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WHY ARMENIA IS MORE LIKELY TO ENGINEER SUPER-CHILDREN THAN CHINA
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/03/26/why-armenia-is-more-likely-to-engineer-super-children-than-china/
09:33 26.03.2013
Seems like everybody's talking Chinese genomics and the art of
engineering genius babies these days. But the nation that's more
likely to breed a generation of super-smart, problem-solving kids
isn't the global economic giant currently engaging in a complex,
sinister-sounding genetics program-it's Armenia, a tiny landlocked
nation, pop. 3,000,000, that's still mired in the shadow of a
devastating genocide. And it's going to do it with chess, the
Motherboard writes.
Beijing Genomics Institute is essentially looking for a way for China
to breed more intelligent children. And it's the largest such effort in
the world. More specifically, BGI Shenzen has "collected DNA samples
from 2,000 of the world's smartest people and are sequencing their
entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine
human intelligence."
"But there's probably a better, less terrifying and Gattaca-reminiscent
way to make an entire generation of kids smarter with already extant
technology and no hint of scary eugenics: Make playing chess mandatory
in school," the article reads.
While China may be paving the way for genetically-optimal brainiacs
in giant genomics labs, Armenia is modifying its youth's intelligence
the old fashioned way-with smart policy and good education. As such,
Armenia's actually more likely to boost its youth's IQ than China-using
gaming technology that's been around for over a thousand years.
"Aremenia is the only nation in the world where chess is a compulsory
part of school curriculum, thanks to a $3 million initiative passed in
2011. Beginning two years ago, chess has been a mandatory in the third
and fourth grades-students play chess two hours a week every week for
two years. Part of the program's aim is to improve children's logic
and reasoning skills. But, as with China's more sci-fi approach, part
of the aim is to engineer a generation of smarter, savvier children.
The article posted on motherboard.vice.com continues that "There is
a decent body of scientific evidence that suggests that learning and
playing chess can actually raise a child's IQ-no test tubes required.
University of Sydney professor (and chess grandmaster) Dr. Peter
Dauvergne has long argued that chess has significant educational
benefits, and that a raised IQ is chief among them."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/03/26/why-armenia-is-more-likely-to-engineer-super-children-than-china/
09:33 26.03.2013
Seems like everybody's talking Chinese genomics and the art of
engineering genius babies these days. But the nation that's more
likely to breed a generation of super-smart, problem-solving kids
isn't the global economic giant currently engaging in a complex,
sinister-sounding genetics program-it's Armenia, a tiny landlocked
nation, pop. 3,000,000, that's still mired in the shadow of a
devastating genocide. And it's going to do it with chess, the
Motherboard writes.
Beijing Genomics Institute is essentially looking for a way for China
to breed more intelligent children. And it's the largest such effort in
the world. More specifically, BGI Shenzen has "collected DNA samples
from 2,000 of the world's smartest people and are sequencing their
entire genomes in an attempt to identify the alleles which determine
human intelligence."
"But there's probably a better, less terrifying and Gattaca-reminiscent
way to make an entire generation of kids smarter with already extant
technology and no hint of scary eugenics: Make playing chess mandatory
in school," the article reads.
While China may be paving the way for genetically-optimal brainiacs
in giant genomics labs, Armenia is modifying its youth's intelligence
the old fashioned way-with smart policy and good education. As such,
Armenia's actually more likely to boost its youth's IQ than China-using
gaming technology that's been around for over a thousand years.
"Aremenia is the only nation in the world where chess is a compulsory
part of school curriculum, thanks to a $3 million initiative passed in
2011. Beginning two years ago, chess has been a mandatory in the third
and fourth grades-students play chess two hours a week every week for
two years. Part of the program's aim is to improve children's logic
and reasoning skills. But, as with China's more sci-fi approach, part
of the aim is to engineer a generation of smarter, savvier children.
The article posted on motherboard.vice.com continues that "There is
a decent body of scientific evidence that suggests that learning and
playing chess can actually raise a child's IQ-no test tubes required.
University of Sydney professor (and chess grandmaster) Dr. Peter
Dauvergne has long argued that chess has significant educational
benefits, and that a raised IQ is chief among them."