Biotechnology is a cutting edge science/technology which impacts the community in many ways. For this and other reasons, it is important we encourage teachers to include biotechnology in the science curriculum. First, however, we need to know what hinders and encourages teachers. We surveyed the views of 88 high school science teachers. The …

This paper reviews the case of Carrie Buck, who was the first person sterilized (in 1927) under a Virginia law allowing sterilization of persons identified as incompetent and likely to genetically transmit physical, psychological, or social deficiencies to their offspring. This law was later upheld by the Supreme Court in Buck v. Bell, which…

This document consists of the first six issues of a newsletter, which discusses current knowledge about and concerns related to genetics and mental retardation. The second issue addresses the problem of genetic discrimination. The third issue considers genetic testing, screening, and counseling. The fourth issue addresses genetic privacy issues.…

This paper argues that several aspects of educational technology, especially educational biotechnology (EBT), are harmful to people and the environment, and will eventually lead to harms that far out-weigh any purported advantages of the technology, and that this is morally unacceptable. (EBT is characterized as the study and application of…

This report describes recent progress in knowledge on alcohol abuse and alcoholism. These topics are covered: (1) alcohol abuse and alcoholism, including drinking patterns, etiology, and alcohol dependence as a disease; (2) epidemiology, including morbidity and deaths; (3) genetics and environment, including twin and adoption studies, animal…

The overall purpose of this research project was to examine the effects of prediction activities on instructional outcomes in a high school genetics unit. The researcher-developed prediction activities were designed to stimulate student interest and critical thinking prior to formal instruction on the concepts. Enhanced levels of classroom…

Describes a project in which fingerprint patterns were identified and analyzed to determine whether any positive relationship existed between pattern type and academic ability. (LS)

Describes laboratory procedures for culturing drosophila and for observing their behavior. Outlines drosophila response to stimuli and explains the courtship sequence. (GS)

Described are the physical and genetic factors in a case of Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome (characterized by dwarfism and other anomalies, with or without retardation) in an 11-year old severely physically and mentally handicapped Irish girl. (CL)

"Science as a Way of Knowing" is a project of the Education Committee of the American Society of Zoologists and ten other organizations. The goal of the project is to offer suggestions for making the teaching of biology at the college and university level more effective. The proceedings of the 1985 symposium on genetics are presented in…

Four topical bibliographies list materials held by the Illinois Birth to Three Clearinghouse which collects information of interest to parents, professionals, and policymakers on health, education, and development in infancy and early childhood. Bibliography number 18, "Materials on Home Care," contains 52 entries for books and journal…

There are two general categories (not necessarily mutually exclusive) of congenital defects: (1) abnormalities that have an hereditary basis, such as single and multiple genes, or chromosomal abberration; and (2) abnormalities that are caused by nonhereditary factors, such as malnutrition, maternal disease, radiation, infections, drugs, or…

Seventy-one college general biology students were taught a unit in Mendelian genetics by the traditional lecture method. Emphasis was placed on meiotic formation of gametes, dominance, segregation, and independent assortment. The Punnett square model was used for all practice problems. While using this model, students were asked to: (1) identify…

The paper first reviews previous studies made of the causes of schizophrenia as seen by mental health professionals in Western countries and in the Third World. The study at hand focuses on infantile autism and how it is viewed by professionals in the United States and Europe. Questionnaires addressed issues, characteristics and etiology,…

The paper reviews mental retardation research activities of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD) and the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS). Research activities are cited to illustrate the scope of NICHHD's efforts in a variety of biomedial areas. Activities are…