STANFORD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA 94305 © (415) 321-1200

 

 

STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Department of Genetics

May 10, 1971

Letters

Manchester Guardian Weekly
164 Deansgate

Manchester M60 2RR England

Sir, - In a report headlined "Racialism and the IQ gap"

(May 1) Adam Raphael quotes a number of my remarks agxiixkkex
WexR concerning Dr. Arthur Jensen's studies on the genetics of
intelligence. In the context of the recent controversy in the
National Academy of Sciences, it might appear that I deplore
research on this subject. In my view it would be important for
both scientific and human values to learn all that we could about
the specific genetic factors that govern intellectual development.
I am however quite skeptical about the possibility of unravelling
genetic from environmental factors, with presently available
methods, and especially in efforts to sort out the differences
among racial groups. I would nevertheless support every objec-
tive effort to further our knowledge.

What I do deplore are the inflammatory prejudgments about
inconclusive and incomplete research that have clouded recent dis-
cussions. Besides the harm they do by arousing group resentments,
they can only impede further analysis of and solutions to these

pressing problems.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

LT. J. P. KENNEDY, JR. LABORATORIES FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE, DEDICATED TO RESEARCH IN MENTAL RETARDATION
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY HEREDITY NEUROBIOLOGY DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE