Sex Distinctiveness in Effective Genotype

Abstract

The difference between sexes in incidence and prevalence of alcohol-related problems is a central feature of alcohol research. It is inevitable that these differences will receive escalating attention as it becomes increasingly apparent that the interests of both equity and good science are served by the study of sex differences in health-related processes. For several reasons, genetic methods promise to offer powerful tools for the elucidation of sex differences. In the first place, the determination of sex depends on a genetic mechanism. Furthermore, there is an abundant literature showing the relevance of heredity to a broad variety of alcohol-related processes. Moreover, there is evidence of major differences in genetic influences in males and females in respect to alcoholism specifically. It is important to appreciate that genetic influence on sex distinctiveness may operate through several different mechanisms, with quite different implications. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an elementary description of these different genetic routes to sex differences.