Should we undertake genetic research on intelligence?

Bioethics

Volumn 13, Issue 3-4, 1999, Pages 327-342

  Newson, Ainsley ^a   Williamson, Robert ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

CONFERENCE PAPER; ETHICS; GENE TECHNOLOGY; GENETIC ANALYSIS; HUMAN; INTELLIGENCE; LEARNING DISORDER; MEDICAL RESEARCH; MENTAL DEFICIENCY; MOLECULAR GENETICS;

EID: 0032840635     PISSN: 02699702     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/1467-8519.00161     Document Type: Conference Paper

References (45)

1. The validity of intelligence tests is often questioned. For examples of criticisms, see: Maddox, J., 'Genetics and hereditable IQ', Nature, 309 (1984), p. 579, and Gould, S.J., The mismeasure of man, (New York, Norton, 1996).
2. The validity of intelligence tests is often questioned. For examples of criticisms, see: Maddox, J., 'Genetics and hereditable IQ', Nature, 309 (1984), p. 579, and Gould, S.J., The mismeasure of man, (New York, Norton, 1996).
3. See for example, Gardner, H., Frames of mind: the theory of multiple intelligences, 2nd edn (London, Fontana, 1993).
4. Gottfredson, L.S., 'Mainstream Science on Intelligence: An Editorial with 52 Signatories, History and Bibliography', Intelligence, 24 (1997), pp. 13-23. For a general review see Sternberg, R.J., 'The Concept of Intelligence and Its Role in Lifelong Learning and Success', Am Psych, 52 (1997), pp. 1030-1037.
5. Gottfredson, L.S., 'Mainstream Science on Intelligence: An Editorial with 52 Signatories, History and Bibliography', Intelligence, 24 (1997), pp. 13-23. For a general review see Sternberg, R.J., 'The Concept of Intelligence and Its Role in Lifelong Learning and Success', Am Psych, 52 (1997), pp. 1030-1037.
6. Plomin, R., 'Identifying genes for cognitive abilities and disabilities', in Intelligence, heredity and environment, ed R.J. Sternberg and E. Grigorenko (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1997), pp. 89-104, p. 95.
7. For criticism, see Bailey, R.C., 'Hereditarian scientific fallacies', Genetica, 99 (1997), pp. 125-33.
8. Chipeur, H.M., M.J. Rovine, and R. Plomin, 'LISREL modelling: Genetic and environmental influences on IQ revisited', Intelligence, 14 (1990), pp. 11-29.
9. Plomin, R., et al, 'DNA markers associated with high versus low IQ: the IQ Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Project', Behav Genet, 24 (1994), pp. 107-18.
10. Chorney, M.J., et al, 'A Quantitative Trait Locus associated with Cognitive Ability in Children', Psychological Science, 9 (1998), pp. 159-166.
11. Bailey, J.M., and W. Revelle, 'Increased heritability for lower IQ levels?', Behav Genet 21 (1991), pp. 397-404; and Detterman, D.K., L.A. Thompson, and R. Plomin, 'Differences in heritability across groups differing in ability', Behav Genet, 20 (1990), pp. 369-384.
12. Bailey, J.M., and W. Revelle, 'Increased heritability for lower IQ levels?', Behav Genet 21 (1991), pp. 397-404; and Detterman, D.K., L.A. Thompson, and R. Plomin, 'Differences in heritability across groups differing in ability', Behav Genet, 20 (1990), pp. 369-384.
13. Daniels, J., P. McGuffin, and M. Owen, 'Molecular genetic research on IQ: can it be done? Should it be done?', J Biosoc Sci, 28 (1996), pp. 491-507, and Vines, G. 'The search for the clever stuff', The Guardian, (1996 Feb 1), pp. 2-3.
14. Daniels, J., P. McGuffin, and M. Owen, 'Molecular genetic research on IQ: can it be done? Should it be done?', J Biosoc Sci, 28 (1996), pp. 491-507, and Vines, G. 'The search for the clever stuff', The Guardian, (1996 Feb 1), pp. 2-3.
15. Dr John Kihlstrom, a prominent American psychologist, has already suggested the development of a genetic test in light of the recent research findings. See Ewing, T., 'Brilliant Genes are Showing', The Age (Melbourne) (1998, May 21), p. 21.
16. See Sutherland, A., and M.L. Goldschmid, 'Negative Teacher Expectation and IQ Change in Children with Superior Intellectual Potential', Child Dev, 45 (1974), pp. 852-856; and Steele, C.M., 'A Threat in the Air - How Stereotypes Shape Intellectual Identity and Performance', Am Psychol, 52 (1997), pp. 613-629.
17. See Sutherland, A., and M.L. Goldschmid, 'Negative Teacher Expectation and IQ Change in Children with Superior Intellectual Potential', Child Dev, 45 (1974), pp. 852-856; and Steele, C.M., 'A Threat in the Air - How Stereotypes Shape Intellectual Identity and Performance', Am Psychol, 52 (1997), pp. 613-629.
18. Plomin, R., et al., 'Variability and stability in cognitive abilities are largely genetic later in life', Behav Genet, 24 (1994), pp. 207-15.
19. Chadwick, R.F., 'The Perfect Baby: An Introduction', in Ethics, Reproduction and Genetic Control ed Chadwick, R.F. (London, Routledge, 1992), pp. 93-135 esp pp. 105-107.
20. Differences in IQ scores between ethnic groups have been used as a premise for the domination of one ethnic group by another. See Herrnstein, R.J., and C. Murray, The bell curve: intelligence and class structure in American life, (New York, Free Press, 1994).
21. Goodey, C., 'Genetic Markers for Intelligence', Bulletin of Medical Ethics, 126 (1996, Aug), pp. 13-16.
22. Plomin, R., 'Identifying genes for cognitive abilities and disabilities' p. 100.
