Scientists have discovered a "liberal gene" that, combined with an active adolescent social life, appears to correlate with liberal political views. And you thought you made your own choices about your politics! Ha, ha, not according to science.

A new study found that people with a dopamine receptor gene called DRD4 are more likely to be liberal as adults. But that's only if they weren't dweebo losers in high school!

"It is the crucial interaction of two factors—the genetic predisposition and the environmental condition of having many friends in adolescence—that is associated with being more liberal," according to the study. "These findings suggest that political affiliation is not based solely on the kind of social environment people experience," said [UCSD Professor James] Fowler, who is a professor of political science and medical genetics.

DRD4 is also "associated with novelty-seeking," which is why liberals love carnivals and souvenirs. (Kidding! It's why liberals vote for candidates who might actually be Kenyan citizens. What a novelty!)

In any event, when people ask you why you vote Democratic/Green/Wobbly/LaRouche, you can now tell them that it's your genetic destiny. Also, you can tell conservatives that Harvard researchers say they didn't have any friends in high school.

[Wonkette; NBC San Diego]