Education by Genetics

Paul M. Chagula

This article determines whether genes can play a major role in

individual's education curriculum. The literature on behavioral
genetics and Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was reviewed. References
were identified from electronic databases and key categories were
identified as concepts or themes for analysis. A biological basis for
genes in question has proven difficult to define. Genetics
contributions to the education system can be a major factor in the future. However,
further research in genes and behavior needs to be done to set out the
foundation for this approach.

This article will attempt to address the issue whether genes can be used to determine
individual's present and future education programme. Presently, majority of genetic tests
have shown that certain genetic diseases such as Alzheimer, Huntington, Cystic fibrosis
and Down Syndrome can be diagnosed early on; thus allowing to confirm whether an
individual has inherited predisposition to a certain disease or disorder. The same approach
to genetic diseases could be used in genetic analyses of traits of intelligence, cognitive
abilities and psychopathology.

Human genome or the complete set of genes that a human being has is a building block in
which we can start to examine the entire gene propagation. In determining if a person
genetic trait can contribute in his or her ability to perform such daily simple or complex
intellectual tasks, we need to identify these genes that are specifically associated with
intelligence as well as get an historical background of a family generation by generation, if
available. Genetic determinism- that is, the false beliefs that a person's fate is determined
simply by his or her genes is not the approach in which this article will focus on but it will
try to address the issue holistically with a view to enabling public, educational institutions,
educators, physicians, parents and their children to understand gene-based education
system with its legal, ethical and social issues. This approach
contrasts with traditional methods of teaching and learning.

THE ROLE OF GENOMICS

Genomics have provided some significant insight on genetics. Genomics is the study of
functions and interactions of all the genes in the genome; it includes also genes
interactions with environmental factors. It is expected that researchers will find most of
human genes within 10 years or so, thus, mapping out most of the genes that relates to
intelligence will also be identified. Current developments have significant impact to
genomic medicine and gene therapy and therefore will revolutionize the healthcare
system. Protein structure and gene sequence information will permit more reasonable
approach to patient care in the new era of medicine. Gene-based medicines will become
the next generation in treating as well as curing genetics and other diseases.
GENE-BASED EDUCATION

The approach to gene-based education is very complex at the moment. Researchers

on human genome, The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, have
announced in April, 2003 about the completion of human genome project. However,
some genes and their functions are still remaining a mystery and/or at a draft sequence or
sequence that is not yet finished--thus, it becomes difficult in this article to show you
exactly that aspect of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) marker. However, the
recommendations made in this article will shed light on how it could be done and what
other factors are involved in this approach. We are not talking about stem cell research
here, just genetic proclivities, so what do we have to lose!

Gene is the primary unit of information storage. The information is then stored in the
DNA. Each individual has inherited his or her genetic profile from one's parents;
approximately 99 percents of genetic traits are transmitted successfully to the offspring,
and about 6 percents is believed to occur in mutation, that is, accidental errors in
duplication of DNA. Genes determine many functions of all cells in our bodies: types of
proteins and enzymes, types and quantity of hormones, genetic clock, etc. Each person
inherits two copies of each gene, one from the mother and the father. Maternal allele and
paternal allele both inherited from the transmitting parents have their significance to a gene
or allele of an individual. Allele is a one of the alternative version of the gene at a given
locus or location along a chromosome. Chromosome is a physical structure consisting of
DNA and supporting proteins called chromatin. Also, there is dominant and recessive
autosome that are in any of the 22 pairs of chromosomes in man not concerned with
determination of sex. The application of molecular genetics in identifying multiple genes is
also extremely important to this approach.

Why This Approach to Education

I strongly believe that each person has unique ability that he or she can perform very well.
For example, some people are excellent in solving mathematical problems while others are
not. Some people are very good in working with computers whereas others are excellent
in performing physical tasks, etc. Given the above example, it is easy to see individual
variations in each person. However, all these individuals’ different abilities can be linked
to genes and environment or temperament. Learning and identifying these genes as well
as environmental factors will allow better understanding, as a result, pinpointing genetics
mutation and other disorders will be an enormous help to the management and curtailing
of gene-based education system.

Many children have been screened for fatal diseases well over three decades. Screening
test range from Down Syndrome to sickle-cell disorders. People have not objected to
these tests because the reasons are obvious. Then, why not extend the DNA test to help
us in this new approach to the contemporary educational research.
It will also be a great help to people with learning disability once that factor is identified
through DNA-based diagnosis. It is obvious that individuals vary in thinking, performing,
calculating as well as ability to understand and solve problems. Consequently, gene-based
approach to education will offer an excellent alternative once the mystery of genes are
discovered and understood.
The traditional education system is so widespread that it becomes a dilemma to a student
with inability to do certain tasks because of biological disease or abnormality, therefore, a
student loses interest in learning or become frustrated. The idea of gene-based education
system is to facilitate an education system that is curtailed to an individual's ability to
study, learn and perform tasks accordingly to an individual's DNA makeup. Gene-based
education can be delivered through many means of communications. Gene-based
education system will stimulate students in learning because it will not make them feel
awkward or stupid. As a result, it will produce learned students as well as motivate them
to explore other areas than that of their genetic makeup for challenge or individual's
curiosity.

