Being nice may be linked to genes.

New research at the University of Buffalo and UC Irvine found that a person's genes, along with upbringing, may help determine level of kindness in people.

Researchers found that certain hormones that inspire love and generosity are higer in some people than others, reported Post Media News.

The study surveyed over 700 people about their feelings toward charitable activities, civic duties and other views on taxes, reporting crime, giving blood and volunteering.

The subjects provided saliva samples for DNA analysis in order to show levels of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin – both considered to be linked to love and kindness when they flood our brains.

According to Science Daily, lead author Michael Poulin of the University of Buffalo, said that the study was an attempt to apply earlier findings to see if these chemicals provoke other forms of good behavior such as paying taxes and reporting crimes.

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"The study found that these genes combined with people's perceptions of the world as a more or less threatening place to predict generosity," Poulin said, according to Post Media News.

"Specifically, study participants who found the world threatening were less likely to help others — unless they had versions of the receptor genes that are generally associated with niceness."

Poulin said that the study does not negate the importance of nurture in good behavior.

A study performed last year by scientists in Scotland found that identical twins, who are 100 percent of the same genetic make-up, had much more similar attitudes toward so called 'good' or 'sociable' behavior than did fraternal twins, who had the same upbringing but shared only 50 percent of their genes, reported Mother Nature Network.