We all know that some people do not seemas emotionally strong as otherswhen life gets difficult.But why is that?A study published in two thousand threein the journal Science offered an answer.The study followedalmost eight hundred fifty peoplefrom birth through age twenty-six.Researchers found that thosewith a short version of a certain genewere more likely to get depressedafter a sad or difficult experience.They found that peoplewith the normal length of the genewere better able to weather life's storms.The gene is a transporter of serotonin,a brain chemical involved with moodand desire for food.The two thousand three studycaptured attentionamong mental health professionals,and popular culture.In fact,Science magazine recognizedthe discovery of "genes for mental illness"as the number two "Breakthrough of the Year."The winner was observationsabout mysteries of the universe.Last week,however,other researchers publishedfindings of a large new study.They report finding no linkbetween the serotonin transporter geneand the risk of depression.The findings appeared in the Journalof the American Medical Association.Neil Risch is directorof the University of California,San Francisco,Institute for Human Geneticsand a leader of the new study.He says the earlier studygained so much recognition,it became -- in his words"fixed in many people's minds as true."The National Institute of Mental Healthand Kaiser Permanente Northern Californiaalso took part in the latest study.The researchers used informationfrom fourteen studies involvingmore than fourteen thousand patients.The scientists examined the datausing the same measuresas the two thousand three study.They found that the risk of depressionwas not higher among thosewith the shorter gene.But they also foundthat stressful events themselves did appearto increase the risk for depression.Neuroscientist Avshalom Caspi,then at Kings College London,led the two thousand three study.He is now at Duke Universityin North Carolina.He has criticized the new studyas incomplete.He says it ignores evidencethat supports the original research.Peter Zandi is a genetic researcherat John Hopkins University Schoolof Public Health in Maryland.He agrees that this latest studyis not the final word."After many years of trying to figure outwhat is going onwith the genetic cause of depression,we're still not there yet."And that's the VOA Special EnglishHealth Report,written by Caty Weaver.