The Gene Illusion Confusion

Reviews The Gene Illusion: Genetic Research in Psychiatry and Psychology Under the Microscope, by Jay Joseph (see record 2004–21906–000). Over the span of 347 pages, Jay Joseph–like an adrenalized boxer–charges out from his corner and relentlessly punches away at his opponents: the behavioral genetics research into schizophrenia, criminal/antisocial behaviors, and IQ. Affective-anxiety conditions, substance abuse, normal personality, and a host of other behavioral genetic topics are not in the ring. Clearly, there was no referee to caution against low blows. Overall, this book is an exhaustive look backward in time at the research providing the foundations for modern efforts to understand the biology of mental illness and intelligence. However, this is not a balanced and current appraisal of the state of behavior genetic findings and theories. To be sure, there are faults in this body of research. Is the author throwing some below-the-belt punches by focusing only on those faults? What domain of science would stand up to the application of current day standards applied to efforts from decades past? In addition to a scientific agenda, the book has a political agenda. Joseph tells us that twin research had its origin in the eugenics movement and Nazism. From there, sprinkled throughout the book, the author returns to the concerns about the potential for misuse of genetic information. After a maelstrom of attacks on his opponents, the boxer devotes only two pages to “a new approach.” Unfortunately, the author mostly recapitulates his previous criticisms and provides neither new insights nor new research strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)