Genetic Interactions and Environmental Factors in Disease Development

Genes interacting with the environment play a crucial role in the development of diseases. The complexity of diseases often arises from multiple minor genetic changes combining in intricate ways. While many genes have been linked to diseases like schizophrenia, no single gene can predict the likelihood of developing the disease as effectively as environmental factors such as social stress. Studies show that immigrant groups facing cultural and appearance differences from the host population have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia due to the stress of adaptation to a new environment.