Genetic Test for Intelligence?
Scientists are a step closer to a genetic test for intelligence after a study of Australian teenagers identified two regions of DNA linked to performance in IQ tests.
~The Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2005
Once again, we have people jumping the gun on preliminary genetic data. Scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research studied 634 sibling pairs from 329 Australian families. By scanning the genome, they found a linkage between IQ scores and chromosomes 2q and 6p. Similar results were found by Dutch researchers in a study of 225 people.
These chromosomal regions which contain hundreds of genes are probably related to brain function in general. Part of the region of interest on chromosome 2 also overlaps the 2q21-33 region implicated in autism. The region on chromosome 6 also has some overlap with the 6p22.3-21.31 region implicated in reading disability and dyslexia. (Am. J. Hum. Genet., 77:318-326, 2005)
Some fear that genetic testing of embryos for intelligence is just around the corner.
But Ian Findlay, of Brisbane company Gribbles Molecular Science, said he thought there would be pressure for screening of embryos, even though a test would be imprecise.
At this point, I doubt any company would invest money in making a general genetic test for intelligence. And, I don’t think most parents would take the risk of trying to select traits in their unborn child. But, if gene therapy becomes available, I can imagine that there would be people willing to try boosting their kids’ intelligence by a few points. I’ve already tried one form of enhancing my son’s intelligence by breastfeeding him.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
.gif)
4 opinions for Genetic Test for Intelligence?
ruth schaffer
Jul 25, 2005 at 2:59 am
gene therapy for the intellectually challenged? er, the problem is, would people recognize/admit that they need it?
i came across an article just a couple of weeks ago saying that in the ripe old age, IQ and EQ do not equate to happiness levels anyway. which is what’s important in life anyway, isn’t it? if i find that source again, will post it here. :)
Lei
Jul 25, 2005 at 3:23 am
LOL I think no matter how smart or dumb people are, they hope that their kids will be smarter! So gene therapy for kids wouldn’t be too far from some people’s minds.
As for happiness, maybe it’s overrated. HA!
Lei
Jul 25, 2005 at 6:57 am
BTW, Ruth, maybe this is what you were talking about?
Intelligence Doesn’t Guarantee Happiness
(http://www.foxnews.com/stor…)
Genetics and Health » Entrepreneurial Genes
Jun 28, 2006 at 4:15 am
[…] He’s got to be kidding. Genetic screening of business school and job applicants for the likelihood of entreprenurial or business success?! What are they going to think of next? Grade prediction using gene testing? There are already many waiting to avail themselves of genetic tests for intelligence. If that kind of DNA testing had been available when I was an undergrad, I shudder to think what the results might have portended. […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: