Issues and Strategies in the Genetic Analysis of Alcoholism and Related Addictive Behaviors

Abstract

Research into the genetics of alcoholism susceptibility and related behaviors has become highly contentious for a number of reasons: at issue is the identification of factors that may ultimately determine human behaviors, the limitations of the technologies being used to conduct relevant studies have not been assessed exhaustively, and independent studies have produced widely different results. Addressing these and other questions of relevance in the dissection of the genetic basis of alcoholism susceptibility will be nothing if not difficult. In this article, we consider issues related to one not-so-minor research angle being used more and more in investigations of alcoholism and related disorders: the identification of susceptibility loci through the use of anonymous (or seemingly anonymous) DNA markers. We also consider issues that might promote (or resist) the reconcilability of independent study results, and describe some basic strategies that might help make study results more compelling in light of the complexity of alcoholism and related behaviors.