How DNA Makes Us Who We Are

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Does the blueprint for our individuality lie in the 1% of DNA that differentiates us all? 

A pioneer in the field of behavioural genetics and the study of twins, Professor Robert Plomin makes the case that DNA is the most important factor shaping who we are. In his latest book Blueprint, Professor Plomin shows how the DNA present in the single cell with which we all begin our lives can impact our behaviour in childhood and throughout our adult lives. 
Looking at the role of genetics in education, Plomin argues that whilst our families, schools and the environment around us are important, when it comes to academic attainment, they are not as influential as our genes.

According to Plomin, DNA testing of children could help tackle educational inequalities early on, by identifying ability and need, resulting in better and more tailored support for disadvantaged children.

But if we can predict a child’s school performance from their genes now, what does this mean for education policy and teaching methods in the future? And if children are screened for heritable intelligence, how will that data be used - and stored?

Join Robert Plomin at the RSA as he shares the latest insights emerging from the revolutionary field of personal genomics - and challenges the way we think about parenting, education and social mobility.