The Question That Must Be Asked: Is Behavioral Genetics a Null Field?

For more than half a century, the field of behavioral genetics has touted studies claiming that differences in personality, intelligence and susceptibility to psychiatric disorders have a significant genetic component. Despite this long history of positive findings, however, little of substance has been garnered regarding how genes influence a particular trait, or by what mechanism. Moreover, the field has not been able to replicate their findings. Yet, the gene-hunting expedition continues unabated by its failures. Years of candidate gene studies purporting to demonstrate genetic correlations for behavioral traits have been refuted en masse. With little self-reflection, the field moved on to genome-wide association studies (GWAS). These studies have not been able to confirm the heritability claims derived from twin studies, instead citing minuscule “variance explained” calculations. Polygenic risk scores (PRS), derived from GWAS, have had little success in predicting traits. Despite the lack of success, researchers have promoted their findings to mainstream media, which then sensationalize and amplify the findings, creating a sense of breakthrough discoveries and a perception in the public that genetic differences play a significant role in human character. This perception has been harmful historically and still affects our society in many ways, with a potential for further harm. It seems unlikely that any grand findings will be found in the future, leaving only ideological persistence as a driving force for continuing this pursuit. It is time to concede that behavioral genetics is a null field.