The Anti-Common Sense Gene

Two years ago, scientists at both UC San Diego and Harvard University concluded that "ideology is affected not just by social factors, but also by a dopamine receptor gene called DRD4."

People "with a specific variant of the DRD4 gene were more likely to be liberal as adults," they said. The effect is caused by a neurotransmitter in the brain called DRD4 which could be simulated by the novelty value of left-of-center opinions. The research suggests that some people have an inherent bias against conservative thinking that is independent of their education or upbringing.

It is important that we examine the phraseology used in these studies. May we conclude, for example, that "dopamine" is a derivative of "dope?" I think so.

People "with a specific variant of the DRD4 gene...."--can we interpret "variant" to mean "deviant?" "Mutation?"

"Novelty value of left-of-center opinions;" i.e., opinions the only value of which is that they are different from those mainstream.

"[S]ome people have an inherent bias against conservative thinking that is independent of their education or upbringing." In other words, in spite of how they were raised, and irrespective of what they should have learned at university, the corrupt gene prohibits their application of common sense to social problems.

Which largely explains the rants of liberal newspaper editors and columnists in general, and Tampa Bay Times resident lefty Robyn Blumner in particular.

Robyn personifies the DRD4 gene run amok. Look up "socialist dogmatic" in your Funk and Wagnall and you'll likely find her picture. She sees fascists, racists, ageists, elitists, homophobes, sexists, and male chauvinist pigs behind every tree.

She can't help it; she possesses the defective DRD4 gene.

What one cannot understand is how, after her malfunctioned genetic condition was scientifically diagnosed, she still is afforded space for her "novel" views. Consider her latest rant, published March 11.

"Florida and its women are being attacked," she wrote. "The state's Republican leaders are laying the legal groundwork for the day Roe v Wade is overturned by the Roberts court."

What Florida's Republicans are in fact trying to do is bring the state in line with the US Constitution. In Roe v Wade, the then liberal majority on the US Supreme Court found an implied right to an abortion as part and parcel of another implied right, that of privacy. 32 years ago, Florida Democrats amended Florida's constitution to include an explicit right to privacy. This has been interpreted to include a woman's right to an abortion. In the event Roe v Wade is overturned, Florida's constitution would then be at odds with that of the US. Even high school civics students know that the US Constitution trumps state constitutions.

Such imagery, Robyn. Florida women are not being "attacked." In the first place, not all women agree with Roe v Wade. It is superbly ironic that "Roe" herself later repudiated the Court's decision in her favor. Moreover, disagreement does not equate to physical assault. Do you actually believe Republicans want to subjugate women, many of whom are among their own ranks? Seriously?

Perhaps the DRD4 gene also is responsible for inculcating paranoia.