A Look at the Inheritance of Height Using Regression toward the Mean

A reanalysis of the family growth study of Pearson and Lee (1903) leads to an explanation of the inheritance of height other than the one that has been offered until now. By acknowledging that the father may be incorrectly identified, this new analysis provides a more relevant explanation of the dat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHuman biology Vol. 72; no. 3; pp. 447 - 454
Main Author CLEMONS, TRACI
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Wayne State University Press 01.06.2000
Johns Hopkins Press
Subjects
Age Distribution
Biology
Body height
Body Height - genetics
Coefficients
Covariance
Daughters
Families & family life
Fathers
Female
Genetic aspects
Genetic inheritance
Height
Humans
Least squares
Male
Mathematical independent variables
Models, Statistical
Mothers
Population Surveillance
Probability
Regression Analysis
Regression coefficients
Sex Distribution
Sons
Stature
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Summary:A reanalysis of the family growth study of Pearson and Lee (1903) leads to an explanation of the inheritance of height other than the one that has been offered until now. By acknowledging that the father may be incorrectly identified, this new analysis provides a more relevant explanation of the data: it fits parallel regression lines for sons and daughters, and is consonant with the theory that each parent contributes equally to the genetic makeup of their offspring, at least as far as height is concerned. The problem seems to lie in identifying the correct parents.
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ISSN:0018-7143
1534-6617