‘The Press’ – Urge for Thrills ‘Genetic’ article

Published on Saturday, June 17th, 2006, under Media

The Press – June 17, 2006 –

When daredevil Ellis Emmett was rescued from a disastrous attempt to cross Cook Strait in a tiny sailing boat with broom handle and plywood oars, he could have blamed it all on his genes.

The latest research shows risk takers are hostage to their genetic make-up — and that thrill-seeking is just a part of who they are.

The gene was identified by American scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, after looking at risk- taking behaviour in mice.

Cook Strait Sailboat – However, Emmett, from Cheviot, stands by what he said after his rescue in strong winds and 100km from land — that the trip, described by police as “a foolish escapade”, was his chosen “antidote to life”, rather than a risk taker’s compulsion.

“My belief is that you’re not born with the gene. It’s something inside that’s created. For me, it’s about freedom.

“It’s about challenging yourself physically and mentally and, when you do this, you use that knowledge in every other facet of your life.”

Emmett, an entrepreneur who is building his own house without any construction experience, said the ill-fated trip in April, in a 3.5m dinghy, was one of the less dangerous stunts he had attempted.

“If you’re on a mountain with a 2000ft drop below you, you’re not thinking about your mortgage. You’re not worrying about anything else except living and breathing,” Emmett, 33, said.

Anne Inglis, wife of double amputee Mark Inglis, who climbed Mount Everest last month, said she believed genes or “something” about her husband kept him in the habit of being a daredevil.

“I don’t know whether I’d call it a gene. There’s something there.”

However, she said his need for risk-taking did not overrule trying to ensure his survival through careful preparations and precautions.

“There’s daring and daring.

– Elenor Wilson –