Genetic markers and alcoholism.

Abstract

Genetic markers are genetically determined characteristics that have been found to occur in association with some common disorders. In alcoholism, four types of genetic markers have been studied to determine their frequency compared with the general population frequency. The markers studied are blood groups and serum proteins, secretion of ABH blood group substance, phenylthiourea taste sensitivity, and color vision defects. There have been found to be significant associations between alcoholism and all the above markers apart from blood groups and serum proteins. However, the associations appear to result from acquired rather than inherited factors.