New advances in molecular biology have established a biotechnology industry and have changed ways people think about living things. In support of this theme, a discussion on historical development and current practice of gene cloning is presented. The role of nucleic acids, viruses, and therapeutic intervention is also considered. (DH)

Examines major lines of thought leading to what is meant by plant biotechnology, namely, the application of existing techniques of plant organ, tissue, and cell culture, plant molecular biology, and genetic engineering to the improvement of plants and of plant productivity for the benefit of man. (JN)

Describes (in separate articles) 20 developments in science, technology, and medicine that were made during the twentieth century and had significant impact on society. They include discoveries related to intelligence tests, plastics, aviation, antibiotics, genetics, evolution, birth control, computers, transistors, DNA, lasers, statistics,…

Discusses institutional biosafety committees (IBC) which provide quasi-independent reviews of recombinant DNA work done at an institution. Considers the nature of IBC operation, the National Institutes of Health "Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research," the composition of IBCs, the intellectual content of IBC deliberations, and issues…

Examines issues and trends related to biotechnology patents, providing data that show that foreign concerns have gained a large share of United States patents. Also lists the number of patents assigned to companies, foreign countries, and universities during 1983 and 1984. (JN)

Describes five computer programs: four simulations of genetic and physical mapping experiments and one interactive learning program on the genetic coding mechanism. The programs were originally written in BASIC for the VAX-11/750 V.3. mainframe computer and have been translated into Applesoft BASIC for Apple IIe microcomputers. (JN)

Summarizes the current state of genetics, highlighting major historical events in the development of the field and discussing topics related to introns ("silent" or noncoding base sequences in eucaryotic genes) and exons (the coding parts of DNA). (JN)

Discusses highlights in the development of genetic engineering, examining techniques with recombinant DNA, legal and ethical issues, GenBank (a national database of nucleic acid sequences), and other topics. (JN)

Presents four essays disagreeing with Farrell's efforts to refute Arthur R. Jensen's genetic explanation of Blacks' lower scores on IQ tests. Presents Farrell's response to these essays. (HTH)

Discusses chemical alterations of selected amino acids resulting from environmental effects (photooxidations, pH extremes, thermally induced effects). Also dicusses use of intentional chemical derivatizations of various functional groups in amino acid residue side chains and how recombinant DNA techniques might be useful in structure/function…

The physical and moral aspects of genetic counselling are discussed. Four case studies are presented. (CP)

Presents pro and con comments with regards to 1975 APA presidential address under the heading of genetic basis of behavior--especially of altruism. Other comments are subsumed under the heading of biological versus social evolution, and the value of tradition. (Author/AM)

Explained is a method for estimating an individual's chances of belonging to the mosaic (mongol) group as compared with the general population. (IM)

Confrontations have arisen between local communities and universities involved in molecular biology research. The situation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is described in which citizens have opposed work undertaken at Harvard and MIT. (LBH)