Bitten by the travel bug? It may be in your genes

Travellers being tested for 'wanderlust gene' under Scoot-sponsored study by NUS don

Human behaviour geneticist Richard Ebstein has partnered Scoot to study the link between genes and desire to travel, by inviting travellers to test for DRD4-7R, a gene variant linked to lower dopamine sensitivity.
Human behaviour geneticist Richard Ebstein has partnered Scoot to study the link between genes and desire to travel, by inviting travellers to test for DRD4-7R, a gene variant linked to lower dopamine sensitivity. PHOTO: SCOOT SINGAPORE
Human behaviour geneticist Richard Ebstein has partnered Scoot to study the link between genes and desire to travel, by inviting travellers to test for DRD4-7R, a gene variant linked to lower dopamine sensitivity.
Human behaviour geneticist Richard Ebstein has partnered Scoot to study the link between genes and desire to travel, by inviting travellers to test for DRD4-7R, a gene variant linked to lower dopamine sensitivity. PHOTO: SCOOT SINGAPORE
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Some people have a stronger desire to travel than others, and science may know the reason why.

Human behaviour geneticist Richard Ebstein has partnered budget airline Scoot to study the link between genes and people's desire to travel.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 17, 2018, with the headline Bitten by the travel bug? It may be in your genes. Subscribe