MF>* In a message dated 10-31-96, KURT ULLMAN said the following:
MF>       It's my understanding that scientists have not established a
MF>       genetic link for alcoholism (actually, I think they should be
MF>       looking for a link for _addiction_ not alcoholism), but it is
MF>       established that alcoholism and other addictions or just
MF>       addictive tendencies "run" in families.  (My brother and I are
MF>       alcoholics; my sister chose scizophrenia instead.)  This is easi
MF>       explained by family system theory, but it seems to be the
MF>       dominant theory that addictions are genetic.
	There is some fairly good (although preliminary)stuff coming out of 
the genetic project here at Indiana University that indicates alcoholics may 
process the alcohol differently metabolically. Now whether that translates 
into a genetic inheritance of the alcoholism is still up in the air.
MF>       No test has been established, but if alcoholism or addictions
MF>       in general "run" in your family, it's wise to monitor your use
MF>       of drugs to decide for yourself whether you're an addict.  If
MF>       you have sufficient worry about your behavior, but are not
MF>       sure, seek help in arriving at a diagnosis.
MF>       A couple of years ago it was bannered in headlines across the
MF>       world that scientists had found a genetic link for alcoholism,
MF>       but a few weeks later the same group repudiated their
MF>       announcement.
MF> -- SPEED 2.00 #2626: * One man's theology is another man's belly laugh
MF>===
MF> * KMail 3.00
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 * PW * I look like Al Capone but lack his compassion.
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