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Variability in the Y Chromosome and Variability of Human Behavior
Elizabeth Dorus, PhD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1980;37(5):587-594.
Abstract
Two kinds of variability in the Y chromosome have been assessed in relation to variability of human behavior. The first is the presence of a supernumerary Y chromosome, which is found in two karyotypic variants, 47,XYY and 48,xxyy. The second is inherited variability in the length of the Y chromosome, which results from variability in the length of the quinacrine-binding fluorescent segment. In this article, I review the evidence that these two kinds of variability in the Y chromosome are related to variability of human behavior, and I indicate the methodological and statistical difficulties that are encountered in assessments of such a relationship. My final purpose is to underscore the need for mapping of the Y chromosome and to elucidate the function of the constitutive heterochromatin that constitutes its fluorescent segment so that progress can be made in the study of the Y chromosome and the possible effect of its variability on behavior.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Dec 26, 1978.
Reprint requests to Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, 950 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637 (Dr Dorus).
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