The Dopamine Receptor D4 Gene (DRD4) and Self-Reported Risk Taking in the Economic Domain

Background: Recent evidence suggests that individual variation in risk taking is partly due to genetic factors. Methodology/Principal Findings: We explore how self-reported risk taking in different domains correlates with variation in the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4). Past studies conflict on the influence of DRD4 in relation to risk taking. A sample of 237 serious tournament contract bridge players, experts on risk taking in one domain, was genotyped for having a 7-repeat allele (7R+) or not (7R-) at DRD4. No difference was found between 7R+ and 7Rindividuals in general risk taking or in several other riskrelated activities. Conclusion: In this sample of individuals (tournament bridge players) there is no relationship between DRD4 genotype and self-reported risk taking in different domains. Department of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics; Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, Harvard University; Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University; Department of Psychology, Harvard University; Department of Economics, MIT; Laboratory of Evolutionary Anthropology and Health, Departments of Biological Sciences and Anthropology, Binghamton University; The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington; Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. *These two authors contributed equally to this work. To whom correspondence should be addressed: John F. Kennedy School of Government, Mailbox 41, 79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. Phone: 617-495-1174, Fax: 617-384-9340, Email: [email protected].