An overview of Prader-Willi syndrome, the most common form of dysmorphic genetic obesity associated with mental retardation, is presented, with an emphasis on associated causes, characteristics, diagnosis and counseling, intervention, and long-term consequences. (Author/DB)

This study found that narratives of 41 parents of 29 autistic children were similar in length to controls' narratives but were less complex and less coherent. A subgroup of the parents produced either skeletal or rambling narratives, consistent with the hypothesis of a genetic liability for mild forms of autism that include impaired language…

A theory of normal and delayed development of language is presented, arguing that linguistic capacity develops in gradual, sequential, critically timed phases; children with slowly developing brains have delays in storing utterances; a critical period for activation of experience-dependent grammatical mechanisms declines without optimal result;…

Presented is a lesson in which students learn about characteristic traits of a species and variations within a species. Background information for teaching and assessing the lesson and topics for possible class discussions are provided. An activity in which students learn about traits and variations of themselves is included. (KR)

Ideas and scientific definitions as reported by 9-12 year olds collected from class discussions, essays, or examination papers over the course of 32 years are presented. Topics include the living body, tracts, metabolism, the senses, the skeleton, the heart, respiratory ailments, genetics, microbiology, and modern medicine. (KR)

Criticizes an article by Browning and Lehman (1988) for (1) using "gene" instead of allele, (2) misusing the word "misconception," and (3) the possible influences of the computer environment on the results of the study. (PR)

Authors respond to criticisms by Smith in the same issue and defend their use of the term "gene" and "misconception." Authors indicate that they did not believe that the use of computers significantly skewed their data concerning student errors. (PR)

The confusion by students on the use of three terms in their writing is discussed. The definitions of catabolite repression, constitutive, and ribosome binding site, given in the glossaries of 10 textbooks, are compared with the use of these terms in students' papers. (KR)

Discusses ramifications of the genetics revolution for child welfare and gives an overview of genetic disorders and genetic services. Presents findings of an exploratory study of the proportion of children in out-of-home care in two cities who were diagnosed as having genetic disorders and who met referral criteria. Discusses implications for…

Subjects measures of word recognition, phonological coding, and orthographic coding obtained from analyses of identical and fraternal twins to multivariate genetic analysis. Finds that genetic influences on individual differences in word recognition were more strongly related to genetic variance in phonological coding than in orthographic coding.…

Explains how the Punnett Square method received its name. Describes the studies of Bateson and Punnett that provided the first clear example of linked genes. (PR)

Presents an updated map of the human chromosomes, building on a "plain English map" that was previously published. A brief summary of genes research is included in the gene explanations accompanying the map. (PR)

This article summarizes work in progress at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine (North Carolina) on the structure and physiological profiles of reading disability and relates the findings to core left-hemisphere language functions. Data add evidence of the structural anomalies associated with dyslexia and evidence of its heritability, especially of…

Describes problems with monoculture tree plantations and explores industry claims about environmentally sound practices. The pulp plantation boom is likely to encourage a dangerous complacency in industrialized societies--an ignorance of the true costs of paper production. (PVD)

Illustrates contribution of genetic and environmental factors to differential ratings of within-family behavior and environmental differences. Maintains that, assuming differential ratings are a linear function of underlying trait differences, it is simple to recover within-family statistics, offering a more legitimate basis than comparing mean…