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History has taught you to be worried about people knowing genes (or clusters of genes) which correlate with intelligence, to various degrees?

• mturmon 16y ago
  The record of scientists in examining the links of race and intelligence is not so good. People tend to jump to conclusions even when they think they're being logical. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniometry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniometry
  • c1sc0 16y ago
    So just because scientists have been wrong on a topic we should stop exploring it when newer measuring tools become available? I encourage this kind of research, just because it will probably show that there is more genetic variation between individuals than between races ;-)
    • mturmon 16y ago
      I wasn't drawing the conclusion that we should not explore the question. But I do think people should wonder: With all the useful, actionable questions arising from genetic research, why are we attracted by an unseen force to the particular question of intelligence and race? Why not try to address a question more likely to help people (e.g., the genetic origin of certain diseases)? Why the fascination with this question? I'm not talking about forbidding certain investigations, just trying to be smart about prioritizing investigations. You say "...it will probably show that..." -- already injecting preconceived notions of the outcome into the scientific question. This is an example of why investigations into this question seem to reveal more about the investigator than the question.