Preprint / Version 1

Hand Preference: Genetics and Evolution

##article.authors##

  • Prakriti Virmani Polygence

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.2402

Keywords:

Handedness, Hand Preference

Abstract

The trait of Handedness influences our daily activities like eating, tool use, and writing. Scientists have been interested in hand preference for many years, yet many aspects of it remain unknown. The purpose of this paper is to examine what is currently known about the genetic factors that contribute to handedness and explore different perspectives on how this trait may have evolved by utilizing currently existing scientific research and reviews. It is important to note that while research had identified estimated genetic contribution and uncovered evidence relating to its evolution, a lot of questions do remain unanswered. 

References

Balter, Michael. (2009, August 18). The origins of handedness. Www.science.org. https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/origins-handedness

Corballis M. C. (1997). The genetics and evolution of handedness. Psychological review, 104(4), 714–727. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9337630/

Cochet, H., & Byrne, R. W. (2013). Evolutionary origins of human handedness: evaluating contrasting hypotheses. Animal cognition, 16(4), 531–542. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3684717/

De Kovel, C. G. F., Carrión-Castillo, A., & Francks, C. (2019). A large-scale population study of early life factors influencing left-handedness. Scientific reports, 9(1), 584. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-37423-8

Francks, C., Maegawa, S., Laurén, J., Abrahams, B. S., Velayos-Baeza, A., Medland, S. E., Colella, S., Groszer, M., McAuley, E.Z., Caffrey, T. M., Timmusk, T., Pruunsild, P., Koppel, I., Lind, P. A., Matsumoto-Itaba, N., Nicod, J., Xiong, L., Joober, R., Enard, W., Krinsky, B., … Monaco, A. P. (2007). LRRTM1 on chromosome 2p12 is a maternally suppressed gene that is associated paternally with handedness and schizophrenia. Molecular psychiatry, 12(12), 1129–1057. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2990633/

Goldman, J. G. (2014). Evolution: Why Are Most of Us Right-Handed? Www.bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20141215-why-are-most-of-us-right-handed

Medline Plus. (2020, September 17). Is handedness determined by genetics?: MedlinePlus Genetics. Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/handedness/

Downloads

Posted

2025-03-30

Categories