Troy Camplin we know that the genetic factor is not the deciding factor because we see increased prevalence of depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia across time and culture. Our genetic heritage has clearly not changed and yet the incidence of mental illness is changing. Liah Greenfeld’s Mind, Modernity, and Madness provides a compelling account of the cultural factors associated with modernity being a key element,

https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Modernity-Madness-Culture-Experience/dp/0674072766

There is tremendous funding to identify genetic correlates with various outcomes, but almost none to research the cultural correlates. Thus one constantly reads about genetic correlates. But until we address the cultural issues that lead to increased prevalence of these conditions, identifying genetic correlates is largely a waste of time — if the cultural conditions continue to degenerate, then each new cohort for whom we discover a genetic correlate is simply a new cohort of “canaries in the coal mine.”

Yes, some genetic profiles are especially susceptible to the diseases of modernity, both with respect to metabolic syndrome and mental illness. Thus one can always find genetic correlates. But we should also be focused on the risk factors of modernity, so to speak, and how to compensate for them or work around them. The paleo diet movement is one faddish, but not entirely misguided approach to addressing metabolic syndrome. I see the creation of small, caring schools with coherent norms in support of meaning and purpose as a “paleo education” complement designed to address the rise of mental illness associated with modernity.