Medulina Matu | Dr Suhas Ganesh

“Oh! You are so tall – your parents must be six-footers, right?”

We often ponder this when meeting someone much taller than average. In everyday conversations, people generally accept that heredity contributes to height. But what about attributes like “a great sense of humour”, or being “often grumpy”? Does this extend to those who are “quick-tempered” or “the brightest I have ever met!”? What about those who struggle with depression, anxiety, or other serious disturbances of thoughts, emotions & behaviours? How much is inherited, and how much is shaped by the world around us?

Scientists broadly agree that both genes and the environment shape who we are. The real questions are: how much does each contribute, and which aspects of who we are are shaped by each? These debates become more complex when it comes to matters of the brain and the mind. In this talk, Dr Suhas Ganesh will…