In a new study published in the journal Trends in Genetics,
it is possible for humans to be losing intelligence at a slow rate. The loss of
intelligence can be seen from the start, thousands of years ago when humans began
living in dense agricultural communities. The first couple generations of
humans lived by their spatial abilities; things like making shelter or fighting
off a wild animal with a spear. As soon as humans began to go towards agricultural
communities these spatial abilities became less of a necessity. It has been determined through rate of mutations;
the average person has two intelligence-stunting genetic changes occurring over
the last 3,000 years. The average IQ has
amplified intensely over the last 100 years.
“Most of that jump probably from prenatal care, better nutrition and
reduced exposure to brain-stunting chemicals such as lead”(Ghose). Humans are
not becoming less intelligent due to the mutations of the intelligent
gene. As evolution occurred the genes
for hunter and gatherer began to disappear. This disappearance allowed humans
to evolve into a diverse population.
Ghose. Tia. “Are
Humans Becoming Less Intelligent?” Yahoo Science News. 12 Nov.
2012. Web. 25 Nov 2012
The Article:
http://news.yahoo.com/humans-becoming-less-intelligent-173400651.html
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