Myth Debunked: Are genes the only determining factors in individual traits?
In a number of conditions, we do not inherit a particular disease, but instead inherit susceptibility
Typically, genes are not the only determining factors which result in particular traits being exhibited in different individuals.
While some traits are indeed strictly determined by inherited genes, environmental factors play a significant role in the observed phenotype in several other traits.
In a number of conditions such as myocardial infarction, we do not inherit a particular disease, but instead inherit susceptibility, or risk factors, that could lead to a particular disease given specific environmental factors.
Indeed, different studies have reported significantly varying levels of genetic contribution to specific diseases, with environmental factors providing a very significant risk themselves in several instances.