want to try?