Provides an overview of recent behavior-genetic studies of personality that document (1) the demonstration of genetic bases for stability of certain personality dimensions, (2) evidence suggesting the most influential environmental sources of variation are those not jointly experienced by family members, and (3) continuing controversy regarding…

Comprehensively reviews known examples of genetically influenced learning disabilities and speech and language disorders, including familial dyslexia, stuttering, and other speech and language disorders, as well as sex-chromosome anomalies, treated PKU, and minor auto-somal anomalies. (Author/RH)

Contrasts measurements and conceptualizations of the environment employed by environmentally oriented behavioral scientists with those developed by behavior geneticists. For the environmentalist, the environment is multidimensional, dynamic, and transactional, as well as mediated by the individual. By contrast, the behavior geneticist's…

Emphasizes ectodermal-mesodermal interaction but focuses on the genesis of specialized structures like feathers (ectodermal) and muscles, cartilage, and bone. The sum of these interactions and other factors which govern normal development may be important in regulating the regeneration of particular structures in postembryonic individuals.…

Identified shortly after birth, Down's syndrome babies will represent a substantial number of infants in need of early intervention services. Direct contact with parents of Down's syndrome infants can provide professionals with opportunities to share new genetic findings that may assist parents in adjusting to the birth of their handicapped child.…

Increased frequency and higher magnitude of correlations for siblings and the stability over time of the correlations among the data for siblings underscore the possibility of a genetic basis for the similarity of intellectual functioning among siblings. (Author)

When the findings of sociobiology and ethology are properly interpreted, they are surprisingly compatible with commonsense ethical values, adding to our understanding of moral and ethical principles as an essential element of human social behavior. This paper provides a brief overview of the broader scientific interpretation to illustrate this…

Studies of a biological basis of social behavior have involved biologists in emotional debate. The author outlines the controversy surrounding one sociobiologist, Edward Wilson, and questions the charge that such research should not be conducted because of its potential for abuse. Condensed from "Smithsonian" magazine, September 1980,…

Provides background information about the current state of a new field of science, genetic toxicology. Discusses mutations and cancer, the history of the field, and detection of genetic damage. (CS)

The Genetics Society of America has released a statement saying that the possibility of a "genetic difference in intelligence between races" is still an open question and warning against "the misuse of genetics for political purposes". (Editor)

Reviews history of "recombinant DNA" research, including early experiments and origins of bioethical debates between concerned scientists. Discusses National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines and accompanying Environmental Impact statement regarding recombinant DNA research and possibilities of human error covered by neither…

Explains the allium test in which roots are excised from onion bulblets grown in aqueous solutions of a test agent. Root tips are then isolated and stained with aceto-orcein, and chromosomal aberrations are microscopically observed. (Author/AIM)