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In the new book Peak, prominent psychologist Anders Ericsson makes the case that innate talent — and prodigies — do not exist. With few exceptions, says the Florida-based researcher, anybody can achieve greatness using the proper mix of good coaching and deliberate practice.

But even then, is it truly an even playing field? To find out, the National Post contacted geniuses —and the people who know them — to ask the question, “is innate talent a myth?”

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DR. STEPHEN SCHERER: Professor of molecular genetics at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and a leading researcher in human genetic variation. Has been touted as a top contender for the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

People will tell you my ability is to see things that other people miss; putting two things together that seem obvious to me, but not everyone else. That’s something you can learn to exploit, but it’s hard-wired. You cannot learn that. I have three brothers, they all have their own talents and I was able to find the one that worked for me. The number of experiences you expose yourself to and the amount of information you gather will increase the likelihood of getting a big leap, but in my opinion you still need that innate ability to take it to the highest level. Is there a genetic test for that? No. You can see it run in families, but I think it’s almost a random event.