By Julian Joyce BBC News Activists sometimes say "politics is in my DNA" - but there may be more truth in that than they realise. Research now suggests some of our voting habits may be hard-wired into us from birth.
By Julian Joyce BBC News Activists sometimes say "politics is in my DNA" - but there may be more truth in that than they realise. Research now suggests some of our voting habits may be hard-wired into us from birth.
When Liberal Democrat MP Matthew Taylor set out to trace his birth parents at the age of 35, nothing prepared him for what he describes as a "stunning" discovery.
When Liberal Democrat MP Matthew Taylor set out to trace his birth parents at the age of 35, nothing prepared him for what he describes as a "stunning" discovery.
Along with the news that his biological mother was alive and well and living in New Zealand with a family of her own, came another revelation - that his great-grandfather had been, like himself, a Liberal MP.
Along with the news that his biological mother was alive and well and living in New Zealand with a family of her own, came another revelation - that his great-grandfather had been, like himself, a Liberal MP.
It made Mr Taylor, adopted as a newborn baby and now representing the Cornish constituency of Truro, reassess his beliefs on the eternal question of nature versus nurture.
It made Mr Taylor, adopted as a newborn baby and now representing the Cornish constituency of Truro, reassess his beliefs on the eternal question of nature versus nurture.
"The fact that I followed my great-grandfather into politics is surprising enough," he says. "But the fact that I chose the same sort of politics is more than just coincidence. The odds in favour of that happening by accident must be miniscule."
"The fact that I followed my great-grandfather into politics is surprising enough," he says. "But the fact that I chose the same sort of politics is more than just coincidence. The odds in favour of that happening by accident must be minuscule."
'Miniscule' odds
Nature v nurture
Mr Taylor says that in the past he always considered that an individual's politics were determined by their environment. But he now believes that he may have inherited some of his political views from his ancestor - the East End Liberal MP Sir Percy Harris.
Mr Taylor says that in the past he always considered that an individual's politics were determined by their environment. But he now believes that he may have inherited some of his political views from his ancestor - the East End Liberal MP Sir Percy Harris.
THE CONSERVATIVE I'm not convinced my politics are genetic - but I do believe I inherited a public service ethos from my ancestors Nick Hurd MP, whose father, grandfather, and great grandfather were Conservative MPs
THE CONSERVATIVE I'm not convinced my politics are genetic - but I do believe I inherited a public service ethos from my ancestors Nick Hurd MP, whose father, grandfather, and great grandfather were Conservative MPs
"If I were to guess I would say that I have inherited the characteristics of wanting to get up and argue my case," says Mr Taylor. "Also, the belief in the individual as prime and a willingness to buck the trend.
"If I were to guess I would say that I have inherited the characteristics of wanting to get up and argue my case," says Mr Taylor. "Also, the belief in the individual as prime and a willingness to buck the trend.
"As far as I know, these were also the characteristics of my biological great-grandfather."
"As far as I know, these were also the characteristics of my biological great-grandfather."
Although it sounds far-fetched, there is emerging - if controversial - scientific evidence to back up Mr Taylor's claim. A study of thousands of American twins is challenging the orthodoxy that a person's experience and upbringing exclusively determine their political views.
Although it sounds far-fetched, there is emerging - if controversial - scientific evidence to back up Mr Taylor's claim. A study of thousands of American twins is challenging the orthodoxy that a person's experience and upbringing exclusively determine their political views.
The researchers say that how an individual reacts to social issues - whether as a radical or a conservative - is also influenced by their genes. This influence may then predispose them to vote Conservative, Labour, or Liberal Democrat.
The researchers say that how an individual reacts to social issues - whether as a radical or a conservative - is also influenced by their genes. This influence may then predispose them to vote Conservative, Labour, or Liberal Democrat.
Twins study
Twins study
Consistent with longstanding practices in the field of behavioural genetics, the study, by political scientists including Dr John Hibbing, from the University of Nebraska, looked at the responses given by two types of twins - identical and fraternal - to detailed questions about their political beliefs.
Consistent with longstanding practices in the field of behavioural genetics, the study, by political scientists including Dr John Hibbing, from the University of Nebraska, looked at the responses given by two types of twins - identical and fraternal - to detailed questions about their political beliefs.
