When Daniel Benjamin was just beginning his PhD program in economics in 2001, he attended a conference with his graduate school advisers. They took in a presentation on neuroeconomics, a nascent field dealing with how the human brain goes about making decisions.
Afterward, as they took a stroll outside, they couldnt stop talking about what they had learned, how novel and intriguing it was. What would be next, they wondered. What would come after neuroeconomics?
The human genome project had just been completed, and we decided that even more fundamental than the brain would be genes, and that someday this was going to matter a lot for social science, said Benjamin, associate professor (research) of economics at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR). Indeed, his excitement that day was the foundation of a visionary academic path.
Fast forward to today. Genoeconomics is now an emerging area of social science that incorporates genetic data into the work that economists do. Its based on the idea that a persons particular combination of genes is related to economic behavior and life outcomes such as educational attainment, fertility, obesity and subjective well-being.
Theres this rich new source of data that has only become available recently, said Benjamin, also co-director of the Social Science Genetic Association Consortium, which brings about cooperation among medical researchers, geneticists and social scientists.
Collecting genetic data and creating the large data sets used by economists and other social scientists have become increasingly affordable, and new analytical methods are getting more and more powerful as these data sets continue to grow. The big challenge, he said, is figuring out how scientists can leverage this new data to address a host of important policy questions.
Were ultimately interested in understanding how genes and environments interact to produce the kinds of outcomes people have in their lives, and then what kinds of policies can help people do better. That is really what economics is about and were trying to use genetics to do even better economics.
Only a handful of economists are working with genetics, but this brand of research is perfectly at home at CESR. The center, founded three years ago, was conceived as a place where visionary social science could thrive and where research could be done differently than in the past.
Being in a place where thats the shared vision is pretty rare, said econometrician Arie Kapteyn, professor (research) of economics and CESR director. Theres no restriction on which way you want to go or what you want to do. It doesnt mean that there are no restrictions on resources, but its the opportunity to think about your vision of whats really exciting in social science research. Then being able to actually implement it is absolutely fantastic.
The mission of CESR is discovering how people around the world live, think, interact, age and make important decisions. The centers researchers are dedicated to innovation and combining their analysis to deepen the understanding of human behavior in a variety of economic and social contexts.
What we try to do is mold a disciplinary science in a very broad sense, Kapteyn said. Because todays problems in society, theyre really all multidisciplinary.
Case in point: Benjamins work combining genetics and economics.
The flagship research effort for Benjamins CESR research group deals with genes and education. In a 2016 study, the team identified variants in 74 genes that are associated with educational attainment. In other words, people who carry more of these variants, on average, complete more years of formal schooling.
Benjamin hopes to use this data in a holistic way to create a predictive tool.
Were also creating methods for combining the information in a persons entire genome into a single variable that can be used to partially predict how much education a persons going to get.
Daniel Benjamin
Rather than just identifying specific genes, he said, were also creating methods for combining the information in a persons entire genome into a single variable that can be used to partially predict how much education a persons going to get.
The young field of genoeconomics is still somewhat controversial, and Benjamin is careful to point out that individual genes dont determine behavior or outcome.
The effect of any individual gene on behavior is extremely small, Benjamin explained, but the effects of all the genes combined on almost any behavior were interested in is much more substantial. Its the combined information of many genes that has predictive power, and that can be most useful for social scientists.
While the cohort of researchers actively using the available genome-wide data in this way is still somewhat limited, Benjamin says it is growing quickly.
I think across the social sciences, researchers are seeing the potential for the data, and people are starting to use it in their work and getting excited about it, but right now its still a small band of us trying to lay the foundations.
Were putting together huge data sets of hundreds of thousands of people approaching a million people in our ongoing work on educational attainment because you need those really big sample sizes to accurately detect the genetic influences.
As CESR works to improve social welfare by informing and influencing decision-making in the public and private sectors, big data such as Benjamins is a growing part of that process, according to Kapteyn.
What big data reflects is the fact that nowadays there are so many other ways in which we can learn about behavior, he said. As a result, I think well see many more breakthroughs and gain a much better understanding of whats going on in the world and in social science than in the past.
I think were really at the beginning of something pretty spectacular. What we are doing is really only scratching the surface theres so much more that can be done.
More stories about: Big Data, Economics, Research
Report comes as the university nears the opening of USC Village, the largest economic development project in the history of South Los Angeles.
The USC Dornsife Economics Department launches the USC Economics Review to spotlight students research.
The program at USC Dornsife offers tailored training in preparation for Fall Career Fair.
Conference covers methods of prompting change in human behavior for the public good.
