The genome does not contain enough information to specify the brain down to the last synapse, and the brain is not completely shaped by sensory input either.

Judge against the scientific consensus as of 2002. True: neuroscience and genomics sources accepted then show that the information content of the human genome (about 3 billion base pairs, around 750 MB, roughly 20–30k+ genes) is far too small to specify each of the roughly 10^14 synapses individually, AND that brain development is not wholly determined by sensory input (i.e. there is intrinsic, genetically guided structure). Mostly true: both parts are broadly accepted, with a minor caveat (e.g. the information argument is debated in its details). Mixed: only one of the two parts is supported by consensus. Mostly false: both are contested, or the claim overstates a debated position as known. False: the evidence shows the genome does specify synaptic connectivity in full, or that the brain is wholly shaped by sensory input.

Set before the research began.

1. E1 2001: First Draft of the Human Genome Sequence Released National Human Genome Research Institute (genome.gov) · 29 July 2013

   “The haploid human genome sequence contains 2.85 billion bases.”

2. E2 2001: First Draft of the Human Genome Sequence Released National Human Genome Research Institute (genome.gov) · 29 July 2013

   “The estimated number of genes is about 30,000 (later revised to about 20,000-25,000).”

3. E3 Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome - PubMed PubMed (NCBI/NLM) · 15 February 2001

   “Here we report the results of an international collaboration to produce and make freely available a draft sequence of the human genome.”

4. E4 International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium Publishes Sequence and Analysis of the Human Genome National Human Genome Research Institute (genome.gov) · 12 February 2001

   “scientists now estimate that humans have some 30,000 to 35,000 genes in their genomes.”

5. E5 Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome - Nature Nature (International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium) · 1 February 2001

   “In the human, coding sequences comprise less than 5% of the genome (see below), whereas repeat sequences account for at least 50% and probably much more.”

6. E6 The role of early neural activity in the maturation of turtle retinal function - PMC PubMed Central (Journal of Anatomy, authors Sernagor and Mehta) · October 2001

   “In the developing vertebrate retina, ganglion cells fire spontaneous bursts of action potentials long before the eye becomes exposed to sensory experience at birth.”

7. E7 The role of early neural activity in the maturation of turtle retinal function - PMC PubMed Central (Journal of Anatomy, authors Sernagor and Mehta) · October 2001

   “We also discuss the role of visual experience in establishing RGC visual functions, and how spontaneous activity and visual experience interact to bring developing receptive fields to maturation.”

The 2001 genome reports give the haploid human genome as 2.85 billion bases with about 30,000–35,000 genes, and less than 5% of it coding (E1, E2, E4, E5). That is a few billion bits at most, far short of what it would take to specify each of the roughly 10^14 synapses named in the criteria, although no source given here makes the synapse comparison directly. E6 and E7 describe retinal neurons firing on their own before any sensory experience, and this activity interacting with visual experience as the retina matures. That supports the claim that sensory input does not wholly shape the brain. Both parts are supported, but the evidence is indirect and thin on the information argument, so the verdict is mostly true rather than true.