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SUV gene discovered
03 December 2005
[indent]Scientists have discovered the SUV gene. That's right: they have found the genetic reason that causes some people to buy SUVs and others to buy Smart Cars:
Obviously, pre-natal testing for this gene could help marketing agencies identify men who are most likely to make pointless, stupid, irrelevant or even harmful lifestyle choices based on their susceptibility to advertising hype. It may also help researchers discover why some men prefer to listen to country & western music, wear baseball caps backwards and drink mixto tequilas.
According to this report, a team led by Dr. Randy Jirtle, a researcher at Duke University has identified a gene that affects IQ. Dr. Jirtle says that, while females also can carry the gene variation, it does not appear to affect their IQ. (Story also here)
So we can only assume women drive Stupid Ugly Vehicles because their mates bought them. Or perhaps it's a breeding strategy like that practiced by certain aggressive species of spiders: they're driving vehicles they know will attract a certain type of low-IQ, high-income male.
A few years ago, scientists were able to identify the gene responsible for people who liked opera, bought small fuel-efficient cars, didn't smoke and like to read books. Dr. Robert Plomin's research was released in 1998. Later researchers were unable to duplicate his results until Dr. Jirtle turned his attention to nearby genes and found a similar correlation between IQ and SUV purchases genetically encoded in human DNA.
SUV purchase may also be related to food intake. IQ is certainly related to what food we eat. In 2003, researcher Volkmar Weiss posted preliminary results of findings about how an individual's glutathione status is related to general cognitive ability and hence IQ. Glutathione is found naturally in foods such as un-denatured whey protein. It's also in in N-acetylcysteine - commonly called NAC, a form of the amino acid cysteine. NAC is also one of the anti-oxidants identified in anti-aging therapies. It's found in several of the 14 so-called "super foods" deemed beneficial for health, longevity and intelligence:
Other authorities agree that food is associated with brain power. From Psychology Today: "Recent research appears to confirm our mothers' wisdom that diet influences brain functioning." And from the New Scientist: "what you eat can affect how you think."
Trans fats, we've been told by several studies, can negatively affect brain power.
A vegetarian stir-fry with tofu and a glass of red wine makes me think about the condition of national medical care, ponder the environmental effects of greenhouse gases and agonize over the deplorable funding for public broadcasting. So how does a burger, fried and a cola make you think?
Some foods may make you stupid. Fast foods, processed foods, the crap that is excessively dosed with sugar, salt of MSG may actually make you less intelligent. Think about that next time you order a burger and fries.
Frankly, no matter what they eat, the low-IQ SUV driver won't get any more brainpower than a Smart Car driver. But they may be able to eat their way up to the IQ of the average Republican.[/indent]
Quote
The scientists say that males who inherit a particular version of the gene have, on average, an IQ that is 20 points lower than males who don't.
Obviously, pre-natal testing for this gene could help marketing agencies identify men who are most likely to make pointless, stupid, irrelevant or even harmful lifestyle choices based on their susceptibility to advertising hype. It may also help researchers discover why some men prefer to listen to country & western music, wear baseball caps backwards and drink mixto tequilas.
According to this report, a team led by Dr. Randy Jirtle, a researcher at Duke University has identified a gene that affects IQ. Dr. Jirtle says that, while females also can carry the gene variation, it does not appear to affect their IQ. (Story also here)
So we can only assume women drive Stupid Ugly Vehicles because their mates bought them. Or perhaps it's a breeding strategy like that practiced by certain aggressive species of spiders: they're driving vehicles they know will attract a certain type of low-IQ, high-income male.
A few years ago, scientists were able to identify the gene responsible for people who liked opera, bought small fuel-efficient cars, didn't smoke and like to read books. Dr. Robert Plomin's research was released in 1998. Later researchers were unable to duplicate his results until Dr. Jirtle turned his attention to nearby genes and found a similar correlation between IQ and SUV purchases genetically encoded in human DNA.
SUV purchase may also be related to food intake. IQ is certainly related to what food we eat. In 2003, researcher Volkmar Weiss posted preliminary results of findings about how an individual's glutathione status is related to general cognitive ability and hence IQ. Glutathione is found naturally in foods such as un-denatured whey protein. It's also in in N-acetylcysteine - commonly called NAC, a form of the amino acid cysteine. NAC is also one of the anti-oxidants identified in anti-aging therapies. It's found in several of the 14 so-called "super foods" deemed beneficial for health, longevity and intelligence:
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Oats
- Oranges
- Pumpkin
- Salmon
- Soy
- Spinach
- Tea -- green or black
- Tomatoes
- Turkey
- Walnuts
- Yogurt
- Steak
- Beer
- French fries
- Doughnuts
- Burgers
- Cheesies
- Pork chops
- White bread
- Ham
- Baloney
- Pizza
- Jumbo soda pop
- Beer nuts
- Bacon
- More beer
Other authorities agree that food is associated with brain power. From Psychology Today: "Recent research appears to confirm our mothers' wisdom that diet influences brain functioning." And from the New Scientist: "what you eat can affect how you think."
Trans fats, we've been told by several studies, can negatively affect brain power.
A vegetarian stir-fry with tofu and a glass of red wine makes me think about the condition of national medical care, ponder the environmental effects of greenhouse gases and agonize over the deplorable funding for public broadcasting. So how does a burger, fried and a cola make you think?
Some foods may make you stupid. Fast foods, processed foods, the crap that is excessively dosed with sugar, salt of MSG may actually make you less intelligent. Think about that next time you order a burger and fries.
Frankly, no matter what they eat, the low-IQ SUV driver won't get any more brainpower than a Smart Car driver. But they may be able to eat their way up to the IQ of the average Republican.[/indent]
