Biological Explanation for Heroin Addiction - DRD2 Gene

Question 1

What is the supporting evidence/strengths of the DRD2 gene as an explanation for heroin addiction?

Answer 1

Lawford et al (2000)

Vereczkei (2013)

Scientific methods

Question 2

What is the refuting evidence/weaknesses of the DRD2 gene as an explanation for heroin addiction?

Answer 2

Noble (2000)

Nature-nurture debate

Reductionism

Question 3

Why is Lawford et al (2000) supporting evidence of the DRD2 gene as an explanation for heroin addiction?

Answer 3

Lawford found the frequency of DRD2 A1 variant was significantly higher in heroin addicts than non-heroin users

Furthermore, those with the A1 variant were at greater risk of failure in methadone treatment programs

Question 4

Why is Veeczkei (2013) supporting evidence of the DRD2 gene as an explanation for heroin addiction?

Answer 4

Vereczkei studied 303 Hungarian heroin addicts and 555 controls by analysing their genotype data

Cheek swabs were used to look at several genes including DRD2

Data was analysed using Chi-squared and found that the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene was overexpressed in heroin addicts compared to controls

Question 5

Why is scientific methods a strength of the DRD2 gene as an explanation for heroin addiction?

Answer 5

Evidence for a genetic cause of heroin addiction is collected using scientific methods such as genotype analysis

These methods may be viewed as objective and may be increasing the credibility of this explanation

Question 6

Why is Noble (2000) refuting evidence of the DRD2 gene as an explanation for heroin addiction?

Answer 6

Noble found problems treating heroin addicts with the DRD2 gene

95 heroin users attended a methadone treatment program and 42% of those who dropped out were found to have the A1 variant

Suggests that their more virulent form of addiction is not treatable using standard doses of methadone