SAEDNEWS: People often think laziness is a personality trait, but a new study suggests that genes may also play a role in it.
According to SAEDNEWS, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was the first person to present the theory of evolution. He believed that environmental changes cause the needs of living organisms to change; therefore, they adjust their behaviors in accordance with their environment. This altered behavior leads to an increase or decrease in the use of certain organs. If the use of an organ decreases, it will eventually disappear over several generations, and these changes can be inherited.
Later, Gregor Mendel, a monk and biologist, made a significant contribution to genetics. His work demonstrated how inheritance functions and explained the fundamental mechanisms of heredity.
After the Nazi regime conducted extensive human experiments under the name of genetic research, genetics became a taboo subject for much of the world. Behavioral genetics, also referred to as psychogenetics, is a field that studies the role of genes in shaping behavior and claims that genetics can play a significant role in influencing an individual’s personality.
Although some people may carry rare genes that reduce their level of activity, laziness is often considered a learned response to environmental factors rather than a purely genetic trait. For a more detailed answer, you can continue reading the section below.
A study conducted in 2014 showed that a “laziness gene” exists in mice. As you know, the mouse genome is very similar to that of humans, which is why most studies are first performed on mice and then extended to humans.
This study found that a protein involved in dopamine signaling was disrupted in some mice. Dopamine is a chemical that plays a key role in regulating our level of physical activity. The research also showed that mice with this mutation were only about one-third as active as normal mice and developed conditions similar to metabolic syndrome in humans, which can lead to high blood pressure and obesity.
Some scientists have suggested that laziness may also have an evolutionary advantage. With the increasing efficiency of public health systems and greater access to everyday necessities, laziness appears to be a learned response that is continuously reinforced by the surrounding environment. Modern advanced life increasingly makes people tired and inactive. In such situations, instead of relieving stress with something like a hot shower, people may turn to a pizza, meaning that another contributing factor to laziness is fast food and recent cultural changes. This chain of events can repeat itself daily, ultimately leading to reduced energy and physical activity.
While many traits are influenced by genetics, laziness does not appear to be one of them. However, there is evidence that a rare mutation in a dopamine-regulating protein can affect activity levels. As the name suggests, this is a rare gene, and the real cause of laziness seems to be urbanization and easy access to everything.
