Re: Do genes or our parents and educators have more of an influence on our IQ?

Everyone agrees that the answer is "Both" and the argument is over the 
proportion genes and environment contribute to IQ (quite apart from 
arguments about what IQ measures and if what ever it is is being measured, 
is of any interest).

The arguments about how to conduct and interpret separated identical twin 
studies are arcane. The best way to think about it is that genes certainly 
affect IQ through their control of the structure of our brains and 
education certainly affects IQ through providing the means to develop and 
exploit the potentialities of that structure. At the moment, I don't think 
that there is much more to it.

There is a third factor - and that is the persons physical environment. A 
person exposed to chemicals, malnourishment or other extreme stress will 
have decreased brain function, particularly if these extreme physical stresses
occur during childhood. Decreased brain function will of course result in 
a decreased IQ potential.