Confounding Fuels Misinterpretation in Human Genetics DOI Creative Commons
John W. Benning, Jedidiah Carlson, Olivia S. Smith

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 3, 2023

The scientific literature has seen a resurgence of interest in genetic influences on human behavior and socioeconomic outcomes. Such studies face the central difficulty distinguishing possible causal influences, particular non-genetic ones. When confounding between is not rigorously addressed, it invites over- misinterpretation data. We illustrate breadth this problem through discussion reanalysis two examples. Clark (2023) suggested that patterns similarity social status relatives indicate largely determined by one's DNA. show paper's conclusions are based conflation transmission, such as wealth, within families. Song & Zhang (2024) posited variants underlying bisexual maintained population because they also affect risk-taking behavior, thereby conferring an evolutionary fitness advantage increased sexual promiscuity. In case, too, we explanations cannot be distinguished, but only one chosen presented conclusion. discuss how issues apply more broadly to claim establish underpinnings societal

Language: Английский

Confounding Fuels Misinterpretation in Human Genetics DOI Creative Commons
John W. Benning, Jedidiah Carlson, Olivia S. Smith

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 3, 2023

The scientific literature has seen a resurgence of interest in genetic influences on human behavior and socioeconomic outcomes. Such studies face the central difficulty distinguishing possible causal influences, particular non-genetic ones. When confounding between is not rigorously addressed, it invites over- misinterpretation data. We illustrate breadth this problem through discussion reanalysis two examples. Clark (2023) suggested that patterns similarity social status relatives indicate largely determined by one's DNA. show paper's conclusions are based conflation transmission, such as wealth, within families. Song & Zhang (2024) posited variants underlying bisexual maintained population because they also affect risk-taking behavior, thereby conferring an evolutionary fitness advantage increased sexual promiscuity. In case, too, we explanations cannot be distinguished, but only one chosen presented conclusion. discuss how issues apply more broadly to claim establish underpinnings societal

Language: Английский

Citations

3