Researchers Try To Identify the Intelligence Gene

An anonymous reader writes "The world's largest brain study to date, with a team of more than 200 scientists from 100 institutions worldwide collaborated to map the human genes that boost or sabotage the brain's resistance to a variety of mental illnesses and Alzheimer's disease. The study also uncovered new genes that may explain individual differences in brain size and intelligence. From the article: 'Following a brain study on an unprecedented scale, an international collaboration has now managed to tease out a single gene that does have a measurable effect on intelligence. But the effect – although measurable – is small: the gene alters IQ by just 1.29 points. According to some researchers, that essentially proves that intelligence relies on the action of a multitude of genes after all.'"

Comments

The downside genetic engineering

[crazyjj]

My intelligence is about all I have going for me. I know it's selfish, but I shudder to think of living in a world where *everyone* is smart by default. I didn't get kicked around all those years by the jocks just to settle for being an average intellect.

Of course, I guess genetic engineering will probably turn everyone into super athletes too. But athletic prowess is a short-term thing anyway. Intellect is supposed to be for the long-term. But when/if the engineering starts, intellects (like athletes) will always be looking over their shoulders at their better engineered youngers gaining on them.

Re:The downside genetic engineering

[Quiet_Desperation]

Can we at least raise up the lower end? You know, maybe get a majority that stops voting for sociopaths?

Re:The downside genetic engineering

[RivenAleem]

We need to, while we're at it, identify a gene that predisposes people to keep off my lawn.

Re:The downside genetic engineering

[StikyPad]

You say that as if people are incapable of using intellect instead of just ignoring it and focusing on their feelings. I haven't met very many stupid people, but I've met lots of intellectually lazy people.

1.29 plus or minus what?

[PvtVoid]

Oh, for crying out loud. IQ tests must have a bigger measurement error than plus or minus 2, which means that the 1.29-point alteration is smaller than the measurement error. I.e., no effect.

Uhh....really?

[netwarerip]

'According to some researchers, that essentially proves that intelligence relies on the action of a multitude of genes after all.'"

Apparently, those researchers don't have that gene.

Re:Uhh....really?

[N0Man74]

If only humans had simpler and less powerful brains. Then we might be able to figure out how they work!

Oh... wait....

Proof

[StripedCow]

According to some researchers, that essentially proves

According to some other researchers, the verb "prove" has lost its meaning.

6 genes just for height

[djKing]

I've been told, by a bio ethicist, that there at six genes that influence height. So the idea that's there's just one gene for IQ seems odd.

Screw intelligence gene

[poity]

IQ is overrated. We'd all be better off with a anti-procrastination or anti-irrational-fear gene