Falconer's formula

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Falconer's formula is used to determine the genetic heritability of a trait based on the difference between twin correlations.

The formula is h_b² = 2(r_mz - r_dz), where h_b² is the broad sense heritability, r_mz is the (monozygotic) identical twin correlation, and r_dz is the (dizygotic) fraternal twin correlation.

It is also possible to do narrow-sense heritability estimates by using sibling/adoptee correlations:

h_n² = r_sib - r_ad, where h_n² is the narrow sense heritability, r_sib is the sibling correlation, and r_ad is the adoptee correlation.

[edit] References

• Falconer, DS, MacKay TFC. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics, 4th Ed. 1996. Longmans Green, Harlow, Essex, UK.

[edit] See also

• Douglas Scott Falconer
• Quantitative genetics