UGA to study genetic links to youth drug abuse, risky sex

By Craig Schneider

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Are some kids attracted to drugs and risky sex because of their genes?

University of Georgia researchers say that might be part of the problem, and they are studying ways to turn off those genes and turn around those kids.

The researchers announced Wednesday they have received a $5.9 million grant to study whether a combination of genetic study and changes to a young person’s environment can overcome those challenges.

They hope to do it without medicine, surgery or genetic tampering, said Steven Beach, director of the UGA Institute for Behavioral Research.

On one level, the researchers will study the genetic reasons that may drive some young people toward drug abuse and risky sexual behavior. Progress has already been made in establishing a genetic link to such behavior, he said.

Moreover, the grant will examine whether changes in parenting and community environment can override the genetic risks, the researchers said.

The hope is that the research will help turn around these troubled youth before they head too far down the wrong road, they said.

“There are no bad genes. Just bad combinations of genes with environments,” Beach said.

Research is already working to identify genes that forecast increased chances for substance abuse and behavior problems among youth.

Researchers have identified parenting practices and community characteristics that serve to minimize such risky behavior.

Beach acknowledges that some of these identified changes are common sense: more parental monitoring, the use of prevention programs, and having other adults keep tabs on the child and report problems to the parent.

But Beach believes this research can help identify the most effective method for a specific child, depending on their genetic makeup.

The five-year Core Center of Excellence grant is provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The grant will bring together a team of molecular and statistical geneticists, genetic epidemiologists and scientists specializing in prevention, public health and human development. Participating researchers are at the University of Georgia, Emory University, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Iowa.