> all the major controversies surrounding genes and intelligence since 1990 have concerned either race differences or dysgenics. In other words: those who’ve li

> all the major controversies surrounding genes and intelligence since 1990 have concerned either race differences or dysgenics. In other words: those who’ve limited themselves purely to discussing individual differences have largely avoided scandal. The last three decades could thus be seen as the era behaviour genetics entered the mainstream. > Steve Pinker’s book The Blank Slate, which expertly debunked the myth that genes don’t matter for intelligence (and other psychological traits), was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize – arguably the second most prestigious prize in writing. What’s more, both twin and genome-wide association studies studies of intelligence were routinely published in leading journals like Nature Genetics. It was in era in which you could mention in polite company that, actually sir, intelligence is a heritable trait. > That era may be coming to an end.