Lawrence Summers, if you read or watch the talk, did not, in fact, assert that the dearth of women in science was explained by biological factors. He brought up the question. Even considering the insufficiently delicate way he put it, there's an exceptionally important distinction. Unfortunately, people heard what they wanted to hear.

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Not convinced? By the same theory, one would think that men in today's society would be highly encouraged to have children with multiple partners -- at roughly age 18. Yet, we discourage both for no apparent genetic benefit. Rather, it's for a societal benefit.

As I note below, often societal benefit trumps genetic benefit, which remains true as long as there is a high genetic correlation between the people in that society.