Deniz Fraemke
@denizfraemke.bsky.social
PhD Candidate | GxE Interplay of cognitive development and educational attainment at Max-Planck Research Group „Biosocial“
Within Anomaly’s defense of eugenics, one passage in his book especially alarmed me. It implies that his advocacy for “free reproductive choice” applies only when people choose to 'enhance' — since once an “enhanced” majority exists, those who refuse may face coercion or exclusion from reproduction.
December 15, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Within Anomaly’s defense of eugenics, one passage in his book especially alarmed me. It implies that his advocacy for “free reproductive choice” applies only when people choose to 'enhance' — since once an “enhanced” majority exists, those who refuse may face coercion or exclusion from reproduction.
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Huh I wonder if there were any other global events happening in in 2008. Guess we’ll never know.
December 15, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Huh I wonder if there were any other global events happening in in 2008. Guess we’ll never know.
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
I wrote about the bizarre case of Herasight, the embryo selection company going all in on eugenics.
Embryo selection company Herasight goes all in on eugenics
...
open.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I wrote about the bizarre case of Herasight, the embryo selection company going all in on eugenics.
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
So happy to have co-authored this piece about IQ and education with my great colleague, the cognitive scientist and education expert Daniel Willingham @dtwuva.bsky.social. Our goal is to take intelligence seriously without lapsing into essentialism.
Ask the Cognitive Scientist: What Do IQ Scores Mean?
www.aft.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
So happy to have co-authored this piece about IQ and education with my great colleague, the cognitive scientist and education expert Daniel Willingham @dtwuva.bsky.social. Our goal is to take intelligence seriously without lapsing into essentialism.
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
1/4 Thrilled to be sharing new work published today in Nature describing the third wave of results from the PGC Cross-Disorder Group. This reflects a massive group effort to examine shared and unique genetic signal across >1 million cases for 14 psychiatric disorders. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Mapping the genetic landscape across 14 psychiatric disorders - Nature
Genomic analyses applied to 14 childhood- and adult-onset psychiatric disorders identifies five underlying genomic factors that explain the majority of the genetic variance of the individual disorders...
www.nature.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
1/4 Thrilled to be sharing new work published today in Nature describing the third wave of results from the PGC Cross-Disorder Group. This reflects a massive group effort to examine shared and unique genetic signal across >1 million cases for 14 psychiatric disorders. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
adulthood is cool until adult things happen
December 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
adulthood is cool until adult things happen
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
💼 💔 Academia’s toxic love language is playing “hard to get”
🧪 💓 Science is the beautiful pursuit of building knowledge
I wrote an essay for Nature Human Behaviour on treating academia as “just a job” www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What ideas would you add? 💡
#HigherEd #PhDLife #DiversityInSTEM
🧪 💓 Science is the beautiful pursuit of building knowledge
I wrote an essay for Nature Human Behaviour on treating academia as “just a job” www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What ideas would you add? 💡
#HigherEd #PhDLife #DiversityInSTEM
www.nature.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:24 AM
💼 💔 Academia’s toxic love language is playing “hard to get”
🧪 💓 Science is the beautiful pursuit of building knowledge
I wrote an essay for Nature Human Behaviour on treating academia as “just a job” www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What ideas would you add? 💡
#HigherEd #PhDLife #DiversityInSTEM
🧪 💓 Science is the beautiful pursuit of building knowledge
I wrote an essay for Nature Human Behaviour on treating academia as “just a job” www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What ideas would you add? 💡
#HigherEd #PhDLife #DiversityInSTEM
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
I wrote about missing heritability, "missing environmentality," and why I still think twin studies are interesting and valuable: kathrynpaigeharden.substack.com/p/twins-are-...
Twins Are So Much More Interesting Than Heritability Estimates
On starting places, "missing environmentality," and the Waddington landscape of life
kathrynpaigeharden.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I wrote about missing heritability, "missing environmentality," and why I still think twin studies are interesting and valuable: kathrynpaigeharden.substack.com/p/twins-are-...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Pick your fucking baby?!? JFC! They’re not fucking puppies.
December 4, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Pick your fucking baby?!? JFC! They’re not fucking puppies.
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Die Wirtschaft muss Haltung zeigen
Die Familienunternehmer öffnen sich für die #AfD. Dabei lebt die Wirtschaft von offenen Märkten, Stabilität und Vielfalt. Es ist ihre Aufgabe, diese Werte zu verteidigen.
