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As parents, we want our children to be responsible, kind, and productive, but we often ignore that about half of all differences between children’s behavior result from their genes. In fact, researchers have identified more than 500 genetic loci in the genome associated with a predisposition to different behaviors. Those genes affect the way children's brain is wired during development. This is called the genetic predisposition.1
However, DNA alone cannot shape the behavior itself, it is a complicated network of genetic and environmental factors, as evidenced by twins and family studies, concerning attention deficit, hyperactivity, antisocial behavior and even emotional problems such as shyness, depression, and anxiety.2
Dr. Kawthar Alamiddine
Neonatologist
References:
1--Hannigan, L.J.; Walaker, N.; Waszczuk, M.A.; McAdams, T.A.; Eley, T.C Etiological influences on stability and change in emotional and behavioral problems across development: a systematic review
2-Psychopathology Review PR Volume 4 (2017), Issue 1, 52-108. Multivariate analysis of 1.5 million people identifies genetic associations with traits related to self-regulation and addiction. Nature Neuroscience, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00908-3