23. Plomin, R., and I. Craig, 'Human behavioural genetics of cognitive abilities and disabilities', Bioessays 19 (1997), pp. 1117-24.
24. Eysenck, H.J, 'The Intelligence Controversy: The Ethical Problem', in Ethical Issues in Scientific Research: An Anthology, ed E. Erwin, S. Gendin and L. Kleinman, (New York, Garland, 1994), pp. 371-375.
25. Indeed, this has been offered as a justification of the research, to prevent those with genetic risk (say, for example, for a learning disability) from suffering. See Plomin and Craig, 'Human behavioural genetics of cognitive abilities and disabilities'.
26. For a discussion of questionable motivations of parents behind genetic interventions, see McGee, G., 'Parenting in an Era of Genetics', The Hastings Center Report, 27.2 (1997), pp. 16-22.
27. Reviewed in Engelhardt, H.T. Jr., 'Human Nature Technologically Revisited', Social Philosophy and Policy 8 (1990), pp. 180-191; and Häyry, M., 'Categorical Objections to genetic engineering - a critique', in Ethics and Biotechnology, ed A. Dyson and J. Harris, (London, Routledge, 1994) pp. 202-215.
28. Reviewed in Engelhardt, H.T. Jr., 'Human Nature Technologically Revisited', Social Philosophy and Policy 8 (1990), pp. 180-191; and Häyry, M., 'Categorical Objections to genetic engineering - a critique', in Ethics and Biotechnology, ed A. Dyson and J. Harris, (London, Routledge, 1994) pp. 202-215.
29. See, for example, Chadwick, R.F., 'Playing God', Bioethics News 9.4 (1990), pp. 38-46.
30. This has been discussed by John Harris with respect to disability - see Harris, J., 'Is gene therapy a form of eugenics?', Bioethics, 7 (1993), pp. 178-187, esp p. 179.
31. For a critique, see Jeungst, E., 'Can Enhancement Be Distinguished from Prevention in Genetic Medicine?', J Med Philos, 22 (1997), pp. 125-42.
32. Chadwick, R.F., 'The Perfect Baby: An Introduction', p. 126.
33. See, for example, Brewaeys, A., 'Donor insemination, the impact on family and child development', J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 17 (1996), pp. 1-13, and Golombok, R.S. et al., 'Families created by the new reproductive technologies: quality of parenting and social and emotional development of the children', Child Dev, 66 (1995), pp. 285-98, and Kovaks, G.T. et al, 'A controlled study of the psycho-social development of children conceived following insemination with donor semen', Hum Reprod, 8 (1993), pp. 788-90.
34. See, for example, Brewaeys, A., 'Donor insemination, the impact on family and child development', J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 17 (1996), pp. 1-13, and Golombok, R.S. et al., 'Families created by the new reproductive technologies: quality of parenting and social and emotional development of the children', Child Dev, 66 (1995), pp. 285-98, and Kovaks, G.T. et al, 'A controlled study of the psycho-social development of children conceived following insemination with donor semen', Hum Reprod, 8 (1993), pp. 788-90.
35. See, for example, Brewaeys, A., 'Donor insemination, the impact on family and child development', J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 17 (1996), pp. 1-13, and Golombok, R.S. et al., 'Families created by the new reproductive technologies: quality of parenting and social and emotional development of the children', Child Dev, 66 (1995), pp. 285-98, and Kovaks, G.T. et al, 'A controlled study of the psycho-social development of children conceived following insemination with donor semen', Hum Reprod, 8 (1993), pp. 788-90.
36. See, for example, McGee, G., 'Parenting in an Era of Genetics'.
37. See, for example, Kavka, G.S., 'Upside Risks - social consequences of beneficial biotechnology', in Are genes us?: the social consequences of the new genetics., ed. C.F. Cranor, (New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 1994), pp. 155-179, and Holm, S., 'Genetic engineering and the north-south divide', Ethics and Biotechnology, ed Dyson, A. and Harris, J., (London, Routledge, 1994), pp. 47-63.
38. See, for example, Kavka, G.S., 'Upside Risks - social consequences of beneficial biotechnology', in Are genes us?: the social consequences of the new genetics., ed. C.F. Cranor, (New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 1994), pp. 155-179, and Holm, S., 'Genetic engineering and the north-south divide', Ethics and Biotechnology, ed Dyson, A. and Harris, J., (London, Routledge, 1994), pp. 47-63.
39. Which we assume is a moral requirement of society.
40. Harris, J., Wonderwoman and Superman - the ethics of human biotechnology, (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1992), pp140-142.
41. Goodey, C., 'Genetic Markers for Intelligence'.
42. See, for example, Konstantareas, M.M. and S. Homatidis., 'Self-image and people with learning disabilities', Br J Nurs, 6 (1997), pp. 99-102.
43. Kavka, G.S., 'Upside Risks - social consequences of beneficial biotechnology'.
44. Parens, E., 'The goodness of fragility: on the prospect of genetic technologies aimed at the enhancement of human capabilities', Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 5 (1995), pp. 141-153.
45. Savulescu, J. Personal Communication, October 28, 1998.