A TV talk show host is interviewing the author of a controversial book. The auth

Question

A TV talk show host is interviewing the author of a controversial book. The author claims that socioeconomic differences across racial groups in the United States should be attributed to differences in intelligence, citing the H2 value for IQ as evidence (Table 19-4). They go on to claim that because intelligence is largely genetically determined, educational and social interventions that benefit people in lower socioeconomic groups will be of no benefit to such individuals or to society as a whole. In addition to being morally reprehensible to many people, these claims misinterpret the concept of heritability. Explain two ways in which the author’s line of reasoning is scientifically inaccurate.

Explanation / Answer

The author falses claims that intelligence is largely genetically determined becauses it is simply not known how much genes matter for intelligence.The claim that intelligence is largely genetical is based entirely on two kinds of studies.Twins studies and GWA(Genome Wide Association)studies.Unfortunately when it comes to determining genetic heritability.These study designs have basically nopredective value.This is known as missing heritability problem.Studies says that childhood exposure to lead decreases IQ both in childhood and later in life.Study suggests that a Child will lose nearly two points of IQ for every 5 micrograms per deciliter of lead in their blood.Recently in mid 90s half of all Africian Americans children had blood lead levels of 5 micrograms per deciliter and upto .25 percent of African American children had greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter of lead in their blood.That's a non genetic 2 to 4 point drop in IQ. The differential exposure of black and white populations to lead could easily cause a measurable difference in average IQ levels between racial groups that are not based on genetic differences But this is a small decrease compared to the effect that sress and the resulting physical health issues can have on IQ.Black adults are over twice as to get diabetes,hypertension or heart disease when compared with white adults.Black children are three times likely to live in poverty and asthma when compared with white children.It has even been reported that simply experiencing racism can increase the chance of getting asthma by upto 60%.Studies have repeatedly shown that this kind of stress induced by povertyand physical health problems and racism can cause drops of upto thirteen points of IQ.Finally it is very well established that adaption in of itself increases IQ Any kind of adaption that has been associated with an increase of 5 IQ.points.In an extreme cases where child started in very bad circumstances IQ can increase upto 18 points after adoption.It is unsurprising that the difference in average intelligence between whites and backs is some where between 9 and 15 IQ points.This difference is perfectly explained by a 2 to 4 point drop due to lead exposure and a thirteen point drop due to high levels of stress Considered that the adopted black child would very likely have the same IQ as a white child.This is not a issue of genetics but an issue of environmental impoverishment.

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