Genetic correlation is the proportion of variance that two traits share due to genetic causes. Outside the theoretical boundary case of traits with zero heritability (the proportion of observable differences in a trait between individuals within a population that is due to genetic differences), the genetic correlation of traits is independent of their heritability: i.e., two traits can have a very high genetic correlation even when the heritability of each is low and vice versa.
The genetic correlation, then, tells us how much of the genetic influence on two traits is common to both: if it is above zero, this suggests that the two traits are influenced by common genes. This can be an important constraint on conceptualizations of the two traits: traits which seem different phenotypically but which share a common genetic basis require an explanation for how these genes can influence both traits.
For example, consider two traits - dark skin and black hair. These two traits may individually have a very high heritability (most of the population-level variation in the trait due to genetic differences, or in simpler terms, genetics contributes significantly to these two traits), however, they may still have a very low genetic correlation if, for instance, these two traits were being controlled by different, non-overlapping, non-linked genetic loci.
Read more about Genetic Correlation: Computing The Genetic Correlation, See Also
Famous quotes containing the word genetic:
“Nature, we are starting to realize, is every bit as important as nurture. Genetic influences, brain chemistry, and neurological development contribute strongly to who we are as children and what we become as adults. For example, tendencies to excessive worrying or timidity, leadership qualities, risk taking, obedience to authority, all appear to have a constitutional aspect.”
—Stanley Turecki (20th century)