--- title: "Gene-environment correlation: natural exp't.-based strategy. | Sutter Health" description: "Natural experiments could protect against potential bias introduced by gene-environment correlations." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gene-env-correlation-natural-expt-strategy-1055312367" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Gene-environment correlation: natural exp't.-based strategy. # Gene-environment correlation: difficulties and a natural experiment-based strategy. Wagner B, Li J, Liu H, & Guo G. _Am J Public Health. 103 Suppl 1:S167-73. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301415. Epub 2013 Aug 8._ 2013-10-01 ## Abstract OBJECTIVES: We explored how gene-environment correlations can result in endogenous models, how natural experiments can protect against this threat, and if unbiased estimates from natural experiments are generalizable to other contexts. METHODS: We compared a natural experiment, the College Roommate Study, which measured genes and behaviors of college students and their randomly assigned roommates in a southern public university, with observational data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health in 2008. We predicted exposure to exercising peers using genetic markers and estimated environmental effects on alcohol consumption. A mixed-linear model estimated an alcohol consumption variance that was attributable to genetic markers and across peer environments. RESULTS: Peer exercise environment was associated with respondent genotype in observational data, but not in the natural experiment. The effects of peer drinking and presence of a general gene-environment interaction were similar between data sets. CONCLUSIONS: Natural experiments, like random roommate assignment, could protect against potential bias introduced by gene-environment correlations. When combined with representative observational data, unbiased and generalizable causal effects could be estimated. [PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=wagner+b%2C+li+j%2C+liu+h) ![Jiang Li, Ph.D., MPH](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/H4OFJqNxBzDqkSWaIqDBiZgqIsHNsHLWdLuMd9IlNx0/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Jiang Li, Ph.D., MPH Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/jiang-li-phd-mph-1049681008) ## Research topics - [Alcohol Epidemiology](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Alcohol+Epidemiology%5C%22%22) - [Environmental Exposure](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Environmental+Exposure%5C%22%22) - [Genetics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Genetics%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Diverse transcriptional programs associated with environmental stress and hormones in the Arabidopsis receptor-like kinase gene family.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/transcription-programs-arabidopsis-receptor-like-genes-1055312696) Chae L, Sudat S, Dudoit S, Zhu T, Luan S. Mol Plant. 2(1):84-107. doi: 10.1093/mp/ssn083. 2009 Jan 01 - Publication ### [Depression in medical students: gene-environment interactions.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/med-students-depression-gene-environmt-1055312484) Rosen D, Mascaro N, Arnau R, Escamilla M, Tai-Seale M, Ficht A, Sanders C, Henderson P, Hoang U, Stephenson K. Ann Behav Sci Med Educ. 16(2):8-14. 2010 Feb 01 - Publication ### [Green roof storm water retention: effects of roof surface, slope, and media depth.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/green-roof-stormwater-retention-1055312932) VanWoert ND, Rowe DB, Andresen JA, Rugh CL, Fernandez RT, Xiao L. J Environ Qual. 34(3):1036-44. Print 2005 May-Jun. 2005 May 11 - Publication ### [Re: "Operating room sound level hazards for patients and physicians."](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/operating-room-sound-level-hazards-pts-mds-1055312943) Hetzler D. Otol Neurotol. 32(2):345; author reply 345. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182040c67. Otol Neurotol. 2011 Feb;32(2):345; author reply 345. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182040c67. 2011 Feb 01 - Publication ### [Bovine mammary gene expression profiling using a cDNA microarray enhanced for mammary-specific transcripts.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/bovine-mammary-gene-expression-profiles-1055312941) Suchyta SP, Sipkovsky S, Halgren RG, Kruska R, Elftman M, Weber-Nielsen M, Vandehaar MJ, Xiao L, Tempelman RJ, Coussens PM. Physiol Genomics. 16(1):8-18. 2003 Dec 16 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gene-env-correlation-natural-expt-strategy-1055312367#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Gene-environment correlation: natural exp't.-based strategy."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gene-env-correlation-natural-expt-strategy-1055312367#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Gene-environment correlation: difficulties and a natural experiment-based strategy.","headline":"Gene-environment correlation: natural exp't.-based strategy.","abstract":"OBJECTIVES: We explored how gene-environment correlations can result in endogenous models, how natural experiments can protect against this threat, and if unbiased estimates from natural experiments are generalizable to other contexts. METHODS: We compared a natural experiment, the College Roommate Study, which measured genes and behaviors of college students and their randomly assigned roommates in a southern public university, with observational data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health in 2008. We predicted exposure to exercising peers using genetic markers and estimated environmental effects on alcohol consumption. A mixed-linear model estimated an alcohol consumption variance that was attributable to genetic markers and across peer environments. RESULTS: Peer exercise environment was associated with respondent genotype in observational data, but not in the natural experiment. The effects of peer drinking and presence of a general gene-environment interaction were similar between data sets. CONCLUSIONS: Natural experiments, like random roommate assignment, could protect against potential bias introduced by gene-environment correlations. 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