This is not your classic nature versus nurture course. Recent advancements in human genomics afford potentially powerful new tools to integrate genetic measures into the life sciences. We aim to reconcile two traditionally opposing explanatory factors: (1) the significance of genes in human development, and (2) the impact of environments on human development. In this seminar, we will discuss research applying genetic methods to the study of individual differences in cognition, education, mental health, and aging. We introduce DNA-based measures of complex human traits that have materialized in the era of big data genome sequencing as well as efforts to modify genomic outcomes. We will consider current methodological limitations as well as social and ethical implications of behavioral social science genetics. In line with science fiction dystopias, some of this science could be applied in ways that may have unwanted side-effects or exacerbate social inequalities. Yet, unlike science fiction themes, this research has found genes and environments to be intricately intertwined, which prompts philosophical inquiries into the nature of genetic causes, gene-environment relationships, and emergent human development.
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Evaluationsbeauftragte Anne Aerts
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Dirk Mende
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Laurel Raffington
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Yayouk Willems
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Qiao Wu