The providential randomisation of genotypes.
Jean-Baptiste PingaultPasco FearonEssi VidingNeil DaviesMarcus R MunafòGeorge Davey SmithPublished in: The Behavioral and brain sciences (2023)
When building causal knowledge in behavioural genetics, the natural randomisation of genotypes at conception (approximately analogous to the artificial randomisation occurring in randomised controlled trials) facilitates the discovery of genetic causes. More importantly, the randomisation of genetic material within families also enables a better identification of (environmental) risk factors and aetiological pathways to diseases and behaviours.