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Genetic correlates of social stratification in Great Britain

Author

Listed:
  • Abdel Abdellaoui

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • David Hugh-Jones

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Loic Yengo

    (University of Queensland)

  • Kathryn E. Kemper

    (University of Queensland)

  • Michel G. Nivard

    (VU University)

  • Laura Veul

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Yan Holtz

    (University of Queensland)

  • Brendan P. Zietsch

    (University of Queensland)

  • Timothy M. Frayling

    (University of Exeter)

  • Naomi R. Wray

    (University of Queensland
    University of Queensland)

  • Jian Yang

    (University of Queensland
    University of Queensland)

  • Karin J. H. Verweij

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Peter M. Visscher

    (University of Queensland
    University of Queensland)

Abstract

Human DNA polymorphisms vary across geographic regions, with the most commonly observed variation reflecting distant ancestry differences. Here we investigate the geographic clustering of common genetic variants that influence complex traits in a sample of ~450,000 individuals from Great Britain. Of 33 traits analysed, 21 showed significant geographic clustering at the genetic level after controlling for ancestry, probably reflecting migration driven by socioeconomic status (SES). Alleles associated with educational attainment (EA) showed the most clustering, with EA-decreasing alleles clustering in lower SES areas such as coal mining areas. Individuals who leave coal mining areas carry more EA-increasing alleles on average than those in the rest of Great Britain. The level of geographic clustering is correlated with genetic associations between complex traits and regional measures of SES, health and cultural outcomes. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that social stratification leaves visible marks in geographic arrangements of common allele frequencies and gene–environment correlations.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdel Abdellaoui & David Hugh-Jones & Loic Yengo & Kathryn E. Kemper & Michel G. Nivard & Laura Veul & Yan Holtz & Brendan P. Zietsch & Timothy M. Frayling & Naomi R. Wray & Jian Yang & Karin J. H. Ve, 2019. "Genetic correlates of social stratification in Great Britain," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 3(12), pages 1332-1342, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:3:y:2019:i:12:d:10.1038_s41562-019-0757-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-019-0757-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Baker, Samuel & Biroli, Pietro & van Kippersluis, Hans & von Hinke, Stephanie, 2022. "Beyond Barker: Infant Mortality at Birth and Ischaemic Heart Disease in Older Age," IZA Discussion Papers 15291, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Fartein Ask Torvik & Espen Moen Eilertsen & Laurie J. Hannigan & Rosa Cheesman & Laurence J. Howe & Per Magnus & Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud & Ole A. Andreassen & Pål R. Njølstad & Alexandra Havdahl & Eiv, 2022. "Modeling assortative mating and genetic similarities between partners, siblings, and in-laws," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Menta, Giorgia & Lepinteur, Anthony & Clark, Andrew E. & Ghislandi, Simone & D'Ambrosio, Conchita, 2023. "Maternal genetic risk for depression and child human capital," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    4. Dixon, Padraig & Harrison, Sean & Hollingworth, William & Davies, Neil M. & Davey Smith, George, 2022. "Estimating the causal effect of liability to disease on healthcare costs using Mendelian Randomization," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    5. Michael Fritsch & Martin Obschonka & Fabian Wahl & Michael Wyrwich, 2021. "Cultural Imprinting: Ancient Origins of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Germany," Jena Economics Research Papers 2021-012, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    6. Fritsch, Michael & Obschonka, Martin & Wahl, Fabian & Wyrwich, Michael, 2020. "The deep imprint of Roman sandals: Evidence of long-lasting effects of Roman rule on personality, economic performance, and well-being in Germany," Hohenheim Discussion Papers in Business, Economics and Social Sciences 05-2020, University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.
    7. von Stumm, Sophie & Kandaswamy, Radhika & Maxwell, Jessye, 2023. "Gene-environment interplay in early life cognitive development," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    8. Michael Fritsch & Michael Wyrwich, 2023. "Entrepreneurship in the Long-Run: Empirical Evidence and Historical Mechanisms," Foundations and Trends(R) in Entrepreneurship, now publishers, vol. 19(1), pages 1-125, January.
    9. Rita Dias Pereira & Pietro Biroli & Titus Galama & Stephanie von Hinke & Hans van Kippersluis & Cornelius A. Rietveld & Kevin Thom, 2022. "Gene-Environment Interplay in the Social Sciences," Papers 2203.02198, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2022.
    10. Paul Minard, 2022. "Molecular genetics and mid-career economic mobility," Papers 2209.00057, arXiv.org.
    11. Michael Wyrwich & Michael Fritsch, 2023. "How does Regional Entrepreneurship Transfer over Time? The Role of Household Size and Economic Success," Jena Economics Research Papers 2023-006, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    12. Silvia H. Barcellos & Leandro Carvalho & Patrick Turley, 2021. "The Effect of Education on the Relationship between Genetics, Early-Life Disadvantages, and Later-Life SES," NBER Working Papers 28750, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Andrea G Allegrini & Ville Karhunen & Jonathan R I Coleman & Saskia Selzam & Kaili Rimfeld & Sophie von Stumm & Jean-Baptiste Pingault & Robert Plomin, 2020. "Multivariable G-E interplay in the prediction of educational achievement," PLOS Genetics, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-20, November.
    14. Mingxuan Cai & Zhiwei Wang & Jiashun Xiao & Xianghong Hu & Gang Chen & Can Yang, 2023. "XMAP: Cross-population fine-mapping by leveraging genetic diversity and accounting for confounding bias," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    15. Daly, Michael & Obschonka, Martin & Stuetzer, Michael & Sutin, Angelina & Shaw-Taylor, Leigh & Satchell, Max & Robinson, Eric, 2019. "Neuroticism Mediates the Relationship Between Industrial History and Modern-Day Regional Obesity Levels," MPRA Paper 106505, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 23 Jul 2020.
    16. Jennifer Sjaarda & Zoltán Kutalik, 2023. "Partner choice, confounding and trait convergence all contribute to phenotypic partner similarity," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(5), pages 776-789, May.
    17. Egeland, Jonathan, 2022. "The ups and downs of intelligence: The co-occurrence model and its associated research program," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    18. Ojalehto, Elsa & Finkel, Deborah & Russ, Tom C. & Karlsson, Ida K. & Ericsson, Malin, 2023. "Influences of genetically predicted and attained education on geographic mobility and their association with mortality," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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