The recent boom of sociogenomics research – the integration of large scale molecular genetic information into social science research – has been driven by at least four promises: First, to control for genetic confounding in population-based data. Second, to investigate genetic heterogeneity in social explanations. Third, to use genes as instrumental variables to identify social effects causally. Fourth, genetic prediction of social and health outcomes might provide important insides for early social interventions.
In this talk, the speaker will shortly introduce the technical background of the molecular genetic data revolution before exemplifying current challenges and a potential prospective regarding the original promises for this field in the social sciences.
