Can Gene Editing Give a Person a 400 IQ?

It is an idiocy to speak of someone with an IQ of 400. Check on the standard IQ distribution or the Gaussian curve. If something is beyond your understanding, you should not question it.

Understanding the Limitations of Gene Editing for Intelligence

If the human brain is already mature, you would have to genetically engineer every single neuron in the body. This is currently impossible due to technological and biological constraints. Moreover, even if we knew which genes to modify, the technology to do so across all neurons in an adult brain does not exist.

One could argue that if we can edit genes before conception, theoretically, we could engineer a zygote such that all neurons that arise in the embryo will have those modified genes. However, the feasibility of this approach is highly debatable, and it raises numerous ethical questions.

Furthermore, it is statistically improbable to have an IQ of 400, given the distribution of IQ scores. If we use a 16-point standard distribution, an IQ of 202 would be expected in only one person out of 190 billion humans. With a 15-point standard distribution, the probability is even lower, around one in 10.8 billion. Thus, the very concept of someone having an IQ of 400 is mathematically impossible under current understanding.

Theoretical and Practical Considerations of Genetically Engineering Intelligence

However, if we assume that you are talking about an IQ much higher than the natural maximum, the answer could be "maybe." We have only mapped around 100 to 1,000 out of the potentially thousands of genes that influence intelligence. Our current knowledge is limited, and we may need more time to fully understand the genetic factors involved.

Assuming we can identify and modify these genes, the next question becomes whether the human brain can support intelligence of that magnitude. There are numerous physiological constraints, such as energy utilization, the length of axons, and heat dissipation. Additionally, there are various disorders commonly associated with high IQs, including autism and genetic diseases prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews.

Therefore, while it is theoretically possible to give every future child the IQ of the smartest person who has ever lived, the practical implications and ethical considerations would be significant. Furthermore, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) may make such a pursuit futile. In the future, a biological brain is unlikely to outperform the computational capabilities of a computer.

Measuring Intelligence and the Reliability of IQ Tests

If we talk specifically about the measurement of IQ, it is important to note the limitations and reliability of IQ tests. The AFQT score from 1962, for example, could put the individual in an IQ range of 130 to 140. However, the precision of IQ tests is not absolute.

Most IQ tests have good reliability, with reliability statistics in the high 0.9s, but the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) is still about 7 points. This means that if a person has an IQ of 130, their true IQ could fall between 123 and 137 with 68% confidence, or between 116 and 144 with 95% confidence. All measurement has some error, and it is advisable to factor in confidence intervals when interpreting IQ test results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the possibility of using gene editing to enhance human intelligence is intriguing, it is fraught with technical, ethical, and biological challenges. The current understanding of genetics related to intelligence is still in its infancy, and the physiological limitations of the human brain remain significant barriers. Additionally, the intrinsic uncertainty in measuring intelligence itself adds another layer of complexity to the discussion.

The developments in gene editing and AI offer a glimpse into a future where human intelligence could be significantly enhanced, but whether such enhancements will be possible or desirable is a subject still up for debate.