The ongoing debate on whether nature or nurture is responsible for intelligence seems to be a never-ending discussion. There probably won't be a definitive answer to this topic anytime soon, but answers like Dr. Bigot's demonstrate how intolerant people can be of other opinions. To say that intelligence is entirely based on genetics, or environment, is downright extreme. The interaction between nature and culture is responsible for intelligence. Professor Bigot argues that intelligence is influenced only by nature, meaning that it is entirely based on genetics and that the environment or surroundings cannot influence it. However, Dr. Bigot's argument has some truth. With the aim of studying the role of genetics in intelligence, researchers turned to twin studies. According to Bouchard and McGue (1981), the closer the biological relationship, the greater the IQ correlation. This idea was the result of a meta-analysis of 111 studies of sibling IQ correlations from intelligence research studies. The Minnesota Twin Study (Bouchard et al. 1990) studies identical twins raised together and identical twins raised separately. Bouchard et al (1990) concluded that 70% of intelligence is associated with genetic inheritance. Therefore, 30% of intelligence can be attributed to other factors. Although the Minnesota Twin Study was one of the most impressive twin studies conducted, there are several criticisms that challenge its validity. One of his major criticisms was the "equal environment assumption", according to which twins raised together cannot be assumed to be exposed to the same environment. The other side of this controversial debate is the idea that intelligence is influenced... ... middle of paper ...... placing an individual in an environment. This means that we are all born with a genetically inherited and evolved mental structure, on which all subsequent learning and knowledge are based. What would be the point of having genes linked to intelligence, but no where to develop them and put them to use? Due to the brain's plasticity, increased practice and effort can lead to increased intelligence levels. The poverty crisis that Honduras is facing is mainly due to ignorance and lack of education. Education is fundamental to the development of the country. As numerous research and study results have shown, both nature and nurture work together. These should not be considered separate, but rather intertwined, as they interact and depend on each other. An interaction of genetic and environmental factors is responsible for influencing and determining intelligence levels.