Genetic twin studies of Alcholism flawed

Many peoplesay that the genetics of alcoholism have been conclusively proved by "Twin Studies". Although I dont agree with Stanton Peele on everything he does a service by pointing out some truths about these studies Here is the link below. You will notice there is speculation the results were skewed by a "unique" definition of
alcoholism, and that other data fails to support the biological inheritance of alcoholism.

Proof that "Alcoholism" is genetic does not yet exist. People that say it
does do so because 1) they are possibly ignorant and bought into a something that isnt true or 2) they want to believe it regardless of how many facts are presented to them.

After all its easier to believe there is something wrong with your body rather than there is something wrong with your soul, isnt it?


http://www.peele.net/lib/genetics.html Genetics of Alcoholism


"Other data fail to support biological inheritance of alcoholism.
Gurling et al. (1981), when comparing MZ and DZ twins, found that the
nonidentical pairs showed a higher pairwise concordance rate for
alcohol dependence. This British group has also presented a
comprehensive critique of the twin and adoption studies (Murray et al.,
1983). Regarding Goodwin and his colleagues' (1973) seminal discovery
of an alcoholism inheritance among adoptees, Murray et al. noted that
the investigators' definition of alcoholism was unique, including a low
cutoff in the amount of consumption (daily drinking, with six or more
drinks consumed 2 or 3 times a month) combined with reported loss of
control. The definitions in Goodwin et al.'s study are crucial since
control adoptees (those without biological-alcoholic relatives) were
more often problem drinkers than were index adoptees (those with
biological-alcoholic relatives)--a finding which was reversed for
subjects identified as alcoholics. Murray et al. commented: "Could it
be that Goodwin's findings are simply an artifact produced by the
threshold for alcoholism accidentally dividing heavy drinkers in the
index and control groups unevenly?" (p. 42)."