Pygmalion in the genes? On the potentially negative impacts of polygenic scores for educational attainment

Lucas Matthews, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Columbia University and the Hastings Center

Genetic testing for educational outcomes – e.g., intelligence, math ability, reading ability, and educational attainment – are currently available to the general public via third-party, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies. Prominent behavior geneticists are proposing to use such genetic tests in educational settings via “precision education,” which involves tailoring individual student learning plans to genetic test results. In this seminar, Dr. Matthews will discuss recent research on this “geneticization” of education, and the potentially negative psychosocial impacts related to the application of genetic testing in educational settings. Dr. Matthews’ research points to potential stigma and self-fulfilling prophecies in which student performance may be negatively impacted by disappointing results on genetic tests for educational outcomes – a “genetic Pygmalion effect.” 

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Co-hosted by the Department of Human Genetics and the Center for Bioethics & Health Law.