As a graduate student in biology, I take serious issue with Will Brundage’s guest commentary (“No evidence for genetic psychological disease,” ODE, Jan. 26). Biologists have found that virtually every trait has both genetic and environmental components. Mr. Brundage states that “no one has offered up concrete evidence” of a genetic predisposition toward mental disorders. My ten-second Google search brought up numerous studies by the National Institute of Mental Health that clearly show a genetic component to mental illness. For example, you are much more likely to be schizophrenic if a member of your family (even one you don’t have contact with) has this disease. If one identical twin is affected by bipolar disorder, there is a much higher than average chance that the other will be as well. Of course, genetics are not the sole determinant of any trait, and environment and life circumstances plays a crucial role as well (otherwise 100 percent of identical twins would share their mental illnesses because they have the same DNA). But, to suggest that there is no hard evidence for a well-supported area of research is misleading and irresponsible. What is unclear to me is why the Emerald would print a guest commentary from someone with no discernible credentials on this topic and who offers up absolutely no facts to support his claims. To me, that is most irresponsible of all.
Julie Stewart
Graduate student, Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology