Evidence for how inequality influences the impact genes have on our lives has been reviewed by a team led by Goldsmiths, University of London.
A wealth of research shows that inequality has a substantial impact on life outcomes, including health and education. Research also shows that individual differences in health and education are partly explained by genetic differences.
The new study, published in the Journal of Biosocial Science, considered how the strength of genetic effects (heritability) may depend on social set ups, including how equally resources are distributed within a population.
Yulia Kovas, Professor of Genetics and Psychology at Goldsmiths, said: “As part of our research we assessed the mechanisms by which inequality gets ‘under peoples’ skin’ by activating cascades of epigenetic and other biological processes: in the same way as even the most powerful engine cannot fulfil its purpose without fuel, genetic potential cannot manifest in the absence of opportunity, such as educational resources.”
After examining the available research relating to educational outcomes the authors concluded:
- When inequality in a population is high, genetic factors explain more variance among people of higher socio-economic status than among those of low status
- In populations where access to quality education is a privilege of the rich, differences in academic outcomes are largely due to socio-economic disparities
- When environmental provisions are relatively equally accessible and uniform (for example high quality unified compulsory education), genetic factors explain most of the differences among people
The team also proposes that high heritability does not mean unchangeable. In fairer, wealthier and more equal societies the same genes work differently than in less fair, poorer and less equal societies. For example, in better organised societies genetic risks of illnesses and behavioural problems may not manifest, whereas genetic potential for achievement may have ‘fuel’ for expression.
Professor Kovas said: “Growing inequality across the world has been recognised as the greatest global risk to social stability over the next decade. What our study shows is that inequality affects our very core, at the cellular level – impacting gene expression, with long-term negative consequences. This knowledge should give societies even more reason to find ways of reducing the effects of inequality.”