Data and Theory Point to Mainly Additive Genetic Variance for Complex Traits

The relative proportion of additive and non-additive variation for complex traits is important in evolutionary biology, medicine, and agriculture. We address a long-standing controversy and paradox about the contribution of non-additive genetic variation, namely that knowledge about biological pathways and gene networks imply that epistasis is important. Yet empirical data across a range of traits and species imply that most genetic variance is additive. We evaluate the evidence from empirical studies of genetic variance components and find that additive variance typically accounts for over half, and often close to 100%, of the total genetic variance. We present new theoretical results, based upon the…

• MR
  Medical Research Council
• AR
  Australian Research Council

  Award: DP0770096
• NH
  National Health and Medical Research Council

  Awards: 442915, 389892