AP21847

Science Summary:

Scientists from UCL, the University of Oxford and King’s College London (University College London) say that around half the genes that influence how well a kid can read also plays a role in their abilities to learn math. Reading and mathematics abilities run in families. This research really highlights the nature-nurture debate (Wood, 229). In their research they tested twins and unrelated children for reading comprehension and fluency, as well as mathematics questions based on the UK national curriculum (University College London). When they combined the information they got from these tests with their DNA data, they found many overlaps in the genetic variants the influence our abilities in reading and mathematics (University College London). Dr. Oliver Davis made this statement, “We looked at this question in two ways, by co paring the similarity of thousands of twins, and by measuring millions of tiny differences in their DNA. Both analyses show that similar collections of subtle DNA differences are important for reading and math. However, it’s also clear just how important our life experience is in making us better at one or the other. It’s this complex interplay of nature and nurture as we grow up that shapes who we are"(University College London). So are we destined to be good or bad at math and reading based on our DNA or can we learn to be better? It could be a combination of both that really makes a difference in the end. It makes me think of Barrett’s law number 9, “Beware the plausible, especially if it works.”

References: Wood, Samuel E., Ellen R. Green. Wood, and Denise Roberts. Boyd. //Mastering the World of Psychology//. Third ed. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2008. Print.

University College London. "Same genes drive mathematics and reading ability." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 8 July 2014. .

Only graders edit below this line!

Grader #1: 1406046575 Grader #2: 1406059337] Grader #3: 1406127910] Grader #4: 1406167184] Grader #5: 1406384183] =Grading Form= media type="custom" key="25032734"