Medical Intelligence

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Intelligence is one of the greatest strengths of mankind. It allows you the ability to imagine incredulous ideas, formulate leading theories and technologies, and is generally accepted to be one of the most important qualities a person may possess. Thus it makes sense that human beings would pursue medical enhancements to increase their intelligence. This technology is seen in the story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes in which the main character undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence at the cost of his social and behavioral ability and physical health. Although this technology may seem like science fiction, it theoretically could be a realistic option for the future.
The correlation between intelligence and the physical construct of the brain is very complex and not well understood. However, according to an article presented by NBC News, “They have discovered that the brains of people with high IQs tend to be highly integrated, with neural paths connecting distant brain regions, while less intelligent people's brains build simpler, shorter routes” (Wolchover). With this knowledge, scientists have a general understanding that people possessing greater intelligence quotas have brains with greater neural connections. This is also revealed by Dutch researchers examining the connections of the brain as well. “After analyzing the brain as an incredibly dense network of interconnected points, a team of Dutch scientists has found that the most efficiently wired brains tend to belong to the most intelligent people” (Callaway). Using this information, we can assume that by somehow altering the amount or length of neural connections could in fact alter a person’s level of intelligence. “When the brain mechani...

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Callaway, Ewen. "Speeding up Brain Networks Might Boost IQ." NewScientist. 09 June
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Chant, Ian. "Could a Neural Implant Correct Errant Thoughts?: Scientific American."
Scientific American. 09 May 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Dillow, Clay. "A Dose of Embryonic Cells Could Induce Infant-Like 'Plasticity' in Brain,
Allowing It to Rewire Itself Like New." Popular Science. 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 16
Nov. 2013.
Levaux, Ari. "Experimenting With Nootropics to Increase Mental Capacity, Clarity." The
Atlantic. 30 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Linden, David J. The Accidental Mind: How Brain Evolution Has given Us Love, Memory,
Dreams, and God. Cambridge, MA: Belknap, 2008. Print.
Wolchover, Natalie. "What If Humans Could Be Made Twice as Intelligent?" Msnbc.com.14
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