Genetic data could make future health advice more precise

Researchers at the University of Tartu used genetic data from nearly one million people to study how personality traits are inherited, findings that could help make health advice more precise, ERR reported.

The study combined data from more than 40 biobanks. It found that traits such as kindness are not controlled by a single gene, but are linked to the combined influence of many genes.

People inherit a random combination of their parents’ genes before birth, creating what researchers describe as a natural experiment for studying links between genes, personality and everyday choices.

“There is no such thing as a single personality gene, like an aggression gene or a kindness gene,” said Uku Vainik, a professor of behavioural genetics at the University of Tartu. “Rather, these traits are polygenic, meaning that many genes are each slightly associated with our personality.”

Kerli Ilves, a junior researcher in health behaviour genetics at the university, said personality and behaviour are shaped by a complex combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. She said genetics provides a tool for examining those links from a new perspective.

The researchers hope their findings will eventually help develop more personalised and effective health recommendations, rather than advice aimed at an abstract average person.