Do you start fights when wasted? Are you a pugnacious drunk? Does a beer sometimes come to fisticuffs? According to a recent study, this may be the fault of genetics.

The Telegraph reports:

Alcohol appears to trigger violent behaviour in people who have a particular overactive gene.

The MAOA gene produces an enzyme that breaks down brain chemicals involved with mood.

When alcohol is mixed with high levels of the enzyme it can create a 'dangerous cocktail', according to new research.

The finding raises the possibility that people could be screened for the gene and offered treatment, behavioural therapy or be warned to abstain from alcohol.

The discovery emerged from a study of 174 Finnish alcoholic male offenders with histories of violence. Drinking was found to increase the risk of impulsive violence among individuals born with a highly active version of the MAOA gene.

Of course, these findings do not condone drunk violence amongst those with the overactive MAOA gene. So don’t even try that excuse, you saucy lush!