Genetics and Health

Depression and Violence Not Just Determined by Genes

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on October 17th, 2005

Maybe I’m still jetlagged, but this commentary seemed rambly and convoluted to me. Oliver James starts off by talking about neurotransmitters, genes, and depression but ends up talking about violence. What was his main point?

Genes play a role in cases of depression

Even if it emerges that genes are always involved to some degree, one of the most striking implications of such studies is that emotionally benign environments are crucial: if you want the minimum of depression or violence, they make an overwhelming case for having a minimum of poor people and abusive parents, rather than societies making tiny minorities super-rich.

Is he saying that we should be focusing on people’s socioeconomic status instead of genetics as a way to improve the human condition? Fair enough. But I’d still argue for looking at the whole picture and that includes genes.

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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease