Dictated by their DNA

Here's what's wrong with Robert Mugabe. His AVPR1a is too long.

Brace yourself for a new wave of scientific work linking genes with behaviour. Nature brings a cracking example with research suggesting that the behaviour of the world's most reprehensible despots is derived from their genetic code.

Richard Ebstein and his colleagues at Hebrew University think they have identified a 'Ruthlessness Gene'.

The researchers are not certain of the precise way the gene AVPR1a works. However they believe its length may may change the extent to which a subject feels rewarded by the act of giving.

It was a bit of a stretch, I thought, for them to link the kind of child who refuses to share their hula-hoops at lunch to the most infamous figures of the 20th Century. But fascinating stuff, nonetheless.

Comments

[Jez W]

Er, like in Mugabe's case a 'Marxist Dictator' gene?

Or in Western governments case when analysing this chappy's behavioural (gene?) problems, a 'skin crawlingly gullible cowardly hypocritical' gene is prevalent maybe?