All the pairs of twins were assumed to have been brought up together in the same family
All the pairs of twins were assumed to have been brought up together in the same family
On the basis that the identical twins had exactly the same genetic make-up, and the fraternal (non-identical) twins shared 50% of their genes, the scientists say they were able to make a rough determinant of how genes influence social attitudes.
On the basis that the identical twins had exactly the same genetic make-up, and the fraternal (non-identical) twins shared 50% of their genes, the scientists say they were able to make a rough determinant of how genes influence social attitudes.
They calculated how often the identical twins agreed on an issue - and then subtracted the rate at which the fraternal twins agreed on the same issue.
They calculated how often the identical twins agreed on an issue - and then subtracted the rate at which the fraternal twins agreed on the same issue.
From this, the team was able to come up with a percentage figure of how strongly the twins' views were shaped by their genes.
From this, the team was able to come up with a percentage figure of how strongly the twins' views were shaped by their genes.
On the issue of "pacifism" for instance, the identical twins agreed about it at a rate of 0.34. The non-identical twins agreed at a rate of 0.15. The scientists thus calculated that on this particular issue, genetic factors contributed 38% to whether or not the twins believed in pacifism.
On the issue of "pacifism" for instance, the identical twins agreed about it at a rate of 0.34. The non-identical twins agreed at a rate of 0.15. The scientists thus calculated that on this particular issue, genetic factors contributed 38% to whether or not the twins believed in pacifism.
"It certainly made us think very deeply about politics," says Dr Hibbing. "And for those of us brought up on the conventional notions that politics are shaped entirely by class and the environment it required a big shift."
"It certainly made us think very deeply about politics," says Dr Hibbing. "And for those of us brought up on the conventional notions that politics are shaped entirely by class and the environment it required a big shift."
THE SOCIALIST Nature or nurture? A bit of both really. I grew up in a household where we talked about the state of the world and politics most of the time. Hilary Benn MP, whose father was a Labour MP. His grandfather and great-grandfather were Liberal MPs
THE SOCIALIST Nature or nurture? A bit of both really. I grew up in a household where we talked about the state of the world and politics most of the time. Hilary Benn MP, whose father was a Labour MP. His grandfather and great-grandfather were Liberal MPs
He is anxious to avoid the charge that he and his colleagues support the notion that genes exclusively pre-determine our views. "We still say that at least half of our political beliefs are still influenced by our environment."
He is anxious to avoid the charge that he and his colleagues support the notion that genes exclusively pre-determine our views. "We still say that at least half of our political beliefs are still influenced by our environment."
Nonetheless, the researchers are working toward a hypothesis that how we react in certain social situations, or for example whether we have a more or less tolerant attitude towards "outsider" groups (such as immigrants) may have an underlying genetic cause.
Nonetheless, the researchers are working toward a hypothesis that how we react in certain social situations, or for example whether we have a more or less tolerant attitude towards "outsider" groups (such as immigrants) may have an underlying genetic cause.
"Much of our research is based on existing studies on personality and genetics, " said Dr Hibbing. "For instance there are certain genes that have been linked to a pre-disposition to depression."
"Much of our research is based on existing studies on personality and genetics, " said Dr Hibbing. "For instance there are certain genes that have been linked to a pre-disposition to depression."
A new quest
A new quest
With that in mind scientists are setting out on a new quest - to try to identify the specific genes that may help to shape our political views.
With that in mind scientists are setting out on a new quest - to try to identify the specific genes that may help to shape our political views.
A new team - including geneticist Dr Nicholas Martin from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research - have gone back to their twins. They are now asking more detailed questions about their politics in order to tease out what may be a more certain calculation of genetic influences on attitudes.
A new team - including geneticist Dr Nicholas Martin from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research - have gone back to their twins. They are now asking more detailed questions about their politics in order to tease out what may be a more certain calculation of genetic influences on attitudes.
But in a radical new development the scientists have also decided to examine human DNA samples - in a bid to isolate genes relevant to politics. The samples have been collated by Dr Martin in Queensland from thousands of Australians who gave blood.
But in a radical new development the scientists have also decided to examine human DNA samples - in a bid to isolate genes relevant to politics. The samples have been collated by Dr Martin in Queensland from thousands of Australians who gave blood.
The team examines DNA from a database of blood samples. the "we go back and ask the person who gave the sample about their politics," says Dr Hibbing.
The team examines DNA from a database of blood samples. the "we go back and ask the person who gave the sample about their politics," says Dr Hibbing.
