#58 Robert Plomin Round 2: Intelligence, Mental Health, Personality and the Future of Designer Babies episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 23, 2025 · 2H 38M

#58 Robert Plomin Round 2: Intelligence, Mental Health, Personality and the Future of Designer Babies

from The Giants Shoulder · host Evan McGloughlin

Get 10% off your Genetics Test and screen for over 2000+ conditions (Use Code EVAN10): https://nucleusgenomics.sjv.io/LKE9EaDr. Robert Plomin is one of the world’s leading behavioural geneticists and the author of Blueprint, a game-changing book that argues your DNA isn’t just important — it’s the blueprint of who you are.Plomin’s groundbreaking twin studies revealed that nearly every psychological trait — from intelligence and personality to mental illness and addiction — is significantly heritable. Now, he’s at the forefront of a new revolution: polygenic scores that can predict your future from birth… or even before.Expect to learn how polygenic scores are reshaping psychology and medicine, what your genome can reveal about your intelligence, mental health, and personality, why traditional ideas about nurture are collapsing, the shocking truth about educational inequality, how gene editing and embryo selection are becoming real-world tools, what role companies like Orchid play in designing future generations, why Elon Musk might be building babies in Gattaca labs, and whether free will can survive in a world where your genes know you better than you know yourself....Timestamps: 00:00 Intro3:00 Introduction to Nucleus Genomics and Genetic Testing9:06 In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Screening14:52 The Role of Polygenic Scores in Decision Making20:47 Screening for Monogenic Disorders26:49 The Transition from SNP Chips to Whole Genome Sequencing33:37 The Evolution of Genetic Testing39:50 Navigating Parental Choices in IVF45:55 Probabilistic Nature of Genetic Traits53:54 The Future of Genetic Predictions1:02:17 Capitalism and Ethical Dilemmas in Gene Editing1:07:25 Gene Editing: Possibilities and Concerns1:14:05 CRISPR Babies and Ethical Boundaries1:22:26 Recreational Drugs and Genetic Insights1:30:49 Neurodivergence and Genetic Selection1:36:16 Exploring the Low End of Polygenic Scores1:41:39 AI's Role in Genetics1:48:30 Understanding Genetic Risks and Carrier Genes1:54:32 The Intersection of Genetics and Athleticism2:04:59 Genetic Diversity and Predictive Power2:14:50 Understanding Non-Shared Environment2:22:37 The Impact of Randomness in Life2:34:40 Concluding Thoughts on Genetics and Environment...Neuroscience Products I Swear By (Supports the Channel)Sentia Spirits: https://sentiaspirits.com/mcgloughlin4209355084Manta Sleep Mask: Get the Comfiest Sleep Mask on the Planet (Use Code GIANTSMANTA10 https://bit.ly/4ilzfBL )Brain.FM: Music Entrainment for Focused Deep Work (30 Day Free Trial: https://www.brain.fm/giantsshoulder)Consensus.AI: https://get.consensus.app/we00d2cmjpqeFollow My Neuroscience Podcast - The Giants Shoulder Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5m3Gta5MtIYdk59pb2GJ7M?si=b33232eae67b4126Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/brief-enquiry-to-the-brain/id1752486249

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#58 Robert Plomin Round 2: Intelligence, Mental Health, Personality and the Future of Designer Babies

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