Can your DNA predict your income, education, and love life?
- Dalton Conley’s new book “The Social Genome” explores how genes shape society in profound ways.
- The author debunks the nature vs. nurture debate, revealing a deeply intertwined relationship between genetics and environment.
- Genetic science can forecast aspects of our lives, including income, education level, and even potential romantic partners.
- The rise of genetic sorting is becoming increasingly prevalent in areas like dating, zip codes, and fertility clinics.
- Conley raises concerns about the potential for genetically coded inequality and urges urgent policy conversations to prevent a dystopian future.
What if a single number, derived from your DNA, could predict your income, education level, or even who you’re likely to marry?
In his new book The Social Genome (WW Norton, 2025), Princeton University sociologist Dalton Conley explores the science behind how our genes are shaping our society in ways that are both profound and unsettling.
Conley explains how our genes, and the genes of those around us, are influencing our lives in ways we barely understand—from fertility clinics selecting embryos based on genetic traits to the rise of “genetic sorting” in everything from dating to zip codes. He also debunks the idea of nature versus nurture, revealing how deeply intertwined they truly are.
Are we heading toward a future of genetically coded inequality? And what policies and conversations are urgently needed to ensure we don’t cross the line from science into dystopia?
On this episode of the Big Brains podcast, Conley digs into how genetic science could forecast your future:
Read the transcript for this episode.
Source: University of Chicago
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Q. Can DNA predict an individual’s income?
A. According to Princeton University sociologist Dalton Conley, a single number derived from DNA can potentially predict an individual’s income.
Q. Can DNA predict an individual’s education level?
A. Yes, according to Conley, genetic science could forecast an individual’s future, including their education level.
Q. Can DNA predict who someone is likely to marry?
A. According to the article, genetic sorting in dating is becoming a reality, suggesting that DNA can potentially predict who someone is likely to marry.
Q. What is The Social Genome by Dalton Conley about?
A. The book explores how our genes are shaping society in profound and unsettling ways, including influencing fertility clinics’ decisions and the rise of genetic sorting.
Q. Does nature versus nurture have a clear distinction?
A. According to Conley, the idea of nature versus nurture is debunked, revealing that they are deeply intertwined.
Q. Is genetic science being used for discriminatory purposes?
A. The article raises concerns about the potential for genetically coded inequality and dystopia if not addressed through policies and conversations.
Q. What policies are needed to prevent a dystopian future?
A. The article implies that urgent conversation and policy-making are necessary to ensure that genetic science is used responsibly and equitably.
Q. How does genetic sorting work in dating?
A. According to the article, genetic sorting in dating involves using DNA to predict compatibility or potential matches.
Q. Is genetic science being used in fertility clinics?
A. Yes, according to Conley, fertility clinics are selecting embryos based on genetic traits, highlighting the influence of genetics on reproductive decisions.
Q. What is the significance of Dalton Conley’s work?
A. Conley’s work provides insight into how our genes are shaping society and influencing our lives in profound ways, sparking important conversations about responsibility and equity.
