Economics and Genetics

Two interrelated advances in genetics have occurred which have ushered in the growing field of genoeconomics. The first is a rapid expansion of so-called big data featuring genetic information collected from large population–based samples. The second is enhancements to computational and predictive power to aggregate small genetic effects across the genome into single summary measures called polygenic scores (PGSs). Together, these advances will be incorporated broadly with economic research, with strong possibilities for new insights and methodological techniques.

Small, inherited differences in blood glucose levels in mice

Blood glucose levels of mice from five strains were measured. The results showed that each strain was different from the others for genes affecting blood glucose level, although the strain differences were small.Within strains, the chief sources of variation were sex differences, differences between mice from different litters of the same mother, and between mice assayed in different months. Repeatability of measurements on individual mice was low. Genetic analysis, even by biometrical techniques, was not possible because the small genetic effects were obscured by variation due to other causes.