eMJA: Genotype–phenotype correlations with personality traits of healthcare professionals: a new use for the Human Genome Project

Letters

Genotype–phenotype correlations with personality traits of healthcare professionals: a new use for the Human Genome Project

Lachlan Brown

MJA2002; 176 (12): 620

To the Editor: Fitzgerald and Isaacs' recent article on genotype–phenotype correlations in healthcare professionals describes some truly original research in an area of exceptional relevance.1 However, some of their conclusions fail the analytical technique described by others as "the common sense test".2

Most obviously, the finding of complete deletion of all personality genes in orthopaedic surgeons sits uncomfortably with clinical experience, which suggests a plethora of witty and indeed charismatic members of that specialty. The authors have erred in making an admission of reading The Medical Journal of Australia on at least a semi-regular basis as an inclusion criterion for the study. As this would include only a minuscule proportion of the orthopaedic population, their sampling was surely unrepresentative.

By the same criterion, it is likely that there are few theatre sisters who would admit to being semi-regular readers of the Journal. Those who do are probably married to members of the medical profession, which would explain the (bel) indifference phenotype.

Fitzgerald DA, Isaacs D. Genotype–phenotype correlations with personality traits of healthcare professionals: a new use for the Human Genome Project. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 339-340. <PubMed>
Rees P. Doctors win TPA inquiry. Aust Med 2001, 17 Sep: 1-2.

(Received 11 Apr 2002, accepted 9 May 2002)

Batehaven Medical Centre, Batehaven, NSW.

Lachlan Brown, MB BS, FRACGP, General Practitioner.

Correspondence: Dr Lachlan Brown, Batehaven Medical Centre, PO Box 3081, Batehaven, NSW 2536.

Dominic A Fitzgerald and David Isaacs

In reply: We welcome Brown's observations. However, with regard to orthopaedic surgeons, we are unaware of any correlation between affability and ability.

(Received 8 May 2002, accepted 9 May 2002)

The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW.

Dominic A Fitzgerald, Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine; David Isaacs, Senior Staff Physician and Clinical Professor, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases.

Correspondence: Dominic A Fitzgerald, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, PO Box 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145.'

C Ross Philpot

To the Editor: I was impressed by the article on the seven deadly genes in a recent issue of the Journal.1

Your readers may also be interested to learn that we have recently discovered an entire family of antisocial recessive genes in colleagues and patients. 2 These include the stalk-r gene (not only in patients who stalk doctors, but also in doctors who molest their patients3) and the hum-r gene for socially inappropriate comicality, which clearly invites correlation with the dub (formerly cyn) gene for cynicism and medical humour.1

I cordially wish Fitzgerald and Isaacs the Best of British (and Irish) luck with the lofty ambitions expressed in the penultimate paragraph of their discussion; and, together with Arthur Koestler, we speculate that "in lieu of abolishing language the only way to curb human destructiveness would be to retool the brain", and that "advances in genetic engineering might encourage evolution along its path".4

Fitzgerald DA, Isaacs D. Genotype–phenotype correlations with personality traits of healthcare professionals: a new use for the Human Genome Project. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 339-340. <PubMed>
Brook-Shawcross KRSG, Tunbridge JDA. A family of hitherto undescribed antisocial recessive genes in healthcare professionals and their patients. J Unpub Res 2002; 42. In press.
Pathé MT, Mullen PE, Purcell R. Patients who stalk doctors: their motives and management. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 335-338. <PubMed>
Cesarani D. Arthur Koestler. The homeless mind. Chapter 13: Reculer pour mieux sauter 1967–76. London: William Heineman: 498. 1998.

(Received 8 May 2002, accepted 9 May 2002)

Infectious Diseases Department, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville South, SA.

C Ross Philpot, BMedSc(Hons), MB BS, FRACP, MASM, FACSHP, Physician and Sexual Health Physician.

Correspondence: Dr C Ross Philpot, Infectious Diseases Department, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville South, SA 5011. carlisleATchariot.net.au

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