Born to Thrive
Matching Genes with Environments
Introduction
In the intricate dance of human development, two powerful forces shape our lives: genetics and the environment. For years, scientists have debated the relative importance of nature versus nurture, but recent advances in neuroscience and genomics reveal that this debate overlooks a more profound truth. It’s not about one versus the other; it’s about their interplay.
With its remarkable adaptability, the human brain exemplifies this interaction perfectly. It undergoes two major developmental phases: the experience-expectant phase, where universal foundations are established, and the experience-dependent phase, where individual traits and skills are cultivated. This dual framework offers fresh insights into human potential, particularly when considering the influence of Polygenic Potential Scores (PPS) and Polygenic Environment Scores (PES) on the trajectory of our lives.
The Experience-Expectant Brain: Foundations of “Becoming”
In many ways, the human baby is an unfinished organism. Unlike other species that are born with more developed abilities—such as a foal that can stand within hours of birth—human infants arrive in the world dependent, vulnerable, and endowed with an extraordinary gift: a profoundly plastic brain.
What does that mean? Think of plasticity as the brain’s ability to mould and shape itself in response to the environment. At birth, the baby’s brain is not a fully formed system but a dynamic work-in-progress, primed to adapt to the world it encounters. From the relative calm and confinement of the womb, the baby is thrust into a whirlwind of sensory energy—a chaotic world of sights, sounds, touches, and emotions.
In this critical early phase, the experience-expectant phase, the baby’s brain is remarkably responsive to universal environmental inputs—elements the brain “expects” to encounter for normal development. This phase is aptly described as one of “becoming”, during which the foundations for lifelong sensory, emotional, and social processes are established.
For example:
Vision: The brain expects exposure to light to wire the visual cortex. These neural circuits won’t form properly without it, leading to irreversible deficits.
Language: The brain is primed to recognise and process speech. Hearing language shapes the development of neural circuits necessary for communication.
Emotional bonds with caregivers are essential for developing the neural architecture that supports emotional regulation and social connections throughout life.
These processes are not exclusive to humans; they are observed across numerous mammalian species. However, what distinguishes humans is the sheer magnitude of this plasticity. The infant's brain undergoes rapid growth and transformation, establishing millions of new neural connections every second as it engages with the world.
The Universality of “Becoming”
What’s remarkable about the experience-expectant brain is how universal it is. While individual differences will emerge later, this phase is shared across all population members and, indeed, across many species. The brain’s needs during this phase are remarkably consistent—light, sound, touch, and emotional connection.
This universality highlights the importance of getting it right. Without adequate input, the systems the brain is trying to build may not develop properly. A lack of light exposure in infancy can lead to permanent visual impairment. Inadequate emotional bonding can result in lifelong challenges with attachment and emotional regulation.
The stakes are high because this phase represents a period of heightened plasticity, during which the brain is most malleable and receptive to shaping. After this time, the opportunity to establish these foundational systems diminishes significantly.
From Chaos to Order: The Role of the Environment
The early environment plays an outsized role in shaping the experience-expectant brain. Imagine the baby’s brain as a blank canvas, with the environment acting as the brush and paint. The strokes don’t need to be precise—this is not about creating a masterpiece yet. Instead, it’s about providing the essential elements the brain needs to create order from chaos.
This phase highlights a profound truth: the human brain does not come pre-programmed. It comes pre-prepared. It has expectations of the world—inputs it relies on to fulfil its genetic blueprint. When those expectations are met, the brain flourishes. When they are not, the brain adapts, but often at a cost.
Without these universal inputs, the brain cannot fulfil its genetic blueprint during the crucial early phase of development. The experience-expectant phase is not solely about early survival; it is fundamentally about becoming human. This phase establishes the biological and emotional foundations that enable the Polygenic Potential Scores (PPS)—the genetic predispositions for individual traits and abilities—to flourish in later development.
During this phase, the brain’s universality is crucial. It does not yet distinguish itself based on individual predispositions; rather, it establishes the shared sensory, emotional, and social architecture that all humans require to thrive. These universal foundations—vision, attachment, motor coordination, and emotional regulation—are prerequisites for the experience-dependent phase, where individuality and diversity emerge. Without a solid foundation, the full potential of the PPS cannot be realised, regardless of how strong the genetic predisposition for a particular trait may be.
