Whether you vote conservative or liberal could be the result of your genes, according to a published report
UCSD political science professor James Fowler told KPBS that liberal or conservative politics might run in your family. Political leanings might be a factor of your environment or social influences, but Fowler said that genes are a factor, too. He said that his research shows that people who have a certain dopamine receptor are more likely to be liberal. It's the same receptor that's been associated with novelty-seeking behavior. But, Fowler adds, this genetic variant only affects the politics of certain people.
It's not as straightforward as "having this gene automatically means you are liberal," according to Fowler, but he said that the gene does have an impact on how people interact with the environment.
