Abstract
This was an experiment developed out of Dr. Hamer's God Gene research of how a gene called VMAT-2, could influence spiritual sensitivity. The purpose of the experiment was to test whether students at Bethel had a higher frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in VMAT2 associated with increased spirituality in Hamer’s model. Our results turned out to be very similar to the general public's results with no statistically significant difference in the polymorphisms. There was no difference in the three positions we tested, including 52, 54, and 71. We concluded that we were not different in the alleles and that even though it is possible that our spirituality could be influenced by a gene, it was unlikely that it was true in this case. It would be interesting to look at how other genes might affect humans on a spiritual or "other-worldly" level. In any case, we completed our experiment and have shared our results below.
Introduction
The concept of a "God-gene" is one that is filled with much controversy. When geneticist Dean Hamer first postulated the possibility for a gene that could be the chemical reason for spiritual "highs", the hypothesis was greeted with both enthusiasm and skepticism. The claim of Dr. Hamer was that the gene that encodes for the transport protein VMAT-2 has a version where the frequency of c-polymorphisms on positions 52, 54, and 71 of VMAT-2 is higher. Individuals with this version of VMAT-2 could be said to have the "God gene", as they were more spiritually inclined than other subjects in Hamer's experiment. To arrive at this conclusion, Hamer conducted an experiment where subject VMAT-2 variances were compared to a spirituality test (called the TCI) the subjects took. VMAT-2 is a key protein in dopamine regulation which facilitates the containment of dopamine in a secretory vesicle to be excreted into the neural synapse of a nerve cell to create a biochemical response. He claims that having the specific version of this gene is the reason why some people are able to reach spiritual "highs", or enlightenment easier than other people, simply due to a slightly different mechanism for regulating dopamine in the body. Assuming that these claims are true, a group of Christian students
from Bethel University wanted to know whether or not
the gene for spiritual enlightenment would appear more frequently in their
Molecular/Cellular Biology class verses the national average. We hypothesize that the "God gene" would be more prevalent in Bethel students compared to the average population. Our null hypothesis is that there would be no significant change in the percentage of students with the "God gene" in Bethel verses the national average. We believe that Bethel students will have a higher percentage of the "God gene" due to their already previously inclination for spiritual enlightenment by choosing a Christian university. To test our hypothesis, we conducted a modified version of Hamer's experiment which excluded the spirituality test.
Methods:
-Methods for DNA extraction: In order to obtain cheek cells, we swished salt solution around in our mouths and expelled the solution into a cup. We then transferred the wash from our cup to a tube provided by instructor, then we capped the tube. The tube was centrifuged in order to create a pellet of matter including DNA at the bottom. When complete, we removed as much supernatant as possible and kept the pellet (containing the DNA). We used a pipette to churn the solution of Chelex several times to suspend the Chelex beads, then quickly transferred the solution into our tube containing the pellet. We thoroughly mixed the components by, again, pipetting the mixture in and out several times. Next, we transferred the mixture to a labeled eppendorf tube and placed a lid lock on the tube. We put the eppendorf tube in a hot block to rupture the cheek cells and release the DNA into solution. Afterwards, we placed the tube on ice to cool and then removed the lid lock so we could separate the DNA from the Chelex and cell debris. Finally, we transferred the extracted DNA supernatant into a new, labeled tube for use in the next step. Any remaining mixture was tossed at the end.
-Methods for PCR: We then conducted the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This reaction is to create multiples of one section of DNA. This allows the primers to attach to the DNA strands and then the enzymer polymerase will attach nucleotides to the DNA strand to create the opposite side. When the mixture is heated to about 90 degrees Celcius, the DNA splits apart. Then the mixture cools to about 50 degrees to attach the primers. Afterward. it heats up again to about 75 degrees Celcius to attach the enzyme and add the nucleotides. For our experiment, we had to first obtain a PCR tube with a "bead" inside containing the necessary chemicals (Taq DNA polymerase, buffers, and all four deoxyribonucleotides) to carry out the experiment. We placed the primer mix into the tube in order to dissolve the bead. Next we added the extracted DNA to the PCR tube and then mixed the contents. The tube was put into the PCR machine and the DNA was replicated after a few hours.
-Methods for Gel Electrophoresis: The agarose gel was precast for each group. In the first well we added a standard 1kb sample ladder of DNA strands for length comparison. Then we added our DNA to each of the next wells, making sure the wells were closest to the negative charge in the tray. The purpose of this was to ensure the negatively charged DNA strands traveled towards the positively charged anode when the electrical current was added. This caused the DNA strands to move through the sponge like gel until some point in the middle of the gel, determined by length of DNA strands and duration of incubation. After adding the current and a 30 minute wait, we had a product we were able to analyze.
-Methods for Electrophoresis Analysis: We started the analysis by adding a certain dye called Ethidium Bromide to the DNA solution before we ran the electrophoresis. This is a special chemical that lights up the DNA under UV radiation. Once the gel was finished with electrophoresis, we put the gel in a special machine to be able to see the bands even if they are very light. We were able to see just one major band which was our VMAT-2 gene. Once we knew that we could find and see our band of DNA clearly, we had to cut the DNA band out of the agarose gel. We put the gel on a panel of glass over a couple of UV lights to see the band and then used a razor to cut the DNA out. It was important to wear a lot of UV protection from the radiation.
