Biotechnology, the study and application of engineering and science to improve the quality of life, can be an integral part of technology education. Numerous project ideas exist to expose students to the career possibilities of this field. (SK)

Presents a historical overview of the development of concept of linkage (collocation of genes on homologous chromosomes), and provides a perspective of the development of two opposing explanatory models of genetic linkage. Author asserts that a historical view can help students recognize that explanatory models are constructs developed over time,…

Analysis of pedigrees from parents of 69 preschool children who stuttered revealed that more male than female relatives ever stuttered but that female subjects who stuttered had more female relatives who ever stuttered than did male subjects. Segregation analyses suggest that transmission of a single major genetic locus increases the liability to…

This very brief comment on Herzog and Money (1993) concerning Klinefelter syndrome claims that the use of an antiandrogen with an individual whose endocrine status is already compromised by low levels of testosterone is inappropriate. (DB)

Discusses trends that have converged to transform our understanding of genetic and environmental influences on personality traits. Presents five main determinants of personality. (ZWH)

The use of statistical techniques by behavioral geneticists to divvy up separate genetic and environmental effects on individual traits is examined. The interactions between genes and environment and the effects that are produced between siblings are discussed. (KR)

Responses to a bereavement questionnaire completed by married couples (n=74) who had lost a child through death were analyzed. When parents' perceptions of the cause of their child's death were examined, it was found that, for females, but not males, the attribution of the death to genetic factors in the spouse was negatively correlated with…

The evolutionary paths by which the characteristic properties of sex chromosomes may have evolved are reviewed. The evolution of the X and Y chromosomes from a cosexual ancestor is discussed. (CW)

The link between science and society is examined by studying the application of evolution theories and genetics to human affairs. Described are the ways in which biological theories have been applied to social issues. (KR)

Explores the interplay between nature and nurture using antisocial behavior as the example, and discusses key genetic concepts and key environmental concepts. The final section considers the nature-nurture interaction in relation to passive, evocative, and active gene-environment correlations and calls for research into the effects of the…

Accurate and sensitive communication of cancer-risk information is important. Based on a literature review of 75 research reports, expert opinion papers, and clinical protocols, a synthesis of what is known about the communication of cancer-risk information is presented. Relevance of information to those not tested is discussed. (Author/EMK)

Analyzes composition reading performance data from identical and fraternal twin pairs in order to test the hypothesis that genetic influences are more important as a cause of reading disability in girls than in boys. Provides little or no evidence for the hypothesis of greater genetic influence on reading difficulties in girls than in boys. (SC)

The 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome is a genetic disorder in children with many concomitant medical and developmental problems. Communication disorders are among the most common features of this syndrome and include articulation, language, resonance, and voice problems. Awareness of these features