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Bluelighter
Though I would never be so facile as to identify any single gene with an overarching human trait (let alone such a behaviorally complex trait as spirituality) I do find the apparent association between the expression of the VMAT2 gene (see 
) and the incidence of religiosity to be of some interest. While it may not point to anything remotely close to a 'God gene,' the literature does stimulate what has, until recently, been a purely speculative area of research - neurospirituality. The formal study of this topic is relatively new, which is somewhat surprising, considering humanity's longstanding attraction to psychedelics, entheogens, and the like. The only current literature of which I'm aware is the aforementioned VMAT2 studies and (depending upon your definition of spirituality) the psilocybin trials in JAMA. I'd love to know if anyone has come across anything new or exciting in this subfield, and would enjoy hearing your thoughts upon the topic either way.
What do you think will ultimately become of religion/spirituality when it, like so many other forms of human behavior, is extensively biologized, pathologized, and subjected to experimental scrutiny to the point where each of its mechanisms could be explained in sufficient enough detail that the prospect of 'modifications' and 'cures' would no longer be as close to science fiction as many would prefer? I am aware that this ties heavily into the ongoing debate over a putative neuroethics of the not-so-distant future, but I see neurospirituality as offering a nuance not contained by the former topic, namely the unmatched importance of spiritual ideology to human life, history, and culture.
Here is a link to a deeply disturbing video that was supposedly taken during a DOD conference of sorts, during which just such a 'cure' was (poorly, unethically, and haphazardly) proposed. I'm not sure how legit this footage may be, but it serves to effectively underscore the topic regardless.
[a.k.a. SLC18A2, this gene encodes the vesicular monoamine transporter subtype 2, a kind of protein vacuum responsible for sucking up monoamines like serotonin and noradrenaline into synaptic vesicles in the CNS.]
Also, mod(s), feel free to move this wherever you see fit - perhaps ADD is a more appropriate destination for discussing the implications of neuropsychological literature than here.
) and the incidence of religiosity to be of some interest. While it may not point to anything remotely close to a 'God gene,' the literature does stimulate what has, until recently, been a purely speculative area of research - neurospirituality. The formal study of this topic is relatively new, which is somewhat surprising, considering humanity's longstanding attraction to psychedelics, entheogens, and the like. The only current literature of which I'm aware is the aforementioned VMAT2 studies and (depending upon your definition of spirituality) the psilocybin trials in JAMA. I'd love to know if anyone has come across anything new or exciting in this subfield, and would enjoy hearing your thoughts upon the topic either way.What do you think will ultimately become of religion/spirituality when it, like so many other forms of human behavior, is extensively biologized, pathologized, and subjected to experimental scrutiny to the point where each of its mechanisms could be explained in sufficient enough detail that the prospect of 'modifications' and 'cures' would no longer be as close to science fiction as many would prefer? I am aware that this ties heavily into the ongoing debate over a putative neuroethics of the not-so-distant future, but I see neurospirituality as offering a nuance not contained by the former topic, namely the unmatched importance of spiritual ideology to human life, history, and culture.
Here is a link to a deeply disturbing video that was supposedly taken during a DOD conference of sorts, during which just such a 'cure' was (poorly, unethically, and haphazardly) proposed. I'm not sure how legit this footage may be, but it serves to effectively underscore the topic regardless.
[a.k.a. SLC18A2, this gene encodes the vesicular monoamine transporter subtype 2, a kind of protein vacuum responsible for sucking up monoamines like serotonin and noradrenaline into synaptic vesicles in the CNS.]Also, mod(s), feel free to move this wherever you see fit - perhaps ADD is a more appropriate destination for discussing the implications of neuropsychological literature than here.
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