Stupidity should be cured, says DNA discoverer James Watson

New Scientist ^

[mountaineer]

Fifty years to the day from the discovery of the structure of DNA, one of its co-discoverers has caused a storm by suggesting that stupidity is a genetic disease that should be cured.

On 28 February 1953 biologists James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA - the chemical code for all life. The breakthrough revealed how genetic information is passed from one generation to the next and revolutionised biology and medicine.

But in a documentary series to be screened in the UK on Channel 4, Watson says that low intelligence is an inherited disorder and that molecular biologists have a duty to devise gene therapies or screening tests to tackle stupidity.

"If you are really stupid, I would call that a disease," says Watson, now president of the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, New York. "The lower 10 per cent who really have difficulty, even in elementary school, what's the cause of it? A lot of people would like to say, 'Well, poverty, things like that.' It probably isn't. So I'd like to get rid of that, to help the lower 10 per cent."

Watson, no stranger to controversy, also suggests that genes influencing beauty could also be engineered. "People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty. I think it would be great."

But other scientists have questioned both the ethics and plausibility of his suggestions.

[mountaineer]

So maybe there's hope for Patches Kennedy.

[Keith]

and little Tommy Daschole

[JeeperFreeper]

Great post. If this is right, there goes the demoncrap party down the toilet.

[FourtySeven]

Just goes to show, in all seriousness, that no matter how "brilliant" one is, one can still be a jerk.

[netmilsmom]

Intelligence is one thing, common sense is another. You can be the smartest person on Earth without a lick of sense. Many in the DU are this way. We can genetically alter a human being to have a high IQ but they will still be lame when it comes to life issues and decision making.

[HeadOn]

I'd say it's almost HALF, not 10%. After all, look at the split in the elections....

[null and void]

Don't need a cure,
Don't need a cure,
Don't need a cure,
Need a final solution...

- Per Ubu...

[Hodar]

I agree with the bumpersticker:

Stupidity Should be Painful

[latrans]

This problem has already been solved by the inventor of the transistor, Willian Shockley. Pay the stupid to be sterilized. The lower your IQ the higher the pay.
What are we waiting for?

[TXBubba]

Watson, no stranger to controversy, also suggests that genes influencing beauty could also be engineered. "People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty. I think it would be great."

Yeah, but then how would you know they are really pretty?

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Ubu bump! I love that band!

[Keith in Iowa]

If stupidity were cured, Democrats would have no constituents.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Intelligence is one thing, common sense is another. You can be the smartest person on Earth without a lick of sense. Many in the DU are this way. We can genetically alter a human being to have a high IQ but they will still be lame when it comes to life issues and decision making.

Good point. Some liberals are very intelligent, and make compelling arguments. The problem is, their premises are faulty. Faulty premises lead to faulty conclusions, however airtight the logic in the argument. This comes from selective perception. I find that liberals have huge blind spots, much moreso than conservatives, who have their share as well, but not nearly to the same degree.

I once came up with a one-liner that I thought nicely sums up the differences between liberals and conservatives: "Liberals see the world as they wish it to be; conservatives see it as it actually is." A liberal with influence can be a very dangerous thing.

[null and void]

Actually, I prefer the Peter Murphy version of the song...

[Sloth]

Watson says that low intelligence is an inherited disorder

It certainly runs in families.

[mountaineer]

I heard someone the other day describing Phil Donahue as extremely intelligent. I happened to catch his show last night, as Dennis Miller made mincemeat of his brilliance (i.e., when Phil said the ACLU was there to protect our children from schoolteachers who try to tell them about Christianity). You're right.

[Redcloak]

But if we got rid of stupid people, what would we do for entertainment? Think about it. What would this world be like with its George Clooneys, its Sean Penns, its Susan Sarandons? Stupid people fill a vital role in society. The traditional role of the village idiot in the cultural milieu should not be minimized!

[null and void]

Damm you!