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In my Bio class, we were watching a video on genetics. During the last part of the video, some scientists were talking about how they seem to have discovered a gene that codes for "religiousness." What do you think about this? Has anyone heard anything similar?

So wait, do you mean a gene that actually determines if a person is religious or not? I haven't heard that one, but I've heard that scientists have gone back in DNA somehow and they can link all of it to two people... or something like that. I think I heard it from Luke, actually (the source of all my information, pretty much ).

I think it was like there's a gene that determines how religious a person is...

I've heard about this. Dr. Hamer, right?
Basically, his theory is that there is a gene that would give those who have it a predisposition to "feeling spiritual" which could mean getting caught up in worship, a sense of connection to something bigger than oneself, etc.
So it doesn't (in theory) determine whether or not you believe in God, but it would perhaps influence how it is that you experienced God.
Some use this to prove that God doesn't exist and that "religious experiences" are little more than a genetic chemical reaction. I would argue that if his hypothesis is true, than this is one of the mechanisms which God created for us to respond to him.
It would make sense to me that if I wanted to create a way to light the room I would also create a switch to turn on that light. You wouldn't watch the light come on and then say, "Oh, I see, you installed a switch, well that means the light doesn't exist."
In the same way, to say that we have a gene or "switch" for "religious experience" doesn't, to me, automatically invalidate the authenticity of that experience.
So, to sum up in far more approachable language, if a gene does exist that helps people experience God, it makes perfect sense to me that it would be something God built in.

What about the people who don't have the gene? Are they just doomed from the beginning then/are they not as special as others?

You're assuming that "religious experience" means better faith.
I think it is more like how some people cry more easily than others. Crying relieves stress and makes you feel better, it is something that is handy in life. Some people cry monthly, others go for years in between good cries. That doesn't mean that the person who cries less often is any less capable of crying, just that they are less inclined to that particular emotional outburst. Does that make sense? (This is all just my opinion, of course).

I think what I was wondering is, if there's a gene that lets people have better "religious experiences" or more of them, or come closer to God more often or more easily, why wouldn't He switch it on in everyone? Maybe first I should ask you what exactly you mean by "religious experience." I think I'm confused on that point. And on your metaphor.