The Fall of Human Intellect is Inevitable
The theory of evolution tells us that the organisms with complex structures and functions descended from simple organisms. It goes through a slow but sure course of development to meet and survive environmental changes. But the process doesn’t end there. New research suggests that humans are still in the process of evolving. However, this time, instead of developing a more superb brain power, they will lose their intellectual and emotional abilities– slowly but surely.
The study, which was published in the Cell Press journal Trends in Genetics, suggests that the intricate web of genes that give human beings the ability to think and process emotions are vulnerable to mutations.
Gene mutations and mental decline
According to Dr Gerald Crabtree, the study author from the Stanford University, the development of intellectual abilities in humans has probably occurred in relatively non-verbal, dispersed groups of peoples before our ancestors emerged from Africa. During that time, intelligence was critical for survival, he said. He added that there was most likely immense selective pressure acting on the genes that trigger cognitive development, leading to the peak of human intelligence.
But with the development in agriculture, urbanisation came. This may have weakened the power of selection to weed out mutations that lead to intellectual disabilities, the researchers note. Dr Crabtree predicts that within 3000 years (about 120 generations), human beings may have all sustained two or more mutations that are detrimental to their intellectual and emotional health. He explains that the combination of less selective pressure and the large number of genes that may be affected is destroying people’s intellectual and emotional abilities.
There’s no need to worry
The researchers said there’s no need to worry because even if it is sure to take place, the loss is going to be gradual. And knowing the fast-changing medical and technological advancements, they believe that the solution to this problem will soon be found. "I think we will know each of the millions of human mutations that can compromise our intellectual function and how each of these mutations interact with each other and other processes as well as environmental influences," At that time, Dr Crabtree said scientists will be able to magically correct any mutation that may take place in the cells of organisms.
Do you think intellect is on the decline? What ways can we prevent this from happening?
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