1

Genetic Evidence for Schizophrenia

Derek McCarthy
Psychology 2310A
250526508

An article from The Times of India titled Rare genetic variations linked to schizophrenia
found, discussed a recent study where it was found that genetic differences were linked to
schizophrenia. The study was quite big and was carried out by the Psychiatric Genomics
Consortium through the University of California. It included over 21000 people with
schizophrenia and over 20000 people without the disorder. The study found eight places in the
genome where alterations were linked to greatly intensifying the risk for schizophrenia. The
research team also discovered, that many of the alterations were most commonly found in the
genes that take part in controlling the brains synapses, which affects the transmission of
chemicals (Rare genetic variations, 2016).
In abnormal psychology, we have discussed the biological etiology of many disorders and
how genes can play some role in the development of certain disorders. We have also discussed at
length the disorder of schizophrenia itself and its many intricacies with varying symptoms,
treatments and outcomes. Along with all of this, the topic of biological causes of schizophrenia
has been talked about a lot. Information about schizophrenia is presented at length in Chapter 9
of our textbook, specifics about its etiology are covered from page 216 to 227, with biological
factors beginning on page 219. In the textbook, it is discussed that a familial genetic
contribution has been presumed since the early 1900s (Dozois, 2015). Schizophrenia is seen in
multiple generations in some families, it has been found that children of a schizophrenic parent
have a 13 percent chance of developing schizophrenia; this is high when you compare it to the
global risk of 1 percent, for the rest of the population developing this disorder (Dozois, 2015).
The article from the India Times clearly supports this research, as it discusses the fact that some
genes are linked to schizophrenia, which would suggest an inheritance factor to the disorder, as
all genes are inherited from ones parents.

This article is clearly very relevant to abnormal psychology as it is bringing forth new
research into the genetic basis for schizophrenia, that as I mentioned previously has been
considered a primary cause of schizophrenia for over a hundred years. From reading the article,
one may assume that genes are the most important factor in the development of schizophrenia,
however from reading the textbook one can see that environmental factors have a very important,
if not more important role in the disorder. The text discusses the issue of twin studies in the
genetic basis for schizophrenia. If a gene variation was the only and direct cause of
schizophrenia, then a monozygotic twin would have a 100 percent chance of developing
schizophrenia, if their twin had the disorder. However, through research we know that
monozygotic twins have a 48 percent chance of developing the disorder, if their twin has it
(Dozois, 2015). In the text, this inconsistency is attributed to the principle of incomplete
penitence, which is the fact that a number of people with the gene variations will not develop
schizophrenia in their lifetime (Dozois, 2015). This is assumed to be largely due to a persons
environmental factors. I feel as though the article lacks greatly in bringing up this point. It solely
focuses on the gene variations that were discovered to be linked to schizophrenia, and ignores the
fact that this does not mean that everyone with these variations will develop the disorder. The
article could have delved into this aspect of schizophrenia even in a small capacity. Someone
without knowledge of psychological disorders may assume this means only people with these
variations can get schizophrenia, and that it is guaranteed that they will develop it if the variation
is present. I feel as though this study is more or less confirming what is already understood in
psychology just in more specifics. I do not know how this information will help with treating or
diagnosing patients, but hopefully it will come to some use with further research as
schizophrenia is a debilitating illness that does not have a favourable outcome for most patients.

References
Dozois, D. J. (2015). Abnormal psychology: Perspectives (5th ed.). Toronto: Pearson Canada.
Rare genetic variations linked to schizophrenia found. (2016, November 23). Retrieved from
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/Rare-geneticvariations-linked-to-schizophrenia-found/articleshow/55580397.cms