According to the new study, the citizens of nations which rate themselves happiest display a specific genetic feature: their DNA is more likely to contain a specific allele involved in sensory pleasure and pain reduction. Michael Minkov of the Varna University of Management (formerly International University College) in Bulgaria, and Michael Bond of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University researched genetic and various external factors (climate and economic) to might contribute to national differences in happiness. They used data from three waves of the nationally representative World Values Survey (2000 - 2014), calculating the average national percentages of respondents who unambiguously reported being "very happy". They found a strong correlation between a nation’s happiness and the presence of the A allele in the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene variant rs324420 in its citizens’ genetic make-up. This allele helps prevent the chemical degradation of anandamide, a substance that enhances sensory pleasure and helps to reduce pain. http://www.springer.com/us/about-sp...king-some-nations-happier-than-others/7117266 I understand that genes may affect individual happiness, but I doubt one single allele could be responsible for happiness of a whole nation, rather than social and economic influences. Also, the genetic data researchers used is from a database on ethnics groups. They are also trying to correlate the frequency of one allele to a completely unrelated study that asks about happiness.
