Its official name is DRD4-7R, although it is popularly known as "the explorer gene." In other words, it refers to the variant attached to DNA that promotes the search for the unknown, the love for adventure, and the desire to travel the world to have new experiences. Do you think you have it? It may be because it affects one in five people, that is, 20% of the population, although it is believed that only 10% have it active. What is clear, according to numerous studies in the field of behavioral genetics, is that these individuals have a greater predisposition to intellectual curiosity, which has driven our ancestors to cross borders and discover new horizons.
Not surprisingly, it is more common in the descendants of the first immigrants who crossed long distances centuries ago in search of better opportunities. Historical figures like Thomas Cook, the cartographer and navigator of the British Royal Navy, or the conqueror Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus), could have had the 7R in their DNA.
Applied to tourism, this variant, identified as such in 1996, not only encourages travel but also to understand the local culture, participate in the daily life of its inhabitants, and enjoy each experience in a deep and transformative way. "In reality, the gene itself is DRD4, something we all have associated with chromosome 11. The 7R is the variant that regulates dopamine, the neurotransmitter of pleasure and reward, so its carriers have a greater propensity to live novel experiences compared to other individuals," explains Miguel Pita, a research professor in Genetics at the Department of Biology of the Autonomous University of Madrid.
To find out if one has this heritage in their body, a simple test through a saliva sample is enough. That said, attention, world adventurers who test positive, because you can participate in a unique adventure, the personalized design of a different way to explore Tenerife with a group of local experts through the so-called Explorer Gene Route. The pioneering initiative "seeks to show the most sustainable and conscious side of the island, highlighting its diversity of tourist proposals that invite to reconnect with the essence of traveling," as stated by Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tourism of Tenerife, during the project presentation.
The idea is to show that the Canary Islands are much more than sun, beach, and partying, opting for a responsible combination of nature, sports, gastronomy, and culture. "Exploring is a drive that in Tenerife takes on a special meaning due to the great diversity of experiences it offers. By collaborating with these natural-born adventurers, we aim to define the experiences that best represent us as a destination," adds Melwani. Pita, on the other hand, sees positively "the combination of science and tourism," as it has been shown that these individuals have a common denominator that can be used beyond clinical research, "generating an interesting dialogue about human nature."
So, those who want to become official testers and experience firsthand the best experiences of the island that will later be included in the route must undergo the genetic test for free first. For this purpose, the itinerant laboratoryGen Explorer Lab has been launched in collaboration with LabGenetics, first in Madrid and in the following days will reach Malaga (April 22), Bilbao (28), and Lisbon (30). Those who cannot physically go to the established points can request a test through the project's website, where all the steps to follow are detailed.
Those participants who have the 7R and are selected will travel to the island to bring that special sensitivity towards exploration and identify the best plans as only they know how.