Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Preprint
Data sources: ZENODO
addClaim

The Heritability Illusion: How Overestimating Genetic Risk in Psychiatry Harms Patients and Why a Recalibration Is Needed

Authors: Kaufmann, Jochen;

The Heritability Illusion: How Overestimating Genetic Risk in Psychiatry Harms Patients and Why a Recalibration Is Needed

Abstract

EN: The "40–60% heritability" estimate for substance use disorders is one of the most widely cited figures in psychiatry—and it is systematically overinterpreted. It shapes clinical communication, patient expectations, and the allocation of research funding. This Perspective demonstrates: Twin studies do not measure genetic destiny, but rather a composite of direct genetics, social environmental effects, and exposure conditions. By integrating eight methodological biases and a persistent molecular discrepancy (polygenic risk scores explain only 2–6% of the variance), this construct is challenged. Crucial here is the clinical cascade of harm: biogenetic framing induces prognostic pessimism, reduces clinician empathy, and triggers measurable physiological nocebo effects. The core message is not that genetics are irrelevant, but that current narratives massively overstate therapeutic immutability. This paper therefore argues for a drastic recalibration. This is an essential step to overcome genetic fatalism, restore patient self-efficacy, and promote sustainable prevention (UN SDG 3.5).DE: Die viel zitierten „40–60 % Heritabilität“ für Substanzkonsumstörungen werden in der klinischen Psychiatrie systematisch überinterpretiert. Diese Perspektive zeigt: Zwillingsstudien messen nicht das genetische Schicksal, sondern ein Mischkonstrukt aus direkter Genetik, sozialen Umwelteffekten und Expositionsbedingungen. Durch die Integration von acht methodischen Verzerrungen, molekularen Diskrepanzen (PRS erklären nur 2–6 % der Varianz) und einer klinischen Schadenskaskade (von prognostischem Pessimismus bis zu Nocebo-Effekten) plädiert diese Arbeit für eine drastische Neukalibrierung. Ein essenzieller Schritt, um genetischen Fatalismus zu überwinden und die Selbstwirksamkeit von Patienten wiederherzustellen. Hinweis: Dieses Repository enthält sowohl die englische als auch die deutsche Fassung. Das Manuskript ist für die Einreichung bei einem Peer-Review-Journal (Perspective-Format) vorbereitet.

Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback