This article has focused on questions about the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences on alcoholism. However, such questions are only a starting point for behavioral genetic research on alcoholism. Understanding more about how genes and environment act, co-act, and interact to determine differences in alcoholism risk remains a key goal of ongoing twin and adoption studies. Meanwhile, the evidence from twin and adoption studies has provided researchers with the impetus to investigate other methods of genetic alcoholism research, such as molecular genetics studies and the development of animal models. Together, these endeavors will continue to shed light on the genetic contribution to alcoholism.
