title: The genetic analysis of human behavior: a new era?
abstract: Recent developments in DNA-based techniques may revolutionize the study of human behavioral genetics. However, unless these methods are used with great care, many of the same mistakes which have plagued non-molecular genetic analyses of behavior will reoccur. Errors in the application of genetic approaches and in the interpretation of results have been a common feature of published studies in this field. We review studies in human behavioral genetics, focusing on those using identical twins and DNA-based linkage techniques in order to draw attention to recurrent problems in molecular and non-molecular studies. We suggest possible guidelines for future research in the area of the biological basis of human behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Billings
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beckwith
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Alper
mesh_terms: D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D010553:Personality Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA