Genetics of psychic ability - A pilot case-control exome sequencing study
Helané Wahbeh1, Dean Radin1, Garret Yount1
1Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA.
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
|March 13, 2021
Summary
Genetic analysis of psychic ability suggests a potential link to a specific gene variation. This finding, while preliminary, opens avenues for understanding the biological underpinnings of psychic traits.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Psychic ability is often considered a heritable trait, suggesting a genetic component.
- Identifying a genetic marker could inform methods to influence psychic abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential genetic factors associated with psychic ability using a case-control study.
- To identify biological markers for psychic phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Screened over 3,000 individuals globally for self-reported psychic ability and family history.
- Selected 13 psychic cases and 10 matched controls after rigorous screening and interviews.
- Performed whole-exome sequencing on participant DNA and analyzed both coding and non-coding regions.
Main Results:
- No variations in protein-coding sequences (exons) differentiated psychic cases from controls.
- A significant difference was found in a non-coding region (intron) of the TNRC18 gene on chromosome 7.
- A specific GG to GA variation in this intron was present in 7 of 9 controls and absent in all psychic cases.
Conclusions:
- The observed genetic variation in the TNRC18 gene intron is a preliminary finding that warrants further investigation.
- While results could be due to population sampling, they are provocative and suggest a potential biological basis for psychic ability.
- Further research is needed to replicate and extend these findings on genetic associations with psychic traits.
Keywords:
Cross-cultural sociogeneticsExome sequencingExtended human capacitiesFamilial traitsNoncoding dnaPsychicMore Related Videos
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