Genetics and Human Behaviour - When does genetics play a role in understanding human behaviour? 2002

The IV Annual Swedish Symposium on Biomedicine, Ethics and Society was held on May 27-28 2002 in Sandhamn.

Introduction

Behavioral genetics looks for genetic explanations of behavioral traits. This search poses a challenge to explanations provided by psychology and sociology. The aim of the symposium "Genetics and Human Behavior - When does genetics play a role in understanding human behavior" was to discuss - from various perspectives - the role of genetics in understanding human behavior. Few would deny that genes may be of vital importance, but when and how do genes more precisely affect human behavior? What are the limitations of a genetic perspective? How are different explanations related? What are the clinical implications of different approaches?

Programme

The symposium started with three introductions. In the first, Professor Nancy Pedersen presented the nature-nurture problem from the perspective of a behavioral geneticist. In the second presentation, the ethologist Professor Patrick Bateson stressed the complexity of gene-environment interaction. Finally, the sociologist Professor Troy Duster pointed out the dangers of attributing particular behaviors to social and ethnic groups on the basis of genetic information.

To the second day scientists and scholars had been invited to present papers. Twelve presentations were made. Six papers concerned the main theme of the symposium, i.e. the role of genes in human behavior. Six papers focused on other issues related to the ethical, legal and social aspects of genetics and gene technology.

Introductions

Nancy Pedersen, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Psychology at Karolinska Institute, responsible for the Swedish Twin Registry. Nature, nurture and behavior — The perspective of a behavioral geneticist
Abstract

Patrick Bateson, Professor of Ethology at University of Cambridge, with a special interest in the processes that translate genetic and environmental influences into behavioral outcomes. Where does our behavior come from?
Abstract

Troy Duster, Professor of Sociology at New York University, has studied extensively the role of genetics in society. Behavioral genetics and group attributions in stratified societies
Abstract

Session I: Genetics and Human Behavior

Metaphors in behavioral genetics
Anders Nordgren, Uppsala University
Abstract (pdf)

"Survival of the fittest?" Or Have behavioural genetics ended the debate?
Tora Holmberg, Uppsala University
Abstract (pdf)

Neurodevelopmental influence and brain function
Rolf Ekman, Göteborg University
Abstract (pdf)

Explaining universals and variation in human behavior. Is biology to anthropology as formalism to substantivism?
Alf Hornborg, Lund University
Abstract (pdf)

Can geneticists studying human behavior learn from studies of encultured apes?
Pär Segerdahl, Uppsala University
Abstract (pdf)

What is a language disorder?
Sharon Rider, Uppsala University
Abstract (pdf)

Session II: Ethical, legal, and social aspects of genetics and gene technology

Make-up
Jeanette Edwards, Manchester University
Abstract (pdf)

Gene technology: Waves of controversy
Anna Olofsson, Mid Sweden University
Abstract (pdf)

Preventing insurance companies access to genetic information by regulation: problems and solutions
Niklas Juth, Göteborg University
Abstract (pdf)

What can we learn from participants of ABIS, a research screening for Type I diabetes?
U Gustafsson Stolt, Linköping University
Abstract (pdf)

Moral dimensions in group discussion about genetically modified food
Viveka Adelswärd, Linköping University
Abstract (pdf)

Genetics: Transforming the clinical encounter in reproductive medicine? Moral difficulties from the perspective of medical professionals
Kristin Zeiler, Linköping University
Abstract (pdf)

Organizers

The IVth annual Swedish symposium on Biomedicine, Ethics and Society was arranged with financial support from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (ELSA program) and the Swedish Gene Technology Advisory Board.

More information:

Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics
Uppsala Science Park
SE-751 85 Uppsala
Fax +46 18 50 64 04

Josepine Fernow, Co-ordinator, josepine.fernow@crb.uu.se

Keynote speakers

Nancy Pedersen, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Psychology at Karolinska Institute, responsible for the Swedish Twin Registry.

Patrick Bateson, Professor of Ethology at University of Cambridge, with a special interest in the processes that translate genetic and environmental influences into behavioral outcomes.

Troy Duster, Professor of Sociology at New York University, has studied the role of genetics in society extensively.