147k views
5 votes
Of the following, which would provide the strongest evidence for a genetic component to schizophrenia?

A. a high concordance rate among the general population

B. a higher concordance rate for fraternal twins than for other siblings

C. a high concordance rate among identical twins raised apart

D. a higher concordance rate for fraternal twins than for identical twins

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The strongest evidence for a genetic component to schizophrenia is a high concordance rate among identical twins raised apart, as this indicates a genetic basis regardless of environmental differences.

Step-by-step explanation:

Of the options provided, C. a high concordance rate among identical twins raised apart would provide the strongest evidence for a genetic component to schizophrenia. Concordance rates refer to the presence of the same trait in both members of a pair of twins. If identical twins, who share 100% of their genes, have a high rate of both developing schizophrenia even when raised apart in different environments, it strongly suggests that the cause is genetic since they do not share the same environmental influences. This highlights the significance of genetics over environment in the development of the disease. In contrast, a higher concordance rate for fraternal twins than for identical twins or among the general population would not make sense genetically as identical twins share more DNA, and a difference in concordance rates among twins raised together could also reflect environmental influences.

User Alejandro Condori
by
8.6k points