Righty or Lefty? It's Largely Genetic, Study Suggests
The researchers did so by looking at developing embryos.
"The genes are involved in the biological process through which an early embryo moves on from being a round ball of cells and becomes a growing organism with an established left and right side," study first author William Brandler, a doctoral student in the functional genomics unit at Oxford University in England, said in a university news release.
This gene network also may help establish left-right differences in the brain, which in turn influence whether a person is left- or right-handed, according to the study, published Sept. 12 in the journal PLoS Genetics.
These findings, however, don't completely explain right- and left-handed differences in people, the researchers said.
"As with all aspects of human behavior, nature and nurture go hand-in-hand," Brandler said. "The development of handedness derives from a mixture of genes, environment and cultural pressure to conform to right-handedness."
About 90 percent of people are right-handed. Humans are the only species with such a strong bias in handedness.
More information
Fertilization occurs in the vagina, instead of petri dish, researchers say Credit: HealthDay
The Nemours Foundation has more about being left-handed.
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Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
