Happiness & genes

Happiness is partly genetically determined:

We estimate the heritability of subjective well-being at 33%, indicating that about one-third of the variance in individual life satisfaction can be attributed to genetic influences. We also find that there are meaningful differences across gender (women 26%, men 39%) and that the heritability of happiness tends to increase with age.

This is based upon a study of young Americans.
Although there is not a single “happiness gene”, the authors say that “individuals with a transcriptionally more efficient version of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4, also known as 5-HTT) are significantly more likely to report higher levels of life satisfaction.”
Does this undermine David Cameron’s desire to promote general well-being?
In one sense no. A genetic contribution of 33% leaves two-thirds amenable to non-genetic factors, some of which might be changeable by policy.
But there might be another sense in which it does matter. I suspect that it is at the extremes of happiness that genes matter: some people suffer clinical depression, others seem always cheery. At these extremes, happiness policy might have little traction: though of course mental health policy could. This, though, means that such policies affect the middle of the happiness distribution. They might raise people from “can’t complain, I suppose” to “not so bad really.” Would this really be a big deal?

Comments

[chris y]

Would this really be a big deal?

Well, could be worse, I suppose.

[Bruce]

Well, that's all rather depressing.

[Luis Enrique]

can we arrange for sperm banks to pay people with said happiness genes a large premium?

[Andrea]

Thanks for the nice post!

[Churm Rincewind]

Well there may not be a happiness gene, but there is certainly a happiness hormone - serotonin - which is widely accepted to be associated with feelings of well-being, and an individual's serotonin levels may well be affected by his or her genetic makeup, as this study suggests.

For those not blessed genetically, though, there are more immediate solutions at hand which affect serotonin levels, like ecstasy or LSD.

But somehow I feel that these are not what David Cameron has in mind.

[Pix]

"such policies affect the middle of the happiness distribution. They might raise people from “can’t complain, I suppose” to “not so bad really.” Would this really be a big deal?"

No, but raising people from "don't get me started" to "can't complain" would be.

The value of raising the average depends where you think the current average is.

[Pawan]

Thanks for the nice post.
But its ironical that happiness comes when our desires are fulfilled, while desires drags us away from the happiness.
Please comment if I'm wrong.Might be my expressions are not up to mark but i hope you can understand what i want to say.

Any ways, nice post.

[Quotes About Happiness]

This an interesting observation. I want to include in my website. Check it out if you have a chance.