Mendelian randomization: prospects, potentials, and limitations

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Abstract
In this issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology we reprint a letter to the Lancet by Martijn Katan 1 and several commentaries 2 –7 concerning what has become known as ‘Mendelian randomization’ 8 –12—the use of genotype–disease associations to make inferences about environmentally modifiable causes of disease. Here we will reflect on the prospects, potentials, and limitations of Mendelian randomization.