High IQ In Breastfed Babies is Genetic

In the most recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it has been reported that breastfed children have increased IQ's if they carry a particular gene, FADS2, which is involved in the genetic control of fatty acid pathways.

Past research has shown that breastfed children attain higher IQ scores than children who were fed formula, mainly because of very specific fatty acids only available in breast milk. From the newest information, we see that the association between breastfeeding and IQ is altered by a variant in FADS2. The investigators add "that genes may work via the environment to shape the IQ, helping to close the nature versus nurture debate."