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Empathy is often discussed as something we can all improve with enough effort—like building muscle or achieving a higher Candy Crush score. However, a new study released today offers fresh evidence suggesting that genetic factors play a significant role in individual differences in empathy.
Empathy comes in two key forms: cognitive empathy, which is the ability to understand and recognize others’ emotions and thoughts, and affective empathy, which is the capacity to respond appropriately to those emotions. It is often assessed using an empathy quotient (EQ) test, where participants rate their empathetic abilities based on statements like “I adjust my behavior based on who I am interacting with” and “I enjoy learning new things.”
With advancements in biotechnology over recent decades, scientists have increasingly turned to DNA to investigate factors like cancer risk, autism, and disorders such as schizophrenia and sexuality. These inquiries are often described as the hunt for a “cancer gene” or “autism gene,” but the results are rarely as straightforward. Researchers have been studying the potential connection between genetics and empathy for over ten years. While they have found evidence of a link, identifying a single “empathy gene” remains elusive. The latest study, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, brings us a step closer.
This study, conducted by researchers from Cambridge University, Institut Pasteur, Paris Diderot University, the French National Center for Scientific Research, and genetics experts from 23andMe, represents the largest genome-wide association study on empathy to date. 23andMe provided saliva samples from 46,861 participants, all of whom also completed an online EQ test.
Numerous Genes with Minor Contributions
The new results confirmed some previous findings while introducing new data to the field. The average self-reported EQ score was 46.4 out of 80, which aligns with earlier studies. Women scored higher than men, and older participants had higher scores than younger ones—both consistent with prior research. The study also indicated a “narrow but significant” relationship between DNA and empathy differences. In simple terms, DNA seemed to account for about 11 percent of the variations in self-reported empathy levels.
However, it’s unclear exactly how these genetic differences lead to variations in empathy. The researchers explored whether these DNA differences, known as SNPs, were located in specific genes and discovered that two genes stood out: SEMA6D, which influences neuron growth, and FBN2, which is involved in the development of fibers in skin, ligaments, and blood vessels. Despite examining all the SNPs in the genes, no particular function was found to be dominant across the entire dataset. For instance, if all the differences were found in genes related to neuron growth, it might provide more clarity. The dispersed nature of the results suggests that genes might influence empathy in ways we don’t fully understand yet—or they might not play a major role at all. In other words, the search for a distinct empathy gene is ongoing.
Professor Thomas Bourgeron from Paris Diderot University, one of the researchers, believes these findings indicate that science is heading in the right direction, toward understanding how genetics shape the way we perceive and interact with the world.
'These results provide a captivating new angle on the genetic factors that shape empathy,' he remarked. In the case of complex traits like empathy, each gene likely contributes a small effect, which Bourgeron explains makes it difficult to pinpoint their exact roles. 'The next step,' he continued, 'is to study an even larger sample, replicate these findings, and identify the biological pathways connected to individual variations in empathy.'
How Genes Relate to Empathy
How might genes influence empathy? Past research offers some insights. Genes provide the body with instructions to create various proteins, some of which are receptors for hormones like oxytocin (often referred to as the 'love hormone') and vasopressin, both of which influence social behavior. It’s possible that some people have more sensitive receptors for these hormones, leading to greater empathy due to their genetic makeup. A recent meta-analysis revealed that in six out of seven twin studies, at least one age group exhibited genetic differences contributing to empathy variations. Another study found that genetic factors explained 35 percent of the empathy differences between individuals. (Learn more about these studies and others here.)
The latest study also confirmed earlier research showing empathy differences in individuals with autism, schizophrenia, and anorexia. Although no specific genes were linked to both empathy and these disorders, a relationship between EQ scores and all three conditions was found.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen from Cambridge, who played a role in the study, emphasized that the results should deepen our understanding of individuals who have difficulty imagining others’ emotions. 'This challenge with empathy can lead to a disability that is just as impactful as other disabilities,' he stated. 'As a society, we need to offer support to those with such disabilities through innovative teaching techniques, workarounds, or appropriate adjustments to encourage inclusion.'
Although the study confirmed that women generally report higher empathy levels than men, this finding only applied to the self-reported empathy quotient survey results. There was no distinct genetic variation correlating with the EQ score differences between men and women. The researchers suggest that the empathy gap between men and women is likely more influenced by social factors than by genetics.
What We Still Need to Discover
While big data is valuable for research, it has its limits when it comes to studying the brain. The study didn’t find clear evidence pointing to any specific gene or gene segment that impacts empathy. The researchers suggest that the small size of the dataset may be the reason for this, a common challenge in genome-wide association studies.
'Even with the vast amount of data provided by 23andMe, it’s still not enough. We need even more extensive data,' said Dr. Jean Kim, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at George Washington University, who was not part of the study. 'There are no simple genetic markers in behavioral conditions that let you pinpoint a single mutation or gene to easily turn on or off. Given the complexity of the brain, finding quick and easy answers will not be possible.'
It’s worth mentioning that nearly all participants in this study were of European descent, which is a common issue with data from personal genomics companies like 23andMe.
Since genome-wide association studies require an enormous number of statistical tests, they’ve developed a reputation for having a higher-than-usual likelihood of yielding false-positive results.
Despite these challenges, Kim and other experts are encouraged by the progress being made in understanding whether empathy is partially inherited through our genetic makeup. 'Studies like this one represent many small steps toward a better understanding of human behavior,' she said.
