SCIENCE-FICTION is one step closer to becoming reality as scientists believe they can engineer our genetics to create a race of super-smart humans.
Scientists discovered which brain genes determine whether people will grow up to be smart or not
Scientists have discovered which brain genes determine whether people will grow up to be smart or not in groundbreaking research.
Experts at Imperial College London stumbled upon two networks of genes which determine how intelligent people become.
On top of this discovery, scientists also believe these genes could actually be changed to boost brain power and create super-intelligent humans.
Neurologist Michael Johnson at Imperial College London said: "We know that genetics plays a major role in intelligence but until now haven't known which genes are relevant.
When the genes are mutated or in the wrong order, it can lead to dull thought patterns
“What’s exciting about this is that the genes we have found are likely to share a common regulation, which means that potentially we can manipulate a whole set of genes whose activity is linked to human intelligence.
“Our research suggests that it might be possible to work with these genes to modify intelligence, but that is only a theoretical possibility at the moment – we have just taken a first step along that road.”
Scientists believe they can engineer our genetics to create a race of super-smart humans
Two clusters, named M1 and M3, are networks including hundreds of genes and are thought to control human memory, attention, processing speed, and reasoning.
The scientists who led the groundbreaking research claim these genes could be changed at birth under so-called 'master switches'.
Humans could manipulate these switches to control their genetic intelligence and boost cognitive capabilities.
However when the genes are mutated or in the wrong order, it can lead to dull thought patterns or even serious cognitive impairments.
Experts at Imperial College London stumbled upon two networks of genes which determine intelligence
Researchers have long believed that intelligence is inherited with studies suggesting up to 75 per cent of IQ is genetic.
One study earlier this year found up to 65 per cent of the difference in pupil’s GCSE grades was down to inherited genetics.
Another neuroscientist involved in the study Professor Robert Plomin believes children should be genetically screened at the age of four so that an individualised curriculum could be tailored to their needs.
He said: “This study shows how we can use large genomic datasets to uncover new pathways for human brain function in both health and disease.
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