The Willowsway framework, emphasising Nutrition, Exercise, Gratitude, Love, and In-the-Moment Planning, ensures that the experience-expectant brain receives the necessary inputs to achieve this foundational state of “becoming.” These are not luxuries; they represent the universal conditions that every human brain requires to construct its essential framework. Without these inputs, the potential encoded in the genome remains dormant or suppressed, unable to reach its full expression in the later experience-dependent phase. In this context, the experience-expectant phase serves as the launchpad for human potential. It is the stage where the environment primes the brain to fulfil its universal needs, ensuring that the more individualised processes of the experience-dependent phase have the grounding they need to flourish. By neglecting these universal inputs, we risk undermining not only individual outcomes but also our species' collective diversity and resilience.
The Experience-Dependent Brain: The Emergence of Individuality
As the brain matures, it transitions into the experience-dependent phase, where individuality takes centre stage. Unlike the experience-expectant phase, this stage is not universal—it is where genetic predispositions interact with unique environments to shape traits such as creativity, empathy, resilience, and problem-solving.
This phase is particularly fascinating because it functions without rigid critical periods. Instead, it hinges on sensitive periods—windows of increased plasticity during which specific traits and abilities can be shaped by environmental input. Although this plasticity lessens with age, it never entirely disappears, offering opportunities for growth and adaptation throughout life.
Introducing Polygenic Potential Scores (PPS)
We need innovative tools that measure genetic predispositions beyond traditional methods to understand how individuality emerges during the experience-dependent development phase. This is where the concept of Polygenic Potential Scores (PPS) comes into play.
PPS represents the cumulative contribution of multiple genes to a specific trait or ability, offering a framework for understanding human diversity and potential. Unlike traditional Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS), which focus on susceptibility to conditions such as ADHD or ASD, PPS reframes the conversation. Rather than concentrating on “risk,” it emphasises opportunity, providing a more inclusive and neutral approach to exploring the spectrum of human traits.
However, it’s crucial to recognise that PPS is a concept for the future.
PPS and PES Passports: A Dynamic Guide to Human Potential
As research has progressed, we have developed Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) to identify genetic predispositions for Special Educational Needs (SENs). However, the next frontier involves exploring how Polygenic Potential Scores (PPS) can assist us in nurturing a broader range of experience-dependent outcomes, from creativity to resilience to empathy. Imagine a world where every child is born with a PPS and PES passport— a personalised and dynamic guide to their genetic predispositions and the environmental conditions that will enable them to thrive.
The nuance of these passports lies in their interaction. The PPS serves as a blueprint for understanding an individual’s unique genetic potential, while the PES provides a framework for designing environments that align with and amplify that potential. In essence, the PPS does not just identify possibilities—it informs the selection of PES factors most likely to optimise developmental outcomes.
How the Passports Work
PPS (Polygenic Potential Score): The PPS identifies predispositions for various traits—such as mathematical reasoning, empathy, creativity, and athletic ability. Instead of labelling these predispositions as “good” or “bad,” the PPS offers a neutral overview of the child’s genetic potential.
PES (Polygenic Environment Score): The PES represents the quality and type of environmental inputs interacting with the PPS. A high PES is achieved by environments tailored to the individual’s genetic blueprint. For example:
A child with a high PPS for creativity would benefit from a PES enriched with exploratory play, artistic materials, and opportunities for imaginative problem-solving. A child with a high PPS for emotional sensitivity would thrive in a PES rich in emotional connections, secure relationships, and structured social experiences.
Matching PPS and PES
The true power of these passports lies in their ability to match the PES to the PPS. By aligning environmental inputs with genetic predispositions, we can create personalised environments that nurture individual strengths and provide support in areas of challenge.
For instance, A child with a low PPS for executive functioning may benefit from a structured environment (PES) that incorporates tools and strategies to enhance organisation and planning, such as visual schedules or consistent routines. A child with a high PPS for empathy might need opportunities to engage in meaningful social interactions and collaborative projects to express their potential fully.
This alignment ensures that the environment partners in unlocking the child’s genetic potential, allowing their unique traits to flourish.
A Future of Personalised Growth
The PPS and PES passports represent a significant shift in our perspective on human development. We will no longer rely on one-size-fits-all educational or parenting models. Instead, we can create environments tailored to each individual’s unique genetic blueprint.
Rather than being deterministic, these passports empower families, educators, and policymakers to make informed choices. By understanding a child’s PPS and aligning it with the appropriate PES, we can ensure that every child has the best opportunity to reach their potential—not by forcing them into predetermined paths, but by providing them with the resources and environments they need to thrive.