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Nature, nurture and socioeconomic policy-What can we learn from molecular genetics?

Lundborg, Petter LU and Stenberg, Anders (2010) In Economics and Human Biology 8. p.320-330
Abstract
Many countries use public resources to compensate individuals with genetic disorders, identified by behaviors/symptoms such as chronic diseases and disabilities. This paper draws attention to molecular genetic research which may provide a new dimension to our understanding of how socioeconomic outcomes are generated. We provide an overview of the recently emerging evidence of gene-environment interaction effects. This literature points out specific areas where policies may compensate groups of individuals carrying genetic risks, without the need to identify anyone's genetic endowments. Moreover, epigenetics studies, which concern heritable changes in gene functions that occur independently of the DNA sequence, have shown that environments... (More)
Many countries use public resources to compensate individuals with genetic disorders, identified by behaviors/symptoms such as chronic diseases and disabilities. This paper draws attention to molecular genetic research which may provide a new dimension to our understanding of how socioeconomic outcomes are generated. We provide an overview of the recently emerging evidence of gene-environment interaction effects. This literature points out specific areas where policies may compensate groups of individuals carrying genetic risks, without the need to identify anyone's genetic endowments. Moreover, epigenetics studies, which concern heritable changes in gene functions that occur independently of the DNA sequence, have shown that environments may affect heritable traits across generations. It means that policies which neutralize adverse environments may also increase intergenerational mobility, given that genetic and/or environmental risk factors are more common in socially disadvantaged groups. (Less)
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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Economics and Human Biology
volume
8
pages
320 - 330
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • wos:000285491800004
  • pmid:20833117
  • scopus:78349307877
  • pmid:20833117
ISSN
1873-6130
DOI
10.1016/j.ehb.2010.08.002
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
83f5b573-f48c-4b58-99a5-026cdefa5bc0 (old id 1688300)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 10:57:02
date last changed
2022-01-26 04:08:57
@article{83f5b573-f48c-4b58-99a5-026cdefa5bc0,
  abstract     = {{Many countries use public resources to compensate individuals with genetic disorders, identified by behaviors/symptoms such as chronic diseases and disabilities. This paper draws attention to molecular genetic research which may provide a new dimension to our understanding of how socioeconomic outcomes are generated. We provide an overview of the recently emerging evidence of gene-environment interaction effects. This literature points out specific areas where policies may compensate groups of individuals carrying genetic risks, without the need to identify anyone's genetic endowments. Moreover, epigenetics studies, which concern heritable changes in gene functions that occur independently of the DNA sequence, have shown that environments may affect heritable traits across generations. It means that policies which neutralize adverse environments may also increase intergenerational mobility, given that genetic and/or environmental risk factors are more common in socially disadvantaged groups.}},
  author       = {{Lundborg, Petter and Stenberg, Anders}},
  issn         = {{1873-6130}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{320--330}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Economics and Human Biology}},
  title        = {{Nature, nurture and socioeconomic policy-What can we learn from molecular genetics?}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2010.08.002}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.ehb.2010.08.002}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}