Meine neue Kolumne:
www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2...
Die Familienunternehmer öffnen sich für die #AfD. Dabei lebt die Wirtschaft von offenen Märkten, Stabilität und Vielfalt. Es ist ihre Aufgabe, diese Werte zu verteidigen.
Meine neue Kolumne:
www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2...
Verband der Familienunternehmen: Die Wirtschaft muss Haltung zeigen
Die Familienunternehmer öffnen sich für die AfD. Dabei lebt die Wirtschaft von offenen Märkten, Stabilität und Vielfalt. Es ist ihre Aufgabe, diese Werte zu verteidigen.
www.zeit.de
November 28, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Die Wirtschaft muss Haltung zeigen
Die Familienunternehmer öffnen sich für die #AfD. Dabei lebt die Wirtschaft von offenen Märkten, Stabilität und Vielfalt. Es ist ihre Aufgabe, diese Werte zu verteidigen.
Meine neue Kolumne:
www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2...
Die Familienunternehmer öffnen sich für die #AfD. Dabei lebt die Wirtschaft von offenen Märkten, Stabilität und Vielfalt. Es ist ihre Aufgabe, diese Werte zu verteidigen.
Meine neue Kolumne:
www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
First time on Bsky and first big announcement!
I am excited to announce that our new study explaining the missing heritability of many phenotypes using WGS data from ~347,000 UK Biobank participants has just been published in @Nature.
Our manuscript is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41....
I am excited to announce that our new study explaining the missing heritability of many phenotypes using WGS data from ~347,000 UK Biobank participants has just been published in @Nature.
Our manuscript is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41....
Estimation and mapping of the missing heritability of human phenotypes - Nature
WGS data were used from 347,630 individuals with European ancestry in the UK Biobank to obtain high-precision estimates of coding and non-coding rare variant heritability for 34 co...
www.nature.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
First time on Bsky and first big announcement!
I am excited to announce that our new study explaining the missing heritability of many phenotypes using WGS data from ~347,000 UK Biobank participants has just been published in @Nature.
Our manuscript is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41....
I am excited to announce that our new study explaining the missing heritability of many phenotypes using WGS data from ~347,000 UK Biobank participants has just been published in @Nature.
Our manuscript is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41....
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Blog post: A Missing Heritability Update. Three legs and other problems. I follow up on the recent excellent post on the subject by @sashagusevposts.bsky.social. ericturkheimer.substack.com/p/missing-he...
Missing Heritability Revisited
Following up on Sasha
ericturkheimer.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Blog post: A Missing Heritability Update. Three legs and other problems. I follow up on the recent excellent post on the subject by @sashagusevposts.bsky.social. ericturkheimer.substack.com/p/missing-he...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
I wrote a little bit about the "missing heritability" question and several recent studies that have brought it to a close. A short 🧵
The missing heritability question is now (mostly) answered
Not with a bang but with a whimper
theinfinitesimal.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I wrote a little bit about the "missing heritability" question and several recent studies that have brought it to a close. A short 🧵
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
“You see, the endless renovation of the Stuttgart train station is a symbol of our late-capitalist condition: the project is always ‘in progress,’ yet nothing ever progresses. The construction site itself becomes the true destination.”
November 19, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“You see, the endless renovation of the Stuttgart train station is a symbol of our late-capitalist condition: the project is always ‘in progress,’ yet nothing ever progresses. The construction site itself becomes the true destination.”
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Pleitropy (a set of known variants influencing the target 'positive' trait yet also potentially influencing another unknown -perhaps negative- outcome is already concern by itself (even if you don't care about the ethics and exacerbeting existing inequalities part of it which obviously you should)
Unregulated and privatized polygenic embryo selection is a profound ethical threat.
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
There’s a new kid in town!
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Pleitropy (a set of known variants influencing the target 'positive' trait yet also potentially influencing another unknown -perhaps negative- outcome is already concern by itself (even if you don't care about the ethics and exacerbeting existing inequalities part of it which obviously you should)
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
With sequencing of Hitler's DNA making headlines, time for a reminder: analysing a polygenic score from a dead historically-significant figure won't give new insights into that person's behaviour. In a brief paper last year, we used Beethoven's genome to directly illustrate the fallacies involved.🧪👇
Notes from Beethoven’s genome
Wesseldijk et al. compare the genomic information collected from Ludwig van Beethoven
with population-based datasets used to quantify musical achievement.
www.cell.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:26 AM
With sequencing of Hitler's DNA making headlines, time for a reminder: analysing a polygenic score from a dead historically-significant figure won't give new insights into that person's behaviour. In a brief paper last year, we used Beethoven's genome to directly illustrate the fallacies involved.🧪👇
Unregulated and privatized polygenic embryo selection is a profound ethical threat.
