Jrournal of medical ethics 1996; 22: 190 J Med Ethics: first published as 10.1136/jme.22.3.190 on 1 June 1996. Downloaded from

News and notes Statement: The Bell Curve

This statement was developed by the National Institutes We urge consideration of the following three points: of Health - Department of Energy (NIH-DOE) Joint First, Hermstein and Murray invoke the authority of Working Group on the Ethical, Legal, and Social genetics to argue that "it is beyond significant technical Implications of Human Genome Research (ELSI dispute that cognitive ability is substantially heritable". Working Group). This statement is endorsed by the Research in this field is still evolving, studies cited by National Society of Genetic Counsellors. Hermstein and Murray face significant methodological In 1994, a highly publicised book, Richard Herrnstein difficulties, and the validity of results quoted are and Charles Murray's The Bell Curve, claimed that IQ is disputed. Many geneticists have pointed out the largely genetically determined and that the differences in enormous scientific and methodological problems in IQ between ethnic groups are substantially explained by attempting to separate genetic components from environ- genetic factors. We are especially concerned about the mental contributors, particularly given the intricate impact of The Bell Curve, and books developing similar interplay between genes and the environment that may themes, because we believe that the legitimate successes affect such a complex human trait as . of the Human Genome Project in identifying genes Second, even if there was consensus on the associated with human diseases should not be used to of cognitive ability, lessons from genetics are foster an environment in which mistaken claims for misrepresented. The authors argue that because genetic determination of other human traits gain cognitive ability is substantially heritable, it is not undeserved credibility. possible to change it and that remedial is not Hermstein and Murray suggest that IQ explains worth the effort or cost. This is neither an accurate social problems such as crime, welfare dependence, and message from genetics nor a necessary lesson from single parenting. They state that socio-cultural barriers efforts at remedial education. Heritability estimates are to personal advancement have largely been removed relevant only for the specific environment in which they copyright. and, consequently, social success and high IQ are highly are measured. Change the environment and the correlated. They assert that, to the extent that IQ is heritability of traits can change remarkably. Saying a genetically determined, programmes to eliminate trait has high heritability has never implied that the trait inequalities are thus doomed to failure. Hermstein and is fated to be. Height is both genetically determined and Murray are especially concerned that high birth rates dependent on nutrition. Common conditions in which among the poor and the "dysgenic" behaviour of genetics play a role, such as diabetes or heart disease,

women with high IQs, who are not bearing enough can be corrected with insulin or cholesterol-lowering http://jme.bmj.com/ children, are threatening the population with genetic drugs and diet. The disabilities associated with single- decline. According to them, these trends are "exerting gene conditions, such as phenylketonuria or Wilson downward pressure on the distribution of cognitive disease, can also be prevented or significantly ability in the United States". ameliorated by medical or nutritional therapy. The authors follow this analysis with policy Third, the more scientists learn about human genes recommendations. They propose eliminating welfare, the more complexity is revealed. This complexity has which they believe subsidises birth among poor women, become apparent as more genes correlated with human thus lowering the average intelligence ofthe population. genetic diseases are discovered. We are only beginning on October 2, 2021 by guest. Protected They suggest ending remedial education programmes to explore the intricate relationship between genes and because the results are not worth the cost, given the environment and between individual genes and the rest claimed significant genetic determination of IQ of the human genome. If anything, the lack of differences. They urge the development of programmes predictability from genetic information has become the of social support that would encourage women from the rule rather than the exception. Simplistic claims about higher socio-economic classes to have more children. the inheritance of such a complex trait as cognitive Neither Hermstein nor Murray are geneticists, nor ability are unjustifiable; moreover, as the history of have they carried out studies themselves on the genetic shows, they are dangerous. basis of behaviour. Their lack of training and Genetic arguments cannot and should not be used to experience in genetics does not disqualify them from determine or inform social policy in the areas cited by evaluating genetic research nor from drawing their own Hermstein and Murray. Since the lessons of genetics conclusions. However, as geneticists and ethicists are not deterministic, they do not provide useful associated with the Human Genome Project, we information on deciding whether or not to pursue deplore The Bell Curve's misrepresentation of the state various programmes to enhance the capabilities of of genetic knowledge in this area and the misuse of different members of society. Those decisions are genetics to inform social policy. moral, social, and political ones.