--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first result of this randomized trial…" description: "\"“The first result of this randomized trial was predictable from prior studies: in the control group, children with the short variant-i.e., the \"high ri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/siddhartha-mukherjee-1619_drug-use_the-first-result-of-this-randomized-tria_1520278.jpg" --- # The first result of this randomized trial was predictable… ![“The first result of this randomized trial was predictable from prior studies: in the control group, children with the short variant-i.e., the "high risk" form of the gene- were twice as likely to veer toward high-risk behaviors, including binge drinking, drug use, and sexual promiscuity as…” quote by Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/siddhartha-mukherjee-1619_drug-use_the-first-result-of-this-randomized-tria_1520278.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/siddhartha-mukherjee-1619_drug-use_the-first-result-of-this-randomized-tria_1520278.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/siddhartha-mukherjee-1619_drug-use_the-first-result-of-this-randomized-tria_1520278.jpg) > ““The first result of this randomized trial was predictable from prior studies: in the control group, children with the short variant-i.e., the "high risk" form of the gene- were twice as likely to veer toward high-risk behaviors, including binge drinking, drug use, and sexual promiscuity as adolescents, confirming earlier studies that had suggested an increased risk within this genetic subgroup. The second result was more provocative: these very children were also the most likely to respond to the social interventions. In the intervention group, children with the high-risk allele were most strongly and rapidly "normalized"-i.e., the most drastically affected subjects were also the best responders. In a parallel study, orphaned infants with the short variant of 5HTTLRP appeared more impulsive and socially disturbed than their long-variant counterparts as baseline-but were also the most likely to benefit from placement in a more nurturing foster-care environment. In both cases, it seems, the short variant encodes a hyperactive "stress sensor" for psychic susceptibility, but also a sensor most likely to respond to an intervention that targets the susceptibility. The most brittle or fragile forms of psyche are the most likely to be distorted by trauma-inducing environments-but are also the most likely to be restored by targeted interventions. It is as if resilience itself has a genetic core: some humans are born resilient (but are less responsive to interventions), while others are born sensitive (but more likely to respond to changes in their environments.)”” [Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People with a stress‑sensitive gene are prone to risky behavior but also respond best to supportive interventions. **In simple terms:** Sensitive genes increase risk and resilience. Key Takeaway Targeted support helps vulnerable individuals. Themes genetics behavior intervention resilience Mood concerned optimistic Type scientific policy When to use this quote - school programs - foster care - community counseling Key Concepts epigenetics psychology public health Questions to Reflect On - What ethical concerns arise from labeling genetic risk? - How can interventions be made equitable? A Different Perspective Genetic determinism may oversimplify complex social factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Drug use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug-use/) [High risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-risk/) ## Related quotes > [I have been in relatively high-risk businesses all of my adult life. 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The quieter I am, the longer I can keep them growing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-pauley/twins-are-a-high-risk-pregnancy-by-definition-the-quieter-i-am-the/) [Jane Pauley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-pauley/) > [High risk is high adrenaline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-statham/high-risk-is-high-adrenaline/) [Jason Statham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-statham/) > [When you take high risks, the rewards are higher. So sometimes I'll gamble just to see what happens. If it doesn't work, I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-braxton/when-you-take-high-risks-the-rewards-are-higher-so-sometimes-i-ll/) [Toni Braxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-braxton/) > [Studies of immigration show that this resistance to heart disease is not just something in African or Chinese genes. When people move from low-risk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-greger/studies-of-immigration-show-that-this-resistance-to-heart-disease-is/) [Michael Greger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-greger/) > [One of the major biases in risky decision making is optimism. Optimism is a source of high-risk thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/one-of-the-major-biases-in-risky-decision-making-is-optimism-optimism/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) ## More by Siddhartha Mukherjee > [Most days, I go home and I feel rejuvenated. I feel ebullient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/most-days-i-go-home-and-i-feel-rejuvenated-i-feel-ebullient/) [Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/) > [“A note of caution: epigenetics is also on the verge of transforming into a dangerous idea. 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The second result was more provocative: these very children were also the most likely to respond to the social interventions. In the intervention group, children with the high-risk allele were most strongly and rapidly \"normalized\"-i.e., the most drastically affected subjects were also the best responders. In a parallel study, orphaned infants with the short variant of 5HTTLRP appeared more impulsive and socially disturbed than their long-variant counterparts as baseline-but were also the most likely to benefit from placement in a more nurturing foster-care environment. In both cases, it seems, the short variant encodes a hyperactive \"stress sensor\" for psychic susceptibility, but also a sensor most likely to respond to an intervention that targets the susceptibility. The most brittle or fragile forms of psyche are the most likely to be distorted by trauma-inducing environments-but are also the most likely to be restored by targeted interventions. 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