Go here to read the rest:
Can genetics play a role in education and well-being? - USC News
- Multiple neurodevelopmental disorders have a common molecular cause [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Human Longevity, Inc. Hires Industry Experts Barry Merriman, Ph.D., and Paul Mola, M.S. to Lead New Global Solutions ... [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2014]
- Scientists create artificial human eggs and sperm [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2014]
- What if the severity of our seasonal influenza were related to our genetic background? [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2015]
- UCLA Human Genetics [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2015]
- Human Genetics - Estrella Mountain Community College [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2015]
- Human genetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2015]
- Human genetics - An Introduction to Genetic Analysis ... [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2015]
- Home Institute for Human Genetics at UCSF [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2015]
- National Human Genome Research Institute [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2016]
- Genetics - Smithsonian's Human Origins Program [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Toddler's Hair Stands Up Like Troll Doll Thanks To Rare Genetic Condition - HuffPost [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- Genetic variant linked to osteoarthritis favored in cold climates - Scope (blog) [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- Human Evolution: Africa Exodus Made Homo Sapiens Shorter and Gave Them Arthritis - Newsweek [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- Dispute Over British Baby's Fate Draws In Pope and US President - New York Times [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- Human mitochondrial genetics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2017]
- Using Big Data to Hack Autism - Scientific American [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2017]
- This Study Could Help Extend the Human Lifespan - Futurism [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2017]
- Evolution and war: The 'deep roots' theory of human violence - Genetic Literacy Project [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2017]
- Human Genetics | Pitt Public Health | University of Pittsburgh [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2017]
- human genetics | biology | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2017]
- The Era of Human Gene Editing Is HereWhat Happens Next Is Critical - Singularity Hub [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- In US first, scientists edit genes of human embryos - Indiana Gazette [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- A protein involved in Alzheimer's disease may also be implicated in cognitive abilities in children - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- Genome Sequencing Shows Spiders, Scorpions Share Ancestor - R & D Magazine [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- Mindful of eugenics' dark history, researchers are reexamining the genetics of social mobility - Quartz [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- Shrinking Bat DNA and Elastic Genomes - Quanta Magazine [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- Bacteria May Rig Their DNA to Speed Up Evolution - WIRED [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- Will Gene Editing Allow Us to Rid the World of Diseases? - Healthline [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- Genes causing intellectual disabilities identified - The Indian Express [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2017]
- Split-brain fruit fly research gives insight into autism - Nevada Today [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2017]
- Human Genetics - McGill University [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: August 18th, 2018]
- Human Genetics - medschool.ucla.edu [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2018]
- Department of Human Genetics | The University of Chicago [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2018]
- Human genetic clustering - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2018]
- Mitochondrial Eve - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2018]
- Human Genetics - McGraw-Hill Education [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2018]
- Human Genetics | Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2018] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2018]
- Human Genetics | Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2018] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2018]
- Human behaviour genetics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2019] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2019]
- Human Genetics and Embryology - Open Access Journals [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2019] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2019]
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute - Welcome to The ... [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2019]
- Human Genetic Modification | Center for Genetics and Society [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2019] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2019]
- Humanized Liver Mice Model Market Emerging Niche Segments and Regional Markets - Commerce Gazette [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Short Sleeper Syndrome: When You Can Get By on Just a Few Hours of Sleep - The Crux - Discover Magazine [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Ceremony honors 2019 GASD hall inductees - The Recorder [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Genes, the social environment and adolescent smoking - Princeton University [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- LSU researcher looking at 'miracle drug' metformin as potential weapon against breast cancer - NOLA.com [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- The next omics? Tracking a lifetime of exposures to better understand disease - Knowable Magazine [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- 'Rejuvenation treatment can delay onset of heart diseases, cancer' - Down To Earth Magazine [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Global Human Genetics Market Report, History and Forecast 2014-2025, Breakdown Data by Companies, Key Regions, Types and Application - Market Industry... [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- DNA Found in 70000-Year-Old Pinky Bone Gives 1st Glimpse of Ancient Human Relative - Inside Edition [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Scientists release genetically altered mosquitoes to fight malaria - Global News [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Scientists Release Sterile Mosquitoes in Burkina to Fight Malaria - News18 [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Genes implicated in bipolar disorder identified - The Hindu [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Genetics and Justice: DNA Identification Technologies in Post-Dictatorial Argentina - KCPW [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- When Did Humans Reach North America? The Question Keeps Growing More Complex - The Crux - Discover Magazine [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Early postnatal overnutrition sets the body on a fast-track to aging - Baylor College of Medicine News [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Oxford Nanopore signs CRISPR licence - Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Medical student with rare disease finds possible cure from studying his own blood samples - Fox News [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Study Gives the Green Light to the Fruit Fly's Color Preference - Nature World News [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Genetics CRISPR enters its first human trials - Science News for Students [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Lakin Named Finalist In Global Science Video Contest - My veronanj [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- The Genetic Origins of Sex Differences in Disease - Yale News [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- Human Genetics Market 2019 Growing with Major Key Player QIAGEN, Agilent Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina, Promega, LabCorp, GE, etc -... [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2019]
- The Complicated Truth About That Controversial 'Gay Gene' Study - Out Magazine [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2019]
- Government launches 'UMMID' initiative to tackle inherited genetic diseases of new born ba - 5 Dariya News [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2019]
- 1400-year-old Pictish Remains Finally Unearthed in Scotland - Ancient Origins [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2019]
- GSK and AstraZeneca's PARP Inhibitors Will Flex Their Muscles at ESMO - BioSpace [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2019]
- What Do Dairy Cows' Y Chromosomes Have to Do with Young Earth Creationism? Plenty. - Patheos [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- New books explore why dogs and humans have such a special bond - Science News [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- We need to understand the culture of whales so we can save them - Dal News [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- New Research on Climate Change and the Brain, the Relationship Between Stroke and Dementia, Advances in Epilepsy and MS Among the Brain Health... [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- This is Why Gene Editing of Plants and Animals Needs to be Regulated - In These Times [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- What's Behind Rise Of STDS Among Young People?: Epidemic Alarms Health Officials As Prevention Funding Drops - Kaiser Health News [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- Opinion: The Nature of Social Inequalities in Great Britain - The Scientist [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- Hacking Darwin: How the coming genetics revolution will play out - New Atlas [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- New research on climate change and the brain among the brain health initiatives unveiled at 24th World Congress of Neurology - WFN News [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- Overthinking Can Shorten Your Life, Says New Study - International Business Times [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]
- DNA research holds the keys to human history but it's being weaponized by politicians - Haaretz [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2019]