Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Interviewing underage teenage boys about drinking needed the full approval of local hospital ethical committees overseeing the research at the eight centres in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany.
The boys were recruited from local high schools and were promised complete anonymity. Even their parents, who had to give their approval, were not allowed to see the boys’ answers to the researchers’ questionnaires.
The boys were also asked to give samples of DNA for genetic analysis, which revealed which variations of the RASGRF-2 “thrill seeking” gene they carried. Their patterns of brain activity were monitored by hospital MRI scanners to see which parts of the brain were activated in the presence of certain stimuli that simulated the anticipation of a reward.
The scientists also asked the parents of the boys to complete questionnaires to assess their own attitudes to alcohol use, which could be used to see whether there was a family history of heavy drinking. Some of the questionnaires were completed on-line, some during face-to-face interviews with the researchers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments