AT ISSUE - GENES, EXPERIENCE, AND CHANCE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - POSITIONING FOR THE 21ST-CENTURY

Genetic factors make important contributions to the etiologies of schi zophrenia. The mode of familial inheritance remains unknown, but it is highly likely that multiple genes and idiosyncratic environmental fac tors are involved. Rapidly evolving genetic technologies have been app lied in the genetic analysis of schizophrenia, and several genomic reg ions have been posited as harboring susceptibility genes. Currently, t he strongest evidence implicates chromosomes 6 and 8, but these linkag es are not yet confirmed. In this article we discuss genetic risk fact ors, gene-environment interaction, the feasibility of genetic testing, psychiatric genetic counseling, and the dangers of genetic discrimina tion as they apply to schizophrenia. We also address and correct speci fic misconceptions about the genetics of schizophrenia held by many in the scientific community and in the media, and discuss a blueprint fo r future genetic research and informed dissemination of findings to th e public and to lawmakers.