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
There’s a new kid in town!
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Embryo selection based on polygenic prediction risks reinforcing social inequality
The rise of companies offering embryo selection based on genetic testing has triggered heated debate about ethical acceptability, as well as the accuracy and scientific validity of these techniques. W...
www.fertstert.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Unregulated and privatized polygenic embryo selection is a profound ethical threat.
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
This paper clearly articulates what is, in my opinion, one of the major ethical problems with polygenic embryo testing companies--that they are *companies* that sell health as a private commodity. from @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social & @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
Embryo selection based on polygenic prediction risks reinforcing social inequality
The rise of companies offering embryo selection based on genetic testing has triggered heated debate about ethical acceptability, as well as the accuracy and scientific validity of these techniques. W...
www.fertstert.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This paper clearly articulates what is, in my opinion, one of the major ethical problems with polygenic embryo testing companies--that they are *companies* that sell health as a private commodity. from @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social & @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Second thesis article now out in Political Behavior! Using PGIs for ~10 000 full-pair fraternal twins in STR, combined with rich, geo-coded register data, I highlight the compensatory interaction between genetics and family + neighbourhood factors, with regards to voting. 🗳️
doi.org/10.1007/s111...
doi.org/10.1007/s111...
November 11, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Second thesis article now out in Political Behavior! Using PGIs for ~10 000 full-pair fraternal twins in STR, combined with rich, geo-coded register data, I highlight the compensatory interaction between genetics and family + neighbourhood factors, with regards to voting. 🗳️
doi.org/10.1007/s111...
doi.org/10.1007/s111...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
With Paige Harden @kph3k.bsky.social we consider the greatness and bigotry of James Watson. Watson was not just a great scientist who turned out to be a bigot in his personal life. His bigotry was rooted in misunderstanding of the very science he created. Free link when I get one.
The Paradox of James Watson
The discovery of DNA was evidence of how deeply interconnected humans are, but the late scientist saw only difference.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
With Paige Harden @kph3k.bsky.social we consider the greatness and bigotry of James Watson. Watson was not just a great scientist who turned out to be a bigot in his personal life. His bigotry was rooted in misunderstanding of the very science he created. Free link when I get one.
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Interdisciplinary paper with @paulhufe.net Astrid Sandsør and Nicolai Borgen now out in PNAS!
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
The genetic lottery goes to school: Better schools compensate for the effects of students’ genetic differences
www.pnas.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Interdisciplinary paper with @paulhufe.net Astrid Sandsør and Nicolai Borgen now out in PNAS!
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
We have an open postdoc position in Social Science Genomics in Berlin!
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Postdoctoral Position in Social Science Genomics | Max Planck Research Group Biosocial
www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de
October 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
We have an open postdoc position in Social Science Genomics in Berlin!
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Includes gene-environment interplay within German population cohorts & experimental online survey studies to probe public perceptions of potential DNA biomarker applications
🔗 www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/2196134/2025...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
‼️ New RCT shows positive effects of public Montessori on kindergarten outcomes. Kids were randomized via lottery at age 3. A fairly racially- and economically-diverse sample because these were public programs.
Work from Angeline Lillard and colleagues at UVA.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Work from Angeline Lillard and colleagues at UVA.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:05 PM
‼️ New RCT shows positive effects of public Montessori on kindergarten outcomes. Kids were randomized via lottery at age 3. A fairly racially- and economically-diverse sample because these were public programs.
Work from Angeline Lillard and colleagues at UVA.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Work from Angeline Lillard and colleagues at UVA.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
If Harvard sneezes....
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
If Harvard sneezes....
Reposted by Deniz Fraemke
Illustrators call is out! Anyone who knows illustrators in Leipzig area! Tell them! All the info on this website: lauramayer.space/Science-Stre...
October 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Illustrators call is out! Anyone who knows illustrators in Leipzig area! Tell them! All the info on this website: lauramayer.space/Science-Stre...