AZStarNet is running an article stating that North Carolina scientists claim to have identified a gene that affects IQ in males. The difference is apparently quite striking, with the average IQ difference between those that had the gene and those that didn't being approximately 20 points. From the article:
However, he stressed that the IQ results in his research were based on a group average; individual males carrying the gene version had a wide range of IQ scores. While females also can carry the variation, it does not appear to affect their IQ, he said.
The difficulty comes from the type of IQ test used. Technically, the original definition of Intelligence Quotient was the ratio between what an individual HAS scholastically learned by age X...and what they SHOULD have scholastically learned by age X.
However, in recent years, researchers have come up with almost unlimited IQ definitions and IQ tests designed to try and measure creative ability, inherent intelligence, learning ability, ad nauseum.
So the REAL question is...what type of Intelligence did the IQ test in question measure (learning, memory, spatial skills, or all of the above and in what percentages)...and, expounding, what does the gene in question affect that interferes with these specifically measured types of intelligence?
And, unfortunately, one must also take into consideration the limited scope of the test group (all from the same age group in schools in the same geographical area.) It is a fairly well established concept that the different lobes of the brain grow and develop in response to stimulus. If spatial skills (for example) are not well taught...all students would be deficient in this development. However, if the gene were to affect a lobe affecting spatial interpretation skills perhaps students without the weakened gene have done a better job of filling in the gap.
One must also consider that the limited age group means this could not be an issue of a gene affecting intelligence, but a gene affecting development. I.E. those with the weaker version simply develop a skill later than those with the more active version. Another relatively well accepted concept is that the brain continues to develop and actually change lobe shape throughout life...as opposed to fixing at a young age. Therefore, at age 10, the gene simply may not yet be active enough.
NinjaThat
Santa Rosa, CA
August 2005
DEC 08, 2005 07:09 AM