How Genes and Environment Shape Alcoholism Risk

The contribution of heredity to the risk of developing alcoholism is commonly estimated to range from about 40% to 60%, yet in every individual case the balance between genetic predisposition and environmental factors varies. In addition, these figures may mislead unless the specific context is considered. When researchers attempt to separate hereditary influences from social ones, they confront a complex mosaic where genes and surroundings continuously intertwine. This perspective comes from a doctor of biological sciences who leads a genome analysis laboratory at a major genetic institute, reflecting studies conducted in Russia on the Institute of General Genetics. The insights are echoed by Svetlana Borinskaya of NI Vavilov RAS, who stresses the caveats of drawing firm conclusions from aggregate statistics and underscores how context can shift the weight of genetic contribution in different populations.