Abstract
The “God gene” discovered by Dean Hamer has been sequenced within the general population and compared to the spirituality of the individuals. Hamer found that those with specific nucleotides on specific locations within the VMAT2 gene were more “spiritual” than those with the more common nucleotides. Studies have been done on the general population, but not within a specific spiritual Christian community. Bethel University biology students volunteered their DNA for sequencing to determine if they are indeed more spiritual from a genetic standpoint or were comparable to the general population. After DNA extraction, the VMAT2 gene was isolated and replicated through the process of PCR. The samples were run through gel electrophoresis, cut, prepared, and sent for sequencing. It was found that Bethel University students have comparable VMAT2 sequences to those found in the general public, with a p-value of .15. This supports the hypothesis that the nucleotides found on the VMAT2 gene have no effect on an individual’s spirituality or faith.
Introduction
Spirituality and biology have been clashing heads from the onset of biological sciences hundreds of years ago. Biological conceptions are often seen as incompatible with religious beliefs and practices because of their opposing ideas. Oftentimes, these ideas are debated with no final answer because conclusions in biology are based on experimental design and facts, while spirituality is based on faith. Nonetheless, answers arrived at with biology are influential to the spirituality of individuals. People still desire an easy way to synthesize faith and biology to this day.
In 2004, Dean Hamer wrote a book entitled The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired into Our Genes, in which he argued that one’s capacity for spirituality is influenced by genetics. He claims that the VMAT2 gene can specifically predispose individuals toward spiritual experiences. While conducting research for addiction, he decided to use his data to look for genes associated with spirituality. More than 1,000 men and women took a personality test, Temperament and Character Inventory, and Hamer ranked them according to their spirituality. He then looked at nine specific genes that are known to regulate monoamines such as dopamine that control our mood.
Hamer found results of the presence of VMAT2 in the genes of the subjects who were more spiritually inclined. A certain allele frequency in the 52, 54, and 71 positions of the DNA were consistent in subjects with heightened spiritual sensitivity. The less spiritual subjects did not have this gene. VMAT2 is a transporter in the synapse that regulates the levels of dopamine in the nervous system. When dopamine levels are not ideal, the patients can have symptoms of depression and anxiety. According to Hamer, the regulation of dopamine also has an affect on spiritual thoughts and feelings. He does not claim that VMAT2 is the deciding factor for whether or not someone believes in a spiritual power, however it can have an affect on how deep these feelings go.
In this experiment, we looked for the presence of the VMAT2 gene in our own DNA. Because our university is a Christian university, we were testing to see if there was more presence of the God Gene in the Bethel community compared to the general population tested by Hamer. Our prediction was that the Bethel population would not have a higher presence of the God gene compared to the general population and that there would be no association between the presence of VMAT2 and the spirituality of the person. After completing the experiment we hope to have a better understanding of the different ways that faith and biology can be synthesized and integrated with one another.
In 2004, Dean Hamer wrote a book entitled The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired into Our Genes, in which he argued that one’s capacity for spirituality is influenced by genetics. He claims that the VMAT2 gene can specifically predispose individuals toward spiritual experiences. While conducting research for addiction, he decided to use his data to look for genes associated with spirituality. More than 1,000 men and women took a personality test, Temperament and Character Inventory, and Hamer ranked them according to their spirituality. He then looked at nine specific genes that are known to regulate monoamines such as dopamine that control our mood.
Hamer found results of the presence of VMAT2 in the genes of the subjects who were more spiritually inclined. A certain allele frequency in the 52, 54, and 71 positions of the DNA were consistent in subjects with heightened spiritual sensitivity. The less spiritual subjects did not have this gene. VMAT2 is a transporter in the synapse that regulates the levels of dopamine in the nervous system. When dopamine levels are not ideal, the patients can have symptoms of depression and anxiety. According to Hamer, the regulation of dopamine also has an affect on spiritual thoughts and feelings. He does not claim that VMAT2 is the deciding factor for whether or not someone believes in a spiritual power, however it can have an affect on how deep these feelings go.
In this experiment, we looked for the presence of the VMAT2 gene in our own DNA. Because our university is a Christian university, we were testing to see if there was more presence of the God Gene in the Bethel community compared to the general population tested by Hamer. Our prediction was that the Bethel population would not have a higher presence of the God gene compared to the general population and that there would be no association between the presence of VMAT2 and the spirituality of the person. After completing the experiment we hope to have a better understanding of the different ways that faith and biology can be synthesized and integrated with one another.