ARE FINGERPRINTS A GENETIC-MARKER FOR HANDEDNESS

Fingerprints and handedness were measured in 2169 subjects. Left-hande rs were more likely to have an increased number of arches and radial l oops, while having fewer whorls and lower pattern intensity than right -handers. Analyzing by hand and digit, the differences were most marke d on the left hand, which showed significant differences on four of th e five digits which were related to handedness. On the right-hand, han dedness was associated with fingerprint patterns only on digit IV (rin g finger). This finding suggests a genetic mechanism in the developmen t of handedness and may provide a means of separating pathological fro m natural left-handers.