"What we are trying to establish is whether people who share some similar characteristics in their DNA also share a particular political trait."
"What we are trying to establish is whether people who share some similar characteristics in their DNA also share a particular political trait."
The study is at a preliminary stage, and Dr Hibbing stresses that large samples are needed, and strict controls need to be put in place before the team can pronounce with confidence.
The study is at a preliminary stage, and Dr Hibbing stresses that large samples are needed, and strict controls need to be put in place before the team can pronounce with confidence.
Matthew Taylor's great-grandfather, Liberal MP Percy HarrisIt is a controversial project however. Other scientists dispute the notion that something as abstract as a person's political preferences can be influenced by their genetic make-up.
Matthew Taylor's great-grandfather, Liberal MP Percy HarrisIt is a controversial project however. Other scientists dispute the notion that something as abstract as a person's political preferences can be influenced by their genetic make-up.
Geneticist Dr Dean Hamer of the US National Cancer Institute helped pioneer research that suggested the existence of genes that predispose men towards homosexuality in the 1990s.
Geneticist Dr Dean Hamer of the US National Cancer Institute helped pioneer research that suggested the existence of genes that predispose men towards homosexuality in the 1990s.
But he is sceptical about extending the theory to embrace attitudes as well as sexual preferences.
But he is sceptical about extending the theory to embrace attitudes as well as sexual preferences.
'Memes not genes'
'Memes not genes'
"Political views are memes not genes," he says - meaning that politics is more about the transmission of ideas within society, rather than an inherited characteristic.
"Political views are memes not genes," he says - meaning that politics is more about the transmission of ideas within society, rather than an inherited characteristic.
Dr Hamer says there "might be some minor contributions from heritable personality traits but most of the variance is cultural".
Dr Hamer says there "might be some minor contributions from heritable personality traits but most of the variance is cultural".
Dr Hibbing admits: "We don't yet have a smoking gun linking politics and genes."
Dr Hibbing admits: "We don't yet have a smoking gun linking politics and genes."
However, if he and his colleagues are proved right, the implications could be huge. Imagine a society where everyone's DNA "map" was available. Corporations and political parties with access to the right information might be able to target specific individuals - knowing that they might be genetically predisposed to being sympathetic to a particular party's propaganda.
However, if he and his colleagues are proved right, the implications could be huge. Imagine a society where everyone's DNA "map" was available. Corporations and political parties with access to the right information might be able to target specific individuals - knowing that they might be genetically predisposed to being sympathetic to a particular party's propaganda.
Matthew Taylor was one of the youngest MPs ever elected
Matthew Taylor was one of the youngest MPs ever elected
And from an existential point of view, how would we feel if it was proven that at least some of the element of choice had been removed from our political affiliations? Would we feel like prisoners of our own DNA?
And from an existential point of view, how would we feel if it was proven that at least some of the element of choice had been removed from our political affiliations? Would we feel like prisoners of our own DNA?
As far as Dr Hibbing is concerned however, the possibility of genetic political influences might lead to more political tolerance.
As far as Dr Hibbing is concerned however, the possibility of genetic political influences might lead to more political tolerance.
"If people accept that others have different political views, not because they are bull-headed, but because they are predisposed to believe those things then I am hoping that will take a lot of rancour out of politics.
"If people accept that others have different political views, not because they are bull-headed, but because they are predisposed to believe those things then I am hoping that will take a lot of rancour out of politics.
A healthy political mix
A healthy political mix
"And it may turn out that since the dawn of human history, successful groups have naturally had a healthy mixture of radicals and conservatives. Which is a good thing for us all to know."
"And it may turn out that since the dawn of human history, successful groups have naturally had a healthy mixture of radicals and conservatives. Which is a good thing for us all to know."
As far as MP Matthew Taylor is concerned however, he does not need convincing.
As far as MP Matthew Taylor is concerned however, he does not need convincing.
He now watches his own two young sons with different eyes.
He now watches his own two young sons with different eyes.
"My eldest - Arthur - is only 15 months old," says Mr Taylor, "but he is empathetic; he likes to stand and watch. He is naturally shy, but will make himself join in. As a young MP - that was me."
"My eldest - Arthur - is only 15 months old," says Mr Taylor, "but he is empathetic; he likes to stand and watch. He is naturally shy, but will make himself join in. As a young MP - that was me."
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