Story perspectives

Study Reveals Genes Influence 30% of Human Traits

11/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the University of Queensland and Illumina, Inc. analyzed genome sequencing data from 347,630 individuals to assess the genetic influence on human traits.
Genes account for an average of 30% of individual differences, with height heritability at 74% and fertility at 12%, and the work suggests genome sequencing can estimate heritability.
The study identified 11,243 common-variant and 886 rare-variant associations across 34 traits, reinforcing understanding of genetic contributions to health.

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Story summary

Researchers from the University of Queensland and Illumina, Inc. analyzed genome sequencing data from 347,630 individuals to assess the genetic influence on human traits.
Genes account for an average of 30% of individual differences, with height heritability at 74% and fertility at 12%, and the work suggests genome sequencing can estimate heritability.
The study identified 11,243 common-variant and 886 rare-variant associations across 34 traits, reinforcing understanding of genetic contributions to health.