Evidence suggests a genetic link to alcoholism?

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/health/10836368.htm

This is the kind of article that appears in papers and forms people views and opininons about alcoholism. People read this sort of thing and accept it uncritically. Lets take a closer look at it.


Dr. Conti states as fact "one part is genetic and the other part is enviormental". But is that true?
Is there really evidence to prove its genetic?Well, if you look a little closer you see the admission, " No alcoholic gene has been identified".

Close relatives are said to be about 3 or 4 times likely to develop problems with alchol. This is cited as evidence of a genetic link. But is it? Couldnt it just as likely be the emotional atmosphere in the home causing the problem as genetics?

The article says adofpted infants born of alcoholic parents are 3 times more likely. I mean there are a lot of factors here. How old were they when adopted? Had they suffered trauma from the alcoholic parent? Do children of adoptive homes have a higher rate of alcoholism than non-adopted children? We dont know.

As a matter of fact, the studies themselves are not even cited.

So instead of scientific evidence it appears what we have here is a "Substance abuse educator"
advancing an agenda.