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The role of inheritance in behavior.
1Center for Developmental and Health Genetics, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 13, 1990
Summary
Genetic factors significantly influence behavior, but multiple genes with small effects, not single major genes, are typically involved. New strategies are needed to identify DNA markers for complex behavioral traits.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral genetics
- Molecular biology
- Quantitative genetics
Background:
- Behavioral traits in animals and humans have a significant hereditary component.
- Genetic variance for behavioral dimensions and disorders typically explains less than 50% of phenotypic variance.
- Complex behavioral traits are influenced by multiple genes with small additive effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of inheritance in behavior.
- To discuss the implications of multigenetic control for identifying DNA markers.
- To highlight the need for new strategies in behavioral genetics research.
Main Methods:
- Review of selection and strain studies in animal behavior.
- Review of twin and adoption studies in human behavior.
- Discussion of molecular biology techniques for genetic research.
Main Results:
- Inheritance is a major determinant of behavior, but rarely accounts for over half of the variation.
- Multiple genes with small effects, rather than major genes, are implicated in behavioral variation.
- Identifying DNA markers for behavioral traits is challenging due to polygenic control and nongenetic influences.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the genetic basis of behavior requires acknowledging the polygenic nature of traits.
- Molecular biology offers powerful tools for genetic research, but new strategies are essential for detecting small-effect DNA markers.
- Future research must integrate genetic and nongenetic factors to fully elucidate the inheritance of behavior.