This article describes two workshops that explained the use of prenatal testing and genetic information to inform choices in pregnancy to people with learning difficulties, explored the issues with them, and describe the contribution subsequently made by these people to a British national conference on this subject. (Contains references.)…

A study investigated 136 toddlers from 112 families with or without a history of specific language impairment (SLI). SLI was found to aggregate in families; the average rate in families affected with a family history of SLI was 32%, with significantly more boys reported as having SLI than girls. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Presented is a hand model which can be used to compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis. Features and procedures of the technique are detailed. Limitations of the models are discussed. (CW)

Reports on some potential teaching problems associated with children's scientific ideas about the concept of mutation. Provides information on the sample, methodology of study, and analysis. Concludes that in biology teaching the treatment of the concept must ensure that its genetic sense is specifically delineated. (RT)

Analyzes a "Time" article discussing genetics and bioethics to evoke the need of scientific literacy education. Suggests reform in teacher education programs. (YP)

The porphyrias are a family of genetic disorders whose genetics and biochemistry are largely identified. Background information on these diseases are discussed including porphyrins, gene expression, population genetics, and historical significance. (CW)

Presented is a study in which students' intellectual reasoning development was evaluated following instruction that emphasized formal operations in a traditional lecture format. Results indicated that formal-operational students had significantly more success in the three reasoning areas than transitional students and transitional students had…

Prescriptions for improving student understanding and problem-solving performance related to transmission genetics are discussed. Research on novice/expert problem-solving in transmission genetics is reviewed. (Author/CW)

Presented is a detailed look at some published materials showing the widespread nature of the misuse of genetics terminology. Suggests that similar problems can be found in any genetics text. Concludes with a plan for urgent action and suggestions for improvement. (Author/CW)

Discussed are some of the uncertainties in human genetic mechanisms that are often presented as dogma in Biology textbooks. Presented is a brief historical background and illustrations involving chromosome abnormality in humans and linkage studies in humans. (CW)

An analysis of intelligence quotient (IQ) in relation to head size was performed on about 14,000 children aged 4 and 7 years, almost equally divided by race (white and black) and sex. Correlation between head size (by inference, brain size), and IQ is established as a within-families correlation. (SLD)

Reviews three pioneer programs that attempt to integrate genetic science and ethics in the classroom. Concludes by suggesting that the basic goal of integrating science and ethics is undermined in each program by a lack of correspondence between the articulated pedagogical goals and the unarticulated theoretical framework. (LZ)

Describes the use of infometry, or informational geometry, to meet the challenges of information service businesses. Highlights include theoretical models for cognitive coordination and genetic programming; electronic information packaging; marketing electronic information products, including cost-benefit analyses; and recapitalization, including…

Analysis of characteristics of 53 children with specific language impairment (SLI), ages 4 to 9, suggested that family history is related to pattern of language performance. Children with deficits in only expressive language had a higher proportion of affected family members than did children with both expressive and receptive language deficits.…

The Infant Behavior Record (IBR) assessed the temperament of 95 nonadoptive and 80 adoptive sibling pairs at 1 and 2 years of age. Data from this and an earlier similar study of identical and fraternal twins yielded evidence for genetic influence for IBR factors of extraversion, activity, and task orientation. (BC)