Project description
The hidden influence of genetic predictions
The environment shapes both physical and mental health, influencing even the expression of our DNA. Epigenetics reveals that gene-environment interactions are complex, with influences coming from both external conditions and internal factors. One overlooked factor is how people’s beliefs and knowledge production impact genetic expression. Scientific concerns are growing that predictions about genes may be self-reinforcing or reflexive, meaning they can influence the very outcomes they predict. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PredicGenX project explores how genetic risk information might create self-fulfilling prophecies, altering physiology beyond actual genetic predisposition. Specifically, the project examines the ethical and epistemic consequences of reflexive genetic prediction, shedding light on its implications for research, precision medicine, and therapeutic interventions.
Objective
Environmental factors are crucial to physical and mental health—they impact even the expression of our DNA. The study of epigenetics provides better understanding of gene-environment interaction. Environmental influence can come from outside and inside the organism but one environmental factor that is typically overlooked is people’s knowledge production and beliefs. PredicGenX responds to the scientific worry that predictions about genes are likely to be reflexive i.e. they impact the eventual outcome. Scholars have raised concerns that beliefs about genetic information affects genetic risk to match that information—a so-called self-fulfilling prophecy not unlike the placebo and nocebo effects. Studies showed that receiving one’s genetic risk profile can change physiology independent of actual genetic risk. Moreover, the current trend to focus on risk, biomarkers, and early diagnostics produces 'knowledge' which is inevitably based on undetermined information, given that gene expression is not fixed. Asserting genetic information as determined when the assertion itself has potential impact on genetic expression is especially alarming considering the popularity of direct-to-consumer genetic testing and precision medicine. Understanding the direct impact of genetic predictions on gene-expression, its vulnerability to feedback loops, and their moral implications is crucial, urgent, yet currently lacking. With this project, I aim to fill that knowledge gap. Through qualitative fieldwork and philosophical analysis, I will theorise the different ways in which reflexive (epi)genetic prediction manifests and—while detailing a descriptive account of the different models—offer an analysis of the epistemic and ethical implications of their reflexivity on research and practice, and the meaning for therapeutic intervention.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.