Vulnerability genes or plasticity genes?
The classic diathesis-stress framework, which views some individuals as particularly vulnerable to adversity, informs virtually all psychiatric research on behavior-gene-environment (G x E) interaction. An alternative framework of 'differential susceptibility' is proposed, one which regards those most susceptible to adversity because of their genetic make up as simultaneously most likely to benefit from supportive or enriching experiences-or even just the absence of adversity. Recent G x E findings consistent with this perspective and involving monoamine oxidase-A, 5-HTTLPR (5-hydroxytryptamine-linked polymorphic region polymorphism) and dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) are reviewed for illustrative purposes. Results considered suggest that putative 'vulnerability genes' or 'risk alleles' might, at times, be more appropriately conceptualized as 'plasticity genes', because they seem to make individuals more susceptible to environmental influences-for better and for worse.
Belsky
J
J
Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK. j.belsky@bbk.ac.uk
Jonassaint
C
C
Pluess
M
M
Stanton
M
M
Brummett
B
B
Williams
R
R
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004777:Environment; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D011582:Psychological Theory; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology