Is income in the genes?

From Genome-wide analysis identifies molecular systems and 149 genetic loci associated with income by W. David Hill, et al. From the Abstract.

Socioeconomic position (SEP) is a multi-dimensional construct reflecting (and influencing) multiple socio-cultural, physical, and environmental factors. In a sample of 286,301 participants from UK Biobank, we identify 30 (29 previously unreported) independent-loci associated with income. Using a method to meta-analyze data from genetically-correlated traits, we identify an additional 120 income-associated loci. These loci show clear evidence of functionality, with transcriptional differences identified across multiple cortical tissues, and links to GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. By combining our genome wide association study on income with data from eQTL studies and chromatin interactions, 24 genes are prioritized for follow up, 18 of which were previously associated with intelligence. We identify intelligence as one of the likely causal, partly-heritable phenotypes that might bridge the gap between molecular genetic inheritance and phenotypic consequence in terms of income differences. These results indicate that, in modern era Great Britain, genetic effects contribute towards some of the observed socioeconomic inequalities.

Well, yes. But how much? Embedded in the text, they reveal that the identified genes might explain as much as 7% of the variance in income.

And holding aside income as an appropriate measure of "success."

I am generally skeptical of the pursuit of singular genetic causes of complex outcomes - IQ being one example and Income being another. It is not an unreasonable pursuit but complex outcomes tend to have multi-causal origins. As indicated in this research by the fact that the 24 identified genes only explain possibly 7% of variance.

There is unavoidably a whiff of eugenics in such research but I think the wonder of complexity will almost always thwart whatever pre-existing assumptions there might be and will frustrate the eugenicist fantasy of engineered humans.

Circumstances and choices are always real factors, usually with greater effect sizes.