Gene–environment interdependence

Abstract

The modern understanding of genetic influences, of environmental effects, of mental disorder, and of heritabilities is noted. The practical utility of finding susceptibility genes with a very small effect is questioned. The empirical findings and implications of developmental perturbations, epigenetics, gene–environment correlations and interactions are then discussed. It is noted that the genes involved in gene–environment interactions may be concerned with susceptibility to all environments and not just adverse ones.

Keywords:

• Developmental perturbations
• Epigenetics
• Gene–environment correlations
• Gene–environment interactions
• Plasticity genes

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Rutter

Based on an invited lecture at the 15th European Conference on Developmental Psychology, August 2011.