Explore a thought-provoking lecture from Princeton University sociologist Dalton Conley at The University of Chicago, where he discusses the controversial ideas from his book "The Social Genome." In this 34-minute talk, Conley examines the startling possibility that DNA-derived metrics could predict personal outcomes like income, education level, and even marriage partners. Discover how genes are influencing society in unexpected ways—from fertility clinics selecting embryos based on genetic traits to the emergence of "genetic sorting" in dating and residential patterns. Learn why the traditional nature versus nurture debate is fundamentally flawed, as Conley reveals the complex interrelationship between genetics and environment. The lecture raises critical questions about whether we're heading toward genetically determined inequality and what urgent policy discussions are needed to prevent scientific advances from creating dystopian outcomes.
Overview
Syllabus
Can Your DNA Predict Your Future?, with Dalton Conley
Taught by
The University of Chicago