The Evolution of Human Intellect

ScienceDaily announced a new study where isolating human genomes has led to the identification of multiple genome regions that control human neurons. By identifying these genomes we could find answers and cures for many diseases such as Alzheimer’s and autism. The study was led by Dr. Schahram Akbarian of the University of Massachusetts and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine who focused on DNA's "font" instead of DNA's lettered code.By studying DNA's "font" Dr. Schahram Akbarian was able to study the epigenome's "chromatin state", which

determines a gene's ability to be turned on or off. By studying the epigenome’s “chromatin state” scientists and medical doctors will be able to control the genes that are linked to many neurological diseases.

Small fragments of chromatin fibers from the frontal cortex of the brain, where cognitive operations are performed, had been isolated by Dr. Akbarian for the purpose of analyzing the chromatin’s regulatory state. The regulatory state consists of chemical signals which control the ability for a gene to turn on or off. The chemical signals in the chromatin are histones and methylations. Dr. Akbarian’s results showed numerous areas in the genome where there was a difference in the neuron’s chromatin structure from adolescents to adults.

Locating and controlling genes are creating multiple possibilities for future generations. Many of those possibilities include cures for a large variety of diseases. This article was interesting because it introduces a connection from genes to the human brain which can improve intellect function and prevent loss of memory. There are many other possibilities from controlling the genes that are connected to the frontal cortex of the brain. The frontal cortex of the brain is responsible for long-term memory, and by controlling a gene's ability to turn off or on could provide a doctor with the ability to control a person’s memory. For example, a traumatic experience could be forgotten by simply shutting off a gene. This discovery is only the start to many magnificent possibilities.