The whole map of human genomes was revealed towards 21c, and it has been suggested that ‘.. 99% of human genetic codes are the same. So there are no cultural differences in genes. Intriguingly, the revelation of the role of genes could lay bare the influence of environmental factors with greater clarity than ever. Dr. Paul Kelly, director of Gemini Genomic in Cambridge, UK said that the sequencing ‘will make environment more important, not less important’. (BBC News online 13 Feb.2001).
‘Our genes are subtler than we ever guessed. It’s not how many genes you’ve got,it is what you do with them that counts. That’s one of the key revelations about the human genome announced this week’, (New Scientist. 17 Feb,2001, No.2278. p6)
The author was delighted to read these reports because they tallied so well with her own observation and assertions. Just as all children have their own unique DNA, so they also have their own unique intelligence. The author is greatly encouraged by the genetic scientists.
The author’s observation on cross-cultural case studies for over two decades at Oxford lend credit to the idea that intellectual ability if as diverse as the population of the world. Intelligence should therefore be seen as a diverse ability, not as a hierarchical order. Whatever we do, wherever we live, whatever our age, we are equally unique. For all those who believe in equality, these scientific findings are a means of confirming and refreshing that belief.
We are faced with the choice of taking either a positive or negative attitude to scientific progression. By adopting a positive attitude, we have more opportunities to keep on developing ourselves in line with scientific discovery.
Miriam Chung, Ph.D
Author of;
Nurturing Ordinary Talents for Excellence (2005)
Logical Thinking in Young Children (1994)
