Ahead of the Curve: Behavioral Geneticist

By Marty Nemko

Posted: December 11, 2008

Behavioral Geneticist. For over 100 years, psychologists have attempted, with modest success, to ameliorate mental problems from depression to low intelligence by changing patients' attitudes and by exploring their childhood angst. Now, pharmacological approaches are used, also with only moderate success. Recent evidence suggests a more fruitful path tied to the fact that human behavior—sexual orientation, alcoholism, intelligence, the propensity for violence—has a genetic component. Researchers and, in coming years, clinicians who specialize in developing and implementing ethical gene-related therapies should be in growing demand.

Learn more : Human Genome Project Information and Behavioral Genetics Association.

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