Patrick Zickler

A person’s vulnerability to nicotine addiction may be determined in part by his or her genetic makeup, Patrick Zickler contends in the following viewpoint. He argues that National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-supported studies conducted on twins show that genetic factors play a much more significant role than environmental factors in determining nicotine dependence. He maintains that a more complete understanding of the role of genetic influences in nicotine addiction will help scientists develop better treatments to help people stop smoking. Patrick Zickler is a staff writer for NIDA Notes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Zickler, why do researchers use twins to determine whether genes play a role in nicotine addiction?
2. What purpose does Zickler maintain is served by genes that help regulate nicotine metabolism?
3. In the...