Why genetic research has not led to breakthrough in deciphering schizophrenia

What causes mental health problems?…[T]o shed some light on the matters, we asked two psychologists to discuss the issue of genetics and their role.

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[“W]hat kind of explanation is likely to result from research into the genetics of ‘schizophrenia’ anyway?[” asked Lucy Johnstone.]

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[“]A frequently neglected issue is that genetic research is entirely correlational, and therefore every bit as vulnerable to confounding as any other kinds of correlational research…What is really interesting to me is that, properly interpreted, the genetic data does not point to anything like the ‘genes for schizophrenia’….” said Richard Bentall.]

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[“G]iven all this, why are we still pursuing the genetic route?…I know what would have made most difference to the lives of my clients, and it wasn’t genetic research. Should it still have a role?[” asked Johnstone.]

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[“]This may be a point where we disagree…The problem is not genetic research: it’s naive genetic research. Geneticist have failed to realise that they cannot hope to learn anything by studying genes in isolation[,” answered Bentall.]

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Genetic Research Into ‘Schizophrenia’ – How Much Can It Actually Tell Us?