The genetics of hand-clasping a review and a familial study

Bibliographic Data

ID14679590
AuthorsM Reiss (corresponding author)
Year1999
Volume26
Issue1
Pages39-48
Publication date1999-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnnals of Human Biology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0301-4460 • E-ISSN: 1464-5033
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/030144699282967
PMID9974082
OpenAlexW2141836053
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited12

Hand-clasping refers to the preferential tendency for individuals to clasp the hands together. This paper reviews the previous literature on family data and twins, and reports new data. In this study about 55% of the population are left-hand-claspers, 44% are right-hand-claspers, and the remaining 1% report that they have no preference or are indifferent. Familial data suggest that hand-clasping may be under genetic control: although the data do not fit any straightforward recessive or dominant Mendelian model, they are compatible with the type of model invoking fluctuating asymmetry which has been used to explain the inheritance of handedness and arm-folding. It is possible that hand-clasping, as for example arm-folding, may be an idiosyncrasy due to or influenced by physical bilateral differences in the hands. All data together are suggestive of a genetic basis, although environmental influences are also evident

Biology · Heritability · Mendelian inheritance · Population · Demography · Genetics and Physical Performance · Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience · Genetics

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