SEARCH FOR THE INTELLIGENCE GENE

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• SEARCH FOR THE INTELLIGENCE GENE

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What we already know about our genes
We inherit exactly 50 of our genes from each
parent Genes hold our information, i.e. traits,
defects, and possibly intelligence DNA sequences
which are attributed to traits, defects, and
possibly intelligence can be located,
manipulated, and even duplicated through a
variety of techniques, including PCR.
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• Definition of Intelligence
• Academic
• Analytic
• Creative
• Practical

• General Intelligence
• 50 attributed to parents
• Environment vs. Evolution

The theory arises out of the fact that genetic
therapy and enhancement research has lead to the
idea that all organs in the body can be repaired
if damaged through stem cells. So, is it
possible to improve the status of a damaged
brain? If so, is it possible to enhance a normal
brain?
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Recent Discoveries
In a recent article in BBC News.com, a team of
American scientists from U.S. National Institute
of Health studied the DNA of 200 bright children,
which was then compared to the DNA of normal
children. The results of the study led the
scientists to believe that there is, in fact, a
specific gene, or sequence of genes, which
attributes to greater intelligence.
One multiple-gene sequence attributed to
increased intelligence is the insulin-like
growth factor-2 receptor (IGF2R) as a gene on
chromosome 6 which is linked to intelligence
because it has, been shown to be especially
active in brain regions most involved in learning
and memory
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• Some scientists believe there is specific gene
  which is attributed to producing more nerve cells
  in the brain.
• Increased brain size is also an indication of
  greater intelligence.
• The genes which comprise intelligence factors can
  be passed to offspring.

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As of now this idea of genetic intelligence
enhancement in humans is purely theoretical, and
is only in research mode. The implications of
the research are disputed, however, by the
increasingly negative outlook on all genetic
enhancement. What is to stop parents from
genetically engineering a wunderkind, in which
they are basically shopping for the best child?