Big Brains Can Your DNA Predict Your Future?, with Dalton Conley
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Apr 17, 2025 
Dalton Conley, a Princeton University sociologist and author of "The Social Genome," discusses the fascinating intersection of DNA and societal outcomes. He reveals how polygenic scores could predict not just physical traits, but also socioeconomic success, relationships, and even your future spouse. Conley dives into the controversial idea of genetic sorting that influences social interactions and raises urgent questions about potential inequalities. He explores the ethical implications of genetic data in areas like dating, healthcare, and education, questioning our trajectory toward a genetically determined future.
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Genes Predict Income Variation
- Genes can predict about half of income variation in males and females in society.
- Society is increasingly sorting itself genetically through marriage and social choices.
Nature And Nurture Are Integrated
- There is no nature versus nurture, but rather a deep integration of genes and environment.
- Changing environments can change how genes affect our lives and society.
Polygenic Index Explained
- Polygenic indexes sum tiny genetic variations across the entire genome into a predictive score.
- This score, akin to a credit score, predicts traits like height, education, or mental health risk.