Det smarta barnet

Kulturella perspektiv på den påverkbara hjärnan

Abstract

Our way of understanding children’s intelligence seems to be in transition: developments within ge- netic technology is approaching the science-fiction phenomenon of "designer babies". Embryonic screening and new biomodifying technologies are mak- ing rapid progress and are thus changing the biological limits of what is possible. The purpose of this article is to examine cultural perceptions of the designed brain and how new technology evoke notions of creating the "smart child" with implicit connections to science-fiction. The article is based on two examples, involving the possibility of genetic technology generating embryos that could result in children with higher intelligence. Two themes are discussed: how the new technology "selects" embryos, and how it "modifies" them. This could amplify what Vidal (2009) discuss as a change from "personhood" to "brainhood"; we are our brains, and thus we have a responsibility to develop our brains in the "right" way.