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Addressing genetic essentialism: Sharpening context in behavior genetics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 September 2023

Brian Byrne Open the ORCID record for Brian Byrne [Opens in a new window]  and
Richard K. Olson
Brian Byrne
Affiliation:
University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia bbyrne@une.edu.au www.une.edu.au/staff-profiles/hass/bbyrne
Richard K. Olson
Affiliation:
Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA richard.olson@colorado.edu www.colorado.edu/ibg/richard-k-olson
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Abstract

Evidence of a causal role for genes in human behavior underpins genetic essentialism, the scientifically flawed and socially hazardous idea that heritable characteristics are immutable. Behavior geneticists can challenge this idea by designing research that brings the contextual dependence of heritability estimates into sharper focus, and by incorporating a relevant statement into research reports and public outreach.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 46 , 2023 , e187
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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