What are the social implications of a genetic basis for the differences in IQ between whites and blacks?

[David]

I'm not suggesting anything so don't accuse me of racism. I'm just presenting a what if scenario. If it could be proved beyond doubt that the differences in IQ between whites and blacks is a result of genetic differences and has very little to do with the environment, what would be the social implications of this.

I would say ending affirmative action is one thing that could and would be done, because affirmative action assumes that blacks and whites have the same intellectual potential, and that blacks are only at a disadvantage because of the environment that they grow up in. Affirmative action assumes that IQ differences and SAT score differences between whites and blacks is largely environmental. If it could be proved that the IQ difference between whites and blacks is largely genetic, then affirmative action is a waste of time and achieves nothing and should be brought to an end.

What other social implications can you think of?

Another question - Why are we so determined to censor this debate on race and IQ. The truth may be harsh, but surely it is better to know the truth than hide from it. Any scientist that speaks on issue of race and IQ is attacked by everyone and censored in the media. This is not healthy because it prevents us knowing the whole truth on the issue. Atleast let them investigate it properly and let them share their findings with the world instead of attacking and being frightened of what they have to say.

[KeyshaJ]

The empirical evidence that race plays no part in IQ is already there.
The funding of further studies into finding an IQ correlation with skin colour would be controversial. People are generally the same and skin colour is just skin colour. It isn't a reflection of the brain within any more than toe length is.

[Meilin]

I think that you may need to look again at history. Especially at affirmative action, and at the nature of liberal governments.

If it could be proved that African Americans had a lower IQ due to genetic factors we would actually see an increase in affirmative action because African Americans and white lobby groups would have hard scientific evidence to prove that African Americans required greater levels of assistance in order to achieve parity with white Americans.

Look at it this way. If somebody has dyslexia does the state decide that it's a waste of time sending them to high school, or does it give schools extra money to help them. Or if a person has a physical disability does the state tell them to stay at home and do nothing all day, or does it bring in laws forcing companies to put in wheelchair access and disabled bathrooms?

If a genetic factor was found, then African Americans could claim that they had special educational and workplace needs, and could demand increased state funding, in exactly the same way that somebody with genetic deafness could, or people who were born with only one hand.

Affirmative action would never end, it would become part of the social security system.

It's actually in the states interest for there to never be a definitive study on race and IQ. If connection were ever proved it would mean that any failing of the African American community could be blamed on there genetics, and if something is genetic then it's an illness and social services has to pick up the pieces.

Equally, if it was genetic, then speaking out against African Americans for slow progress could be determined to be a hate crime. Like criticizing a deaf man for being deaf.

[ed031639]

We need to get a large segment of the social science world to take their head out of the place where the sun doesn't shine & pursue real science rather than the fantasy World they'd like to see. Recently the subject of the existence race has been decided by a vote among Social Scientists rather than on objective data. I can only be happy the subject of gravity hasn't been decided by the vote of Social Sciences also.
If Africans are proven to be intellectually disadvantaged in some fields, compared to non Africans, we can take steps to modify educational techniques to enhance their abilities. Educators have long known that some people respond better to one teaching method than another, but have no way of determining what way is best for a child.
If indeed we find genetic reasons for one race being better in certain fields that others, then we must take steps to identify the genes in question. Simply having an aptitude for some field does not guarantee success in the field... perseverance and hard work can overcome many disadvantages. Therefore we would still have to consider environment as part of the learning & success curve.

[Johnny Relentless]

It has already been demonstrated that there is no relationship between IQ and race, so any attempts to continue this are just thinly veiled attempts at race baiting. It is not censorship, it is an attempt at honesty. Just like when religious people claim evolution is a lie or the right claims that climate change is a lie. They pretend that they are just questioning the evidence, but when the science is in and it all points to one thing, they are just trying to deceive the public and 'questioning' it is just euphemism for lying to the public. Scientists aren't there to support anyone's political or racist agenda.

[Ford Prefect]

Pol Pot put to death anyone with an IQ larger than his. where are you going with this?