Does search for ‘intelligence genes’ lead down road to eugenics?

Academic giftedness (I use this in a broad term to cover greater general academic aptitude), it would appear, is largely genetic. This is vitally important research. However, if our knowledge develops further and contributory genes are identified, this line of research could have troubling ethical implications.

Firstly, it could be used for eugenic purposes: seeking to improve the human race by breeding certain positive qualities. Embryos produced during IVF could be screened for genes disposing to giftedness and those more likely to succeed academically selected. While such testing is illegal in the UK, it is legal in the U.S. Given the expense of IVF and education, the state might start to require that more gifted children be produced.

Second, genetic analysis of embryos and fetuses through pre-implantation genetic diagnosis or prenatal screening could be used to identify early in life children more likely to succeed academically. Such gifted children could be “hot-housed” to maximise their potential and achievement, instrumentalising children and constraining their freedom. This kind of hyper-parenting is common, harmful to children and could be exacerbated by genetic testing. The child could become a means to the parental end of success.

Identifying genetic inequality could exacerbate social inequality. The rich select more gifted embryos, who in turn succeed at school, offering a wider range of lucrative and powerful careers. The rich get smarter; the smarter get richer.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: The ethics of ‘gifted’ genes: the road to Gattaca?

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