Genetic Synthesis Essay

In western society, an individual’s intelligence is seen as an important and valuable asset in many situations. Since such a high value has been put on an individual’s cognitive ability, it has been speculated whether or not this can be expanded, and, if so, to what extent. In summary, intelligence is a complex trait that is unique to each individual. This can vary among a population despite the similar environments that many people are in, such as a shared classroom or school. There are factors that cannot be controlled, such as genetics and heredity, that also play an important part in determining the intelligence of an individual. It is important to note that an individual’s intelligence is measured by a standardized test, the Intelligence

However, it makes sense that there is much unknown about the human genome and its specific functions because there are “about fifteen million genes that separate individuals out of about thirty billion total genes that compromise a human being” (Kong 1). Despite the large amount of work that still needs to be done to determine exact functions, scientists have determined about five percent of the difference causing genes (Kong 1). Small changes in genetic sequencing can cause major changes in the development and function of humans and their cognitive ability. Since there are about fifteen million gene differences between two people, it can be concluded that the development of each individual brain, and its function, is unique and distinct. This implies that some people are more genetically predisposed to have a higher intelligence than others, despite the environment factors that they are exposed to. Elliot Tucker-Drob, in his research on “Genetic and Environmental Influences on Cognition Across Development and Context”, states that “In modern industrialized populations, cognition is approximately 50% to 70% heritable” (Tucker-Drob 1). Based on this conclusion, only 50% to 30% of intellectual factors are determined on an individual’s environment. This information would imply that environmental factors are equal, or less than equal, in comparison to genetic