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Socio-economic status is a social construct with heritable components and genetic consequences

Author

Listed:
  • Abdel Abdellaoui

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Hilary C. Martin

    (Wellcome Genome Campus)

  • Martin Kolk

    (Stockholm University
    Institute for Futures Studies)

  • Adam Rutherford

    (University College London)

  • Michael Muthukrishna

    (London School of Economics and Political Science
    London School of Economics
    London School of Economics)

  • Felix C. Tropf

    (University College London
    Purdue University
    AnalytiXIN)

  • Melinda C. Mills

    (University of Oxford
    University of Groningen
    University Medical Centre Groningen)

  • Brendan P. Zietsch

    (University of Queensland)

  • Karin J. H. Verweij

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Peter M. Visscher

    (University of Oxford
    University of Queensland)

Abstract

In civilizations, individuals are born into or sorted into different levels of socio-economic status (SES). SES clusters in families and geographically, and is robustly associated with genetic effects. Here we first review the history of scientific research on the relationship between SES and heredity. We then discuss recent findings in genomics research in light of the hypothesis that SES is a dynamic social construct that involves genetically influenced traits that help in achieving or retaining a socio-economic position, and can affect the distribution of genes associated with such traits. Social stratification results in people with differing traits being sorted into strata with different environmental exposures, which can result in evolutionary selection pressures through differences in mortality, reproduction and non-random mating. Genomics research is revealing previously concealed genetic consequences of the way society is organized, yielding insights that should be approached with caution in pursuit of a fair and functional society.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdel Abdellaoui & Hilary C. Martin & Martin Kolk & Adam Rutherford & Michael Muthukrishna & Felix C. Tropf & Melinda C. Mills & Brendan P. Zietsch & Karin J. H. Verweij & Peter M. Visscher, 2025. "Socio-economic status is a social construct with heritable components and genetic consequences," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 9(5), pages 864-876, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:9:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1038_s41562-025-02150-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02150-4
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