l be no consequences.’ (455). These types of ads are a major part of the problem with the underage consumption of alcohol. Despite what the industry claims, these ads are directed towards children, especially when they are showing up in the advertising for children’s movies and television shows.However, social drinking and unethical advertising are not the only speculated causes of underage drinking. Some sources feel that genetics and heredity play a major role in the issue. It is quite plausible that our children are also susceptible to such disorders as alcoholism due to genetics. Some people have a genetic or biological tendency towards alcoholism (“Causes”). Current research studies have shown that people from alcoholic parents are four times more likely to become alcoholics (“Causes”). Cynthia Steele and Judy Williams, counselors of adolescents and recovering alcoholics at Ridgeview Institute in Atlanta, see how alcoholism runs in families and how just living around it can lead youngsters down the same path (“Research”). But to cement this scientific theory into scientific fact, we need hard-core proof. Researchers have identified two genes in laboratory animals, one for males, and one for females, which may link alcoholism to genetics (“Research”). Dr. David Goldman of the National Institute of Health, states, “the genetic link to alcoholism is apparent in humans also” (“Research”). Many experts agree with Dr. Goldman. They feel that genetics does play some part in alcoholism, however, environmental upbringing, stress, and hardships also add to the cause. Kenneth Blum, Ph.D., of the University of Texas, and Earnest Noble, M.D., of the University of California, conducted another study looking for such an “alcoholism gene” in 1990 (Peele 50). Their study found an allele of the dopamine receptor gene in 70 percent of a grou...