Let us look for example people with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, the gene that
is identified to be the one which is localized for person with dyslexia is DYX 3. The gene
(DYX3) is responsible for dyslexia which is located on chromosome 2. Now, the fact that
the gene can be identified from a DNA sample, it will be so easy to detect the dyslexia
gene if DNA test is done at very early age before a child start kindergarten. In this case, it
will help a child to focus as well as correcting the predisposition disorder given that the
genetic diagnosis was accurate. Also, there other disorders such as deafness which is
located on chromosome 1 and 13. Deafness, autosomal dominant located on
chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 13, 14, 17, 22 and autosomal recessive located on
chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 21, this what so far can be accurately diagnosed.
Another example is children who are born deaf, most newborn have their hearing tested
within six months but sometimes can still go on undiagnosed at 1-2 years. These
undiagnosed children can miss out the early part of learning which is vital to their
lives. Therefore, DNA-based test to screen for deafness plus with other special hearing
screening tests for new babies can contribute a lot in their lives.

In addition, genes of psychiatric diseases should also be tested, from schizophrenia (the
gene SCZD) spectrum disorders to other psychotic disorders. There are psychiatric
disorders which are classified as distinct but similar disorders; caution should be taken in
defining these disorders. Many of these psychiatric diseases are classified in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of American Psychiatric Association (DSM), just to
name a few of psychoses which are distinct but similar disorders such as schizotypal,
schizoaffective and schizophreniform and delusional disorders, as well as personality
disorders such as schizotypal personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder and
schizoid personality disorder. Moreover, neuroimaging tests apart from DNA-based tests,
may also help in psychiatric diagnosis.

At this stage, we can start to see what genes hold in future of education as this new era of
human genome continuing unfolding. We can go on and on about naming the genes
locations of other disorders but that is beyond this article. By extending DNA-based tests
beyond state mandatory requirement, it will help to discover and assure those overlooked
genetic markers.

STUDENTS GENOME BANK

In order to facilitate the gene-based approach, genetic information must be stored in a

much secured database can be called Students Genome Bank. Students Genome bank will
be responsible for collecting all individuals' genetic information and subsequently input the
information to the database. Once individual's genetic information has been entered into
the database, it will be there available for genetic identification processing. The genome
bank will be the center of all information processing from an individual DNA data
collection to genetic identification. Students Genome bank will study the role of genes
and environmental influences from diverse group of people. It will undertake a study from
normal gene variants and other DNA differences that makes each person unique from
another person and label each gene to facilitate the matching process and identification.

Once all genes are identified, the genome bank will issue an identification card to an
individual which he or she will use to login in the computer to access the course
curriculum which will be outlined specifically for that individual. The Id. cards will have
coded genetic data of each person to be utilized for gene-based education system. Most
of these genomic data banks can be government or private operated.

SCHOOL COURSES DATABASE

Different curriculum will be stored in the School Courses Databases. School courses
databases will be responsible for studying appropriate courses using genes syntheses. By
using issued identification card, the computer will outline the course of the study. It will
not be difficult to have an education package because genetically the human genomes have
shown that 99.9 percent we are alike. With some help from neurotechnologies and
advanced technology, a software package to fit these individuals' variation can be
produced.

ETHICAL, LEGAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Genetic medicine brings major concern about privacy. To what extent should a person
information be used? Would it be used only to the intended purpose or will it be shared
to the society as whole? These and many issues in the future will arise about DNA
safeguards; we don't want our personal information to be misused in anyway. Most
governments still have to find ways to secure our DNA information. We have to deal with
this issue now not later because of its importance. There are not many laws that cover
wide range of DNA public health protection. The ethical issue of neuroscience or
neuroethics will be the main concern in people's mind for many years.

The ethical issue here is that genetic screening can help to deliver better education.
However, right to privacy is one major issue in the medical records keeping. Unintended
consequences of DNA information will be that many companies will want to have upper
hand on an individual's medical records such as insurance companies. Presently, for
example, in order for an insurance company to determine your application for insurance
coverage, it may double-check your information that you have provided on your
application with Medical Information Bureau (MIB). MIB database is where most
insurance companies get information about you. This and/or other similar organizations
should be restricted in providing DNA information to their members.

State and federal privacy laws which are now in existence do not assure enough
protection. In addition, further protection needs to be in place as to who has the right to
review and access your medical records. In addition, lawmakers needs to get on the way
of formulating guidelines and laws that will protect us from misuse of our DNA
information at hands of people who handle them. Genetic era will continue to unfold, and
policymakers delaying DNA protection laws will be unfair and under serving the people
they are presenting.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Blood tests should be done at age 3-4 to determine any of the essential disorders and
predispositions. At least, at this age many of the disorders and predispositions have fully
manifested themselves. A DNA test done on a newborn does reveal genetic diseases but
it can be fickle in determining other genetic factors at this stage. Therefore, it will be
wise to do the test later on for the newborn.

Genetics studies on multiracial and interracial individuals including their environmental

factors should be done to pinpoint any variation or reversion. Extensive research on genes
and brain functions of each group at every age on children, teenagers and adults is also
necessary to formulate required syllabus and understanding in each age.

Symposiums, conferences and seminars must be conducted under the same roof including
educators, physicians, genetists, policy-makers, public and technologists in order to gather
relevant information to be used in this attempt.

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