Reconstructing Intelligence Genetic Therapy or Genetic Tinkering? Kashmir K. Singh HRS 305, Dr. I. Cherney Intelligence: Multiple Perspectives

Outline DNA, Chromosomes, & Genes: A Brief Introduction Genetics: A Crash Course Designing Smarter Babies Issues with Gene Therapy The Value of Intelligence Acknowledgements References

DNA: The Genetic Blueprint DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid –composed of four bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, & thymine (A, G, C, & T) –transcribed into RNA uracil instead of thymine RNA - ribonucleic acid –codes for amino acids in triplets (codons) amino acid chains are the primary structure of proteins Proteins - peptide chains –functional molecules, such as enzymes

Chromosomes

Genes Single Gene vs. Multiple Genes –as of now, no specific sequence(s) has/have been pinpointed for directly promoting intelligence –location on one or multiple chromosomes –expression of multiple genes is complicated

Genetics: A Crash Course Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes –half of each pair comes from each parent –thus, there are two copies of each gene –expression of these genes is variable Similarly, each parent passes on only half of his or her genetic material –What genetic information is contained in the gametes?

Genetics: A Crash Course Gamete Formation –each sex cell contains one complete set of genes –genetic combinations are variable from one gamete to another due to Independent Assortment Crossing Over Mutations Transcription/Translation Errors Two Gametes  One Human –one gamete from each parents results in two copies of each gene, usually with different information –Which one is expressed?

Genetics: A Crash Course Expression of Genes –specifically random expression of one copy over another, partial expression of both copies, etc. –in general dependent upon many factors –Environmental –Nutritional –Genetic –Developmental –variable over time –no formula for prediction

Designing Smarter Babies How do we apply this information to intelligence? –the ‘discovery’ of intelligence genes –develop an understanding of the physiological processes behind expression –the basics of gene therapy removal of old sequences of genes insertion of new sequences of genes insertion of promoters or inhibitors

Issues with Gene Therapy Effectiveness –embryo vs. infant vs. child vs. adult –justifiable errors Gene Pool Alteration –pass altered genes to future generations –possibility of dangerous mutations ethics of science & medicine –artificial selection

The Value of Intelligence Motivation for Alteration - Desire for an Intelligent Child –intelligent individuals lead ‘better’ lives, have successful careers, and are perceived as being ‘superior’ –with the seeming availability of the technology to do so, why not? Artificial Inflation leads to Artificial Selection –example the current ratio of intelligent individuals to non-intelligent individuals is 1:50 intelligence enhancement is implemented, and now the ratio is 1:40 the value that we assign to intelligence is diminished because its scarcity or novelty is reduced the result - the definition of intelligence is changed - defeating the reason for the therapy in the first place

Acknowledgements Dr. Harry Nickla, Department of Biology Dr. Julie Soukup, Department of Chemistry

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