The Genetic Lottery is an ambitious, fully realized argument to change the zeitgeist about how we think about (or don’t think about) the role of genetics in people’s place and access to resources and opportunities in society. Harden points out that, currently, two views dominate the discussion. One is an updated form of eugenic thinking that genes are the determiner of inequalities and cannot be meaningfully altered. The other is that genetic influences are minimal and any discussion of them is dangerous. Social equality demands that we assume that they don’t matter and we should act accordingly. Harden makes the point that both of these views are not just wrong, but preventing any progress we as a society could make if we moved to a more sophisticated and nuanced view of what behavior genetics can and cannot tell us. She lays out her argument in her book in several phases. First, she summarizes the current state of research in behavior genetics, explaining current methods and what they can and cannot tell us. Then she traces the development of societal views of genetics from Galton through eugenics, publication of The Bell Curve, and up to current times. Finally, she addresses current social inequalities and makes the case that a proper understanding of genetics can help to address inequalities if used properly. She argues that genetics creates inequalities through a random lottery; no one is responsible for their genotype. Society and the more fortunate in the lottery have an obligation to help those less fortunate, and we are all more fortunate and less fortunate in some ways. In addition to summarizing key research studies, she is also good at coming up with relatable examples of the points she is making, for example the use of glasses of varying strength to correct genetic deficiencies in vision. Harden pulls in data from a wide variety of fields to make her case, and clearly she has thought these issues through for many years before writing this book.
I, as a psychology professor, really appreciated this book. I have not had much updating of my understanding of behavior genetics since graduate school. Harden gives clear and accessible accounts of GWAS and other modern developments in genetics. It was great to update my understanding and find that the book supported my general views on heritability. I find her arguments strong and compelling, and even when I don’t agree with them, I know they are thoughtful and grounded in evidence. The book is clearly written and well organized. It is for those who really want a deeper, clearer understanding of behavior genetics and how it might address social inequality. It’s also full of the author’s personal views, which she freely shares. It becomes pretty clear that she savors good food. Those anecdotes and observations give the book a human dimension.
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SLC
An impressive academic achievement & a powerful social argument
Reviewed in the United States on 16 September 2023Verified Purchase
Walter Kraus
Political statement
Reviewed in Germany on 22 January 2022Verified Purchase
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Print error
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Nani
The increase of genetic knowledge is for the better
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PS
Excellent
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