杏吧原创

CAMPAIGNERS who object to research on the genetics of intelligence have
written to Britain鈥檚 Medical Research Council this week calling on it to refuse
funds for studies on the links between genes and IQ.

Members of the 鈥淐ampaign for Real Intelligence鈥� argue that IQ is only one
element of mental ability, and should not be taken as the sole measure of a
person鈥檚 intelligence. In a letter to the MRC, they warn that the discovery of
any genes connected with IQ could divide society by marginalising people who
lack the 鈥淚Q genes鈥�.

鈥淚Q doesn鈥檛 tell you anything about other aspects [of ability], like being
good at sport or music, or how good a person you are, or how responsible you are
as a citizen,鈥� says Gail Chester, a mature student and one of the group鈥檚
founder members.

The dozen or so members of CRIT want the MRC to throw out a research proposal
submitted by Robert Plomin, professor of behavioural genetics at the Institute
of Psychiatry in London. In their letter, the campaigners say that Plomin wants
to trace genes linked with IQ. He denies this.

Before Plomin moved to London in 1994, he was based at Pennsylvania State
University, where he looked for genetic markers linked with cognitive abilities
in children. Plomin says that his latest proposal has nothing whatever to do
with genes and IQ. 鈥淭he proposal is for the study of language disorders in
children . . . not to find genes for intelligence, so they鈥檙e wrong,鈥� he told
New 杏吧原创. 鈥淚t鈥檚 scaremongering.鈥�

The MRC says it cannot discuss research proposals submitted in confidence.
But the council stands by Plomin. 鈥淲e are happy with Robert Plomin as a
scientist, and his work is scientifically sound,鈥� says a council spokesman.