DNA and Behavioral Genetics - Robert Plomin

Behavioral geneticist Robert Plomin on twin studies, genetic influence of parents on their children, and 1% of DNA that makes people different

[Flyingtaco]

My brother and I are a classic example of the genetics of intelligence. We are both adopted, from completely different families. My brother is a literal genius. I, on the other hand, have two learning disabilities, and have struggled my entire life. It’s definitely in the genes. We grew up in the same household.

[TheOnLeftBehind]

What a great video. He explains this so well in layman’s terms. I’m a relatively new neuroscientist myself, but my background is in behavioral neuroscience and biobehavioral health science. I just got a new job in the industry for an interdisciplinary neuroscience lab that combines behavioral genetics, behavioral pharmacology, and molecular and cellular biology to examine a perinatal animal model of schizophrenia. I was a bit nervous about joining because I have no molecular experience (they’re going to train me), but this video got me even more excited!

[jill]

So true - I started reading late in grade 3 and both of my (genetic) kids started reading at the same age (late by school standards). All of us are avid readers now and have no learning problems. For whatever reason it just ‘clicked’ a little later for us.

[mohamedelnaggar]

Genetic realism is inevitable, for me it's the new salvation of humanity

[ThuyNguyen-buge]

The best outcome: we help each other by understanding more about genetics. The world becomes a better place when we recognize each other's differences as biological and not necessarily by choice, for example, learning speed.

The worse outcome: we discriminate each other and shove people into inferior places based on their genetics - relationships, jobs, society, etc.

The most horrible outcome: we believe that we are helpless and powerless against changing our lives based on our genetics, and thus we don't even try anymore - we accept the "fate". We give up our free will by choice and live life passively.

[jameseldridge]

I think genes play a bigger role in life then we like to give credit for. From eating habits, morality/conscienceless, educational attainment, even religious and political affiliation. Modern science has turned away from heritability because it puts nature above humans, when it’s much more emotionally appealing to feel that we can control outcomes in life. Biology has always suggested otherwise…

[KRYPTOS_K]

Poor Plommin... He is a bright and brave psychologist in the wrong Era...
Brasil

[zs]

Politician's don't want to talk about this

[susanmaddison]

Facts, one found, should lead to whatever conclusions would be honestly reached without preordained biases about the conclusions. It should not lead to preordained conclusions that are thrown up fit current narratives and preferences.

[crxdelsolsir]

We hear his message saying by identifying these traits early intervention can be made to improve the condition earlier and more effective.
However, in reality this type of information can and will be used negatively to group people that naturally are better and be pre selected before the others (less trial and error) reducing costs.
Imagine being able to identify a great driver (for Formula 1) saving millions, identifying a great foot baller or great scientists (for scholarships) reducing wasted costs or denying a person insurance coverage due to their probability to have a medical condition.
In short, the possibility of using the same fact and information not to benefit the individual is the reason why this study is not popular with the political correct group. Not that their intention may be malicious but it opens a pandoras box where the benefit may not be the benefit anticipated and for the group it was originally planned for.

[mycount]

i learned somewhere that in wester society illiteracy is the single best indicator that a child will end up in poverty. what about weeding out those with the highest potential to succeed in areas and encourage that. he is focusing on failure it sounds in an effort to create equivalence of outcomes. which is not the way to succeed.

[ThePapawhisky]

I like Dr Plomin’s idea of targeted interventions for those that need them most, for reading disability for example. And the interventions are intense (re: expensive). I live in a country that takes public school money and allows it to be used in charter schools—often with religious goals. The public schools are stripped for parts. The foreseeable outcome is that targeted interventions will be based more on zip code than on genetically tested need.

[TheEternalHermit]

Jesus Christ, all of these comments. No one walks up to an engineer and says "oh you've designed a bridge, what about harmonics, betcha didn't think of that!". If it took you 5 seconds to think of something, why do you think that the discipline hasn't dealt with these sorts of questions?

[andycobraaor]

Professor;

Thanks for your insights, great job, it is very complex to understand Genes behavior, I will do the best I can to try to understand Gene behavior. Reason been is because I have finished 4 tour in Iraq, Afghanistan, just retired from the military and I can feel that I am not the same person as before. I have lost the interest in things that I like to do, feel depress and feel anger alot. Trying to investigate how to train my Genes back to where I was before. Anyways, thanks.

Respectfully;
Ortiz, Andy
War Veteran disable
Texas

[LC-hvqn]

If you don't eat crap you won't gain weight. I have trained many people. Yes it is all will power.

[ChristopherWalkenPUA]

Is this why we always see the same group of people rioting and burning down buildings?

[TheLastOutlaw]

As an education major (I haven’t even graduated yet) but based on my anecdotal experience with elementary level students I realize that 1. Parental involvement is KEY to success in school and 2. Learning is MOSTLY genetic….I know kids from rich backgrounds both parents are bosses, these kids get good lunches, all access to technology and learning resources but can’t even identify basic 2 letter sight words like “so”……


I went to the highest ranking secondary school/high school in my country….and there were boys from all backgrounds there….guys who came from poor families, ghetto environments who were smart AF especially in math. No one can fool me I know 90% of kids are never leaving special ed

[aemthakur]

My father has great memory. He is like a walking wikipedia.
I don't have that kind of photographic memory. I understand things but don't remember things like him.

I am an engineer, not a neurologist but I believe that memory and intelligence can be better understood by quantum mechanics and not by standard sampling methods he is talking about.

Even behaviour is influenced by others.

Some kind of Astral body transfer of properties.

[nurbsenvi]

I don't know, do we really need to tell 90% of the people that they are probably not good enough and most likely not make it?

[tinagvardanyan]

We know that genes influence behavior. But can the reverse also be true? i.e. can behavior influence genes? And I don't mean that in the Darwinian sense of natural selection, where environment predominantly controls genetic expression. I am referring more to the individual's choice of modifying a gene's expression by the strategic control of their behavior - their emotional as well as outward reactions to the stimuli in their environment.