-Methods for DNA Extraction from Gel: The first step taken in this process was cutting out the band of DNA from the agarose gel, which we took care of in our last step. We added QG buffer (based on our gel weight) to the gel in order to dissolve the gel without harming the DNA. Then, the mixture was placed in a 50 degree Celsius hot block to be further dissolved. Afterwards, we introduced isopropanol to our solution to help the DNA stick to the white filter within our column. We transferred our solution to the column to be cleaned by filtering, then centrifuged our samples. The solution at the bottom of the collection tube was discarded, as the DNA was a caught in the white filter of the column. To further clean the samples and remove any excess salt, we washed some QG buffer and PE buffer through our solution. Finally, we added EB to the column in order to wash the DNA through for collection. The DNA (now isolated to the VMAT-2 gene) was then sent to a laboratory at the University of Minnesota to be sequenced.
Results
The purpose of the PCR was to amplify the DNA containing the VMAT2 gene. There is not a clear way to measure the efficiency of this reaction without creating a way to isolate the VMAT2 gene. To do this, the experimenters used the process of gel electrophoresis. The original cheek cell concentration would not be sufficient to display a visible product on the agarose gel, but if the product was PCR amplified there should be a clear band that traveled further than the other bands on the gel after undergoing electrophoresis. Indeed, our gel displays a clear, visible PCR product about halfway down the gel at a position consistent with the predicted size of the PCR product (341 bp). Below is an image of the gel. On the far left is the sample 1kb ladder as a guide to show how far the DNA samples have traveled during electrophoresis. After a gap, the three lanes represent the three experimenters DNA samples, each with visible PCR product.
Below are the results of the gene sequencing. The larger allele frequency bar on each graph represents the more common, less spiritually inclined variant of both the general population (expected) and the 38 Bethel students (observed). Similarly, the smaller allele frequency bar on each graph represents the rare variation that supposedly aides in individual's spiritual awareness. The higher one allele frequency is, the lower the other will be for a given population. For this reason, we will only focus our efforts on one allele frequency, the minor (less frequent) allele.
Figure 1. C (Cytosine) and T (Thymine) Variations at Position 52. 13.2% of the average population expressed the minor allele T at position 52 in the VMAT2 gene sequence. Bethel students displayed T allele frequency at a rate of 7.4%, a value lower than what is seen in the average population.
Figure 2. T (Thymine) and C (Cytosine) Variations at Position 54. 19.7% of the average population expressed the minor allele C at position 54 in the VMAT2 gene sequence. Bethel students displayed C allele frequency at a rate of 30.9%, a value higher than what is seen in the average population.
Figure 3. A (Adenine) and C (Cytosine) Variations at Position 71. 19.7% of the average population expressed the minor allele C at position 71 in the VMAT2 gene sequence. Bethel students displayed C allele frequency at a rate of 29.2%, a value higher than what is seen in the average population.
In summary, Bethel students had one minor allele frequency (number 52) lower than the average population and two minor allele frequencies (numbers 52 & 71) higher than the average population. To determine if either of these values were of significance, expected and observed minor allele frequencies were compared using a Chi Square. This yielded a significance value of 0.1515. The significance was not <0.05, thus the null hypothesis was accepted and the alternative hypothesis was rejected. Bethel students do not vary significantly from the general population in terms of relevant minor VMAT2 allele frequencies.
Discussion
Although it is easy to jump to conclusions about the results
of this experiment, it is important to clarify aspects of the experimental
design. The goal of this experiment was not to prove whether or not God
predestines us for salvation through genetics, which is a common misconception.
Not even Hamer himself postulated that his discovery could prove or disprove
God and how God works in the natural world. His hypothesis was only to see if
this gene was linked to an increase in spiritual sensitivity. The purpose of our
experiment was to use Dr. Hamer's experimental design to test the frequency of
the VMAT-2 gene in Bethel University students, and to see if Bethel students had a higher probability to
be sensitive to spiritual enlightenment, assuming Hamer's hypothesis was
correct. As
Christian biologists, it is important to use the Bible to test any scientific theory to make sure it does not contradict any aspect of God's Word. In the context of this experiment,
the key question to ask is: Does the Bible show that God is actively involved
with the natural world to work for His will? The answer is yes. The entire Old
Testament is filled with examples of God's intervention through nature in the
lives of the Israelites. God used nature to send the ten plagues on Egypt. God used
Moses to part the Red Sea to allow the
Israelites to cross safely. God even changed the natural order by sending bread
from heaven, called manna. Knowing that God can manipulate nature for His will,
the next question to ask is: Does God use human DNA to influence spirituality?
By using past trends of God's behavior, the best assumption we can make is
that; yes, God does use DNA to influence spirituality. In definition, God is
all powerful, all-knowing, and always present. There is nothing that can cannot
do or use for His glory, including the makeup of DNA. The Bible is filled with
examples of God changing the minds and spirits of people. It even says that, "… anyone who belongs to Christ has
become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 1
Corinthians 5:17b. This, however, does not prove that God has predestined
us through our DNA for salvation. The Bible is explicit in saying that "For by grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."
Ephesians 2:8. With this understanding, it is easier to assess the claims
of Hamer in his experiment. The possibility of God creating a gene to influence
spiritual sensitivity is truly plausible and not beyond God's personality.
However, if God chose to do this, we must assume that He did this for a
specific reason to be able to play an active role in the lives of His creation.
Ultimately though, the results this experiment is a preliminary analysis of a
very complex aspect of our creation and should be experimented further to
produce more concrete results and conclusions.
Conclusion
In this experiment, we used our DNA from our own cheek cells with which to analyze. We then used PCR to multiply the DNA for the VMAT-2 gene. Using this amplified DNA, we used a process known as gel electrophoresis and analysis to single out the VMAT-2 strand for the gene. We then sent these strands to an analysis lab to test the DNA. The results came back and showed each person's DNA sequence. The analysis of these data and a x-squared value showed that there was no statistical significance between the national average of alleles frequency found by Hamer and the allele frequency of Bethel students. Through this conclusion, we could accept the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the allele frequency between Bethel students and the average.