British genetically 'programmed' to be grumpy - report -- Health & Wellness -- Sott.net

According to research published on Thursday, Brits are more likely to be grumps because they possess a "short form" version of a gene that produces serotonin - the neurochemical which controls happiness levels in the brain.

In contrast, the researchers at Warwick found that the Danes possessed the longer form of the gene, and are therefore more likely to be happy.

According to Professor Andrew Oswald, the economist and social scientist who led the research, happiness levels had little to do with wealth or material gains or good weather, as people who possessed the shorter length gene would still be more prone to unhappiness.

"Among the nations we studied, Denmark and the Netherlands appeared to have the lowest percentage of people with the short version of the serotonin gene," he told the Times.

However, Oswald said genetics was not the only factor which contributed to someone's overall level of happiness, noting that other factors, including health, lifestyle and a country's political climate also influenced chemical activity in the brain.

The report, produced for the Economic and Social Research Council's Festival of Social Sciences, comes as the British government is set to establish a new research institute designed to measure the impact of government policies on people's happiness levels.

The center, which has been developed to influence and design 'better policy,' will be led by former cabinet secretary, Lord O'Donell. Its launch comes as the Office of National Statistics begins publishing data on national wellbeing.

Among its stated aims, the center will also develop a different research methodology to measure the impact of policies such as public sector cuts, austerity and NHS reforms on wider society.

Reader Comments

glardu · 2014-10-31T13:31:55Z

The delicate balances in natural intelligence are surprising. Doesnt take much to alter the chemicals, and hence the way information is processed/stored. Sadly, when the human mind crashes it struggles to bring things back into a 'sort of order', which isnt orderly but usually psychotic. Natural intelligence actually requires good diet, and positive stimuli.

carefix · 2014-10-31T13:47:49Z

Grumpy

That explains much. I must be double recessive.

Or rather it doesn't. Sigh. But what id I expect?

snakedyke · 2014-10-31T14:43:17Z

Maybe

... as we affect our own genes, perhaps its the depressing life in England that that leads to us having a shortened gene ?

bbrebozo · 2014-10-31T17:45:26Z

British Grumpyness

Look, the Brits have sucky, cloudy weather most of the time, the Queen and super wealthy in London take all of the land and then charge way too much for rent and housing, they are probably hung over most days and are overweight to boot. Any wonder they are grumpy?

Ananda · 2014-11-01T16:34:21Z

Prediction

"the British government is set to establish a new research institute designed to measure the impact of government policies on people's happiness levels".

That will be closed down soon after the first results are announced.

eyesoftheworld · 2014-11-04T09:34:18Z

One statistic

I have read, from a variety of sources, is that whenever there are conservatives in power, the suicide rate goes way up. It goes down when liberals/progressives are in office. The cons kill hope and inquisitiveness. Things that make life fun.