Thanks for the link Ray. A few years ago an intelligence researcher at a university in Oz wanted me to invest in genes and intelligence testing, with a view to making loads of money. I thought there must be scads of genes and it would be all too hard. He thought no, it is probably only about half a dozen major genes involved, [or polymorphisms or whatever the jargon is].
Unfortunately, my ability to do philanthropic investing went downhill after the Globalstar bust, so I had to bail out. he thought we could get some patents and make it happen, at least for several of the key genes.
It's nice to see Machester University on the case. I think it'll be one of the biggest money-making things ever and a huge benefit to people. Imagine having brains. That would be so cool. No more slogging over books to pass exams. Learn and think with ease. Smart brains don't work hard and fast, they barely flicker and hey presto, the problem is solved [according to brain scans of people doing thinking to solve problems]. Dumb brains light up all over the place, burn a lot of energy, thrash around and get the wrong answer.
Smart brains have obviously been a vast evolutionary advantage, as proven by the fact that chimps are notoriously dim-witted and humans have a much bigger lump over their eyebrows.
<researchers at the University of Manchester have already uncovered two genes associated with general cognitive ability, while work elsewhere over the past eight years has identified a further 10 other 'intelligence genes'.
"The study of intelligence is shrouded by historical, biological, ethical and descriptive complexities that have made a mockery of its intended definition 'to reason and understand'," said Dr Payton.
"Although our understanding of the biological basis of intelligence is still at an early stage, a general consensus about the role genes play in determining the level of intelligence has now been reached."
"All of us possess the same genes but there are variations within the genes themselves, known as 'polymorphisms', which are largely responsible for what makes us all unique.">
An aspect of intelligence that won't be brought out of the research is the ability to imagine. Schools judge ability to learn and remember [mostly], which is just Google skill and Google is still not smart enough to reason or understand. Reasoning is useful, but doesn't deliver the real goods, though can lead to them. Understanding is the ability to conceptualize, but maybe only once something is explained. What is going to be the secret sauce is the ability to imagine, bringing together the learning, remembering, reasoning and understanding.
Imagination [not of the dopey random kind, unattached to reality] is the key. Blokes like Einstein can imagine whole new ways of thinking.
<"Scientists are interested in intelligence genes because high intelligence protects against the onset of dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. >
Rubbish. The interest in intelligence isn't because of dementia, it's because brains are excellent to have and having great genes will be of great advantage to young people. Anyway, intelligence doesn't protect against dementia, except that perhaps smart people figure out how to look after themselves so have a better diet and thereby avoid dementia. Or maybe they have so much brainpower that they can lose quite a bit and still function very well for normal day to day activities, so seem okay to others.
Re gene warfare, they have already developed neutron bombs for clearing humans out of cities, without structural damage to the city, so they might as well do the same thing via DNA.
If one could eliminate genes like Yiwu the Mad and Bubba the Bigot, without harming others, that would be excellent. They are planning mass murder, so it's better to get them before they start their evil deeds.
Imagine if a criminal gene could be identified, and all those with that gene have committed crimes, or will do so, that would be so cool to be able to clear the gene from the gene pool.
Mqurice |
