Scientists delve into Beethoven’s DNA and reveal that genes can (yet) tell us little about musicality

Can you predict whether someone has a talent for music based on genes? New research shows that the answer is not that simple. For example, Beethoven’s musical genes do not score particularly high in the area of ​​rhythm sense.

Scientists have been wondering for a long time: can extraordinary talent be predicted on the basis of genes? That question used to be difficult to answer, but with today’s improved techniques, researchers thought it would be a good idea to try again. And although a number of studies have already been conducted that tentatively suggest this, a recent study has now been published that mainly serves as a warning. Researcher Laura Wesseldijk explains: “We had the study registered before we started the analysis. During this registration we emphasized that we had no expectations of how Beethoven’s DNA would score. Our main goal was to show how difficult it is to make genetic predictions for an individual who lived more than 200 years ago.” The research has been published in the journal Current Biology.

Beethoven’s hair
The scientists began their study by drawing on another study, led by Tristan Begg, that looked at Beethoven’s hair. Begg’s research at the time focused mainly on calculating so-called ‘polygenic indices‘ (PGI); a score that determines how much predisposition someone has for a certain character trait based on their DNA. For this score, the effect that different DNA variants have on an individual’s final performance is taken into account. This general information comes from large general studies into specific character traits, also known as ‘genome-wide association studies‘(GWAS).

So in short: the data from GWAS studies is ultimately used to link specific DNA variations and combinations to having specific character traits. An individual’s DNA is then ‘scanned’ for these variations to ultimately calculate a personal PGI score – which means more can be said about how talented someone is based on his or her genes. Wesseldijk adds: “We calculated a PGI score for the study based on the ability to clap synchronously to the beat. This ability is related to musicality in general.” The researchers used a GWAS study in which a total of 606,826 individuals had participated. During this study, participants were asked if they could clap to the beat. This made it possible to identify specific DNA variations that would be associated with a strong sense of rhythm. After analyzing the GWAS results, it was time to look at Beethoven’s DNA, which ultimately allowed his PGI score to be calculated.

Unfortunately, a score in itself is not very useful; it is especially interesting to compare these with the scores of others so that the results can be placed in context. For this final step, the researchers used two large DNA datasets to compare Beethoven’s score with those of other individuals. It was during this comparison that the researchers discovered that Beethoven did not score that high at all – and even remained below average. Fellow scientist and team member Simon Fisher explains: “It would of course be wrong to conclude that Beethoven’s low PGI score means that he was not a special musician. Instead, we conclude that this study has provided an important lesson: we have proven that using a genetic test cannot always prove whether someone has a predisposition for something.”

Musical genes
The scientists emphasize that this research does not alter the fact that musicality can indeed be in the genes – and that this has even been demonstrated several times before. For example, previous studies show that on average there is a 42% chance that children will inherit their parents’ musical talent. Studying the genetic material of a large group of people can certainly help explain why musical skills and behaviors differ from person to person. And, for example, also provide more insight into how musicality relates to other properties – such as people’s mental health. But using DNA to predict the behavior of specific individuals is – as this research shows – still very difficult.

Genetic predisposition(?)
The research is especially significant because of the cautionary implications it has. The researchers point out that PGI scores can be very useful, provided they are used with some caution. There are quite a number of pitfalls for scientists who rely too much on PGI scores for their conclusions, or who use data from random GWAS studies. In their report, the scientists mention a number of weaknesses of PGI scores to better illustrate this. The scientists point out that the GWAS studies used can have a very large effect on the final PGI scores: after all, these studies determine which combinations are ‘normal’ and which combinations can predict talent. It is important to note that some genetic associations may be strongly related to local culture. This means that the results of a GWAS study cannot simply be used worldwide: other countries not only have different cultures and customs, but often also different DNA variations. As a result, some cultural elements may ultimately have a major effect on the relationships found, causing GWAS studies to differ from each other.

In addition, the researchers point out another sore point of PGI scores: the population size used is also very important. PGI scores are mainly relevant for larger groups, and therefore not so much per individual. It is possible for someone to have a low PGI score in a certain area, while in reality the same person excels in the same subject – just as was the case with Beethoven. The scientists conclude their research with valuable advice: as a researcher, do not look exclusively at PGI scores. Instead, it is much better to take other factors into account, such as place, time and the environment in which someone grows up.

Finally, the scientists seem to refer almost directly to Begg’s aforementioned research with their advice. This scientist had a good reason to analyze Beethoven’s hair: he hoped to learn more about the composer’s health in this way. The ultimate goal at the time was to find out where Beethoven’s various health ailments came from. For example, Beethoven suffered greatly from liver problems. Begg wanted to determine whether there was a genetic predisposition to this condition. Ultimately this turned out to be the case: Beethoven scored very high on a predisposition to liver cirrhosis. As a result, it was concluded at the time that PGI scores can predict whether or not someone has a predisposition for something, even at an individual level. This research paints a slightly different picture: PGI scores ultimately only provide part of the solution – and therefore not the whole answer.