patrick.net

Patrick says

Genes for modern human intelligence came from neanderthals

Very interesting. Thanks for posting. More research needs to be done on this.

also interesting: autism may have come from neanderthals along with genes for higher intelligence.

people with autism generally have larger brains, as did the neanderthals:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11417608?dopt=Abstract

Patrick says

Genes for modern human intelligence came from neanderthals

By the way.....Some people on Patnet are missing this gene.

Patrick says

#politicallyincorrect

I don't see how the idea that Neanderthal DNA contributes to the intellegence of modern man is politically incorrect. I don't know whether or not it's factually correct; the latest articles I've read still have it unknown whether or not we carry Neanderthal DNA at all. However, assuming interbreeding did occur, why take any offense that Neanderthal DNA has benefited us intellectually?

Neanderthals did have bigger brains. The only evidence that the second wave out of Africa was more intellectually advanced is that Neanderthals didn't start using symbols like jewelry until meeting cro magnon man.

I always thought it was reasonable to believe that we may be descendant from Neanderthals because human beings always do three things when meeting other groups: kill them, exploit them, and mate with them. So I would be surprised if the two subspecies didn't get it on like dogs in a park.

Dan8267 says

I don't see how the idea that Neanderthal DNA contributes to the intellegence of modern man is politically incorrect.

read a bit about the geographic distribution of neanderthal genes...

btw, here is a guy who is obsessed with the idea that asperger's disease comes from neanderthals. kinda crazy sounding, but maybe not wrong:

http://www.rdos.net/eng/asperger.htm

Matted IHL armpits and bushes, and ass hair pelts, also came from the genetics of Neanderthals.

rando says

geographic distribution of neanderthal genes

Sure, Europeans and Asians would have more neanderthal genes than Africans if interbreeding between cro mags and neanderthals occurred, but one does not judge the intelligence of an individual based on his ethnic background when one can easily judge the intelligence of the individual directly.

Whatever the facts are, they are the facts, not judgements. Even if there is a genetic factor making some people from some ethnic backgrounds more likely to be intelligent, the facts should be acknowledged for doing so allows gene therapy to improve the intelligence of all persons. After all, an individual from an ethnic background full of geniuses can still get all the crappy genes that predispose him to stupidity.

I am all for identifying genes that promote intelligence and genetically engineering smarter babies. Yes, there are ethical and practical concerns, but in principle it is something we should do at least until we abandon genetic code and organic bodies altogether. Imagine how much more intelligent you could make yourself if your mind were implemented as a virtual neural network and you could add a few trillion neurons and quadrillions of neural connections effectively increasing your brain by a factor of ten. Replacing organic bodies with machines and electronics has far more potential than breeding or genetic engineering. We should go full cyber.