Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour

Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour. (22)

Discuss (22) – A considered and balanced review, including a range of arguments, factors or hypothesis. Opinions and conclusions presented clearly supported by appropriate evidence.

Main ethical considerations

Confidentiality
Since these studies are about the intelligence and abnormal behaviour, they should be kept confidential.
Information can affect the participant’s future.
If identity is exposed, it can cause labeling effect.

Issues stemming from ethical considerations

Who and why does anyone have the right to know?
Stress due to having the knowledge that they have a gene making them more prone to a certain sickness or cancer.
Which third parties should have access, right to control information? How will the third parties respond? Insurance companies, adoption agencies, educational systems.
Labeling and consequential issues/problems.
Discrimination, in extreme cases can lead to racism and genocide.
Dehumanisation, the removal of certain human rights.
Stereotyping, spotlight anxiety affecting performance.
Predetermined life of the subject.
Determining one’s ability and future based on their genes.
Eugenics – The belief that human characteristics are due to genetics and that society should attempt to scientifically breed a race of superior people.
(NEVER, I STRESS, NEVER USE THIS FOLLOWING EXAMPLE IN YOUR RESPONSE but the film Gattaca is a good portrayal of what Eugenics can lead to in human society.)
The Nature vs. Nurture debate.

What is intelligence?

‘The capacity for understanding’ and ‘the ability to perceive and comprehend meaning’.
Intelligence tests were first devised by Binet in 1905 and results are called Intelligence Quotient (IQ), still used today.
The aim was to identify children who were not achieving as much as other of same age, so they can be helped.
Assumes intelligence is not a fixed quantity but it can change.

Gould – Meta-analysis of the IQ study of Yerkes (1915)
[A]	Give a critical account of Yerkes’ IQ testing and its effect.
[P]	Yerkes was allowed to administer an IQ test to 1.75 million army recruits at the start of World War I. The army recruits were split into two groups: Army Alpha and Army Beta. Army Alpha (for those who can read and write) were tested in writing. Army Beta (for those who cannot read nor write – tested on pictorial test) and if they failed the the Army Beta test they would be asked to do an individual spoken. Average mental age of white American males was 13 years old. This is just above the level of ‘moronity’ European immigrants could be graded by their country origin. The average mental age of men of many nations was a moron. Darker people of southern Europe and the Eastern Slavs were less intelligent than fair people of western and northern Europe. Black people had the lowest mental age at just 10.41 years old.
[F]	Impact on immigration, causing political debates. 1924 Immigration Restriction Act reset immigration quotas, southern and eastern Europeans were effectively barred. Estimated that 6 million people from these areas were denied access to US over the next 20 years.
[C]	Tests claimed to measure native intellectual ability (intelligence unaffected by environment or experience). Beta tests still required culturally related knowledge and alphanumeric knowledge. Requirements for taking the Alpha test were different in different camps. Results should not be generalised to the nation because of the sampling of subjects and other factors affecting the procedure. Shows how belief can triumph over reason. Raises the question of “Who determines the questions on the IQ tests?”
[E]	Provides alternate perspective in viewing IQ tests. Highlights problems in the collection and interpretation of data. Convincingly argues the tests were neither reliable nor valid since many were given the wrong tests. Was not a test for native intellectual ability but cultural knowledge, which could not have been acquired by people who have recently arrived in country. Highlights dangers of ethnocentrism, contribute to scientific racism. Shows importance of considering original research rather than accepting brief summaries as well as importance of being critical, looking or details of research and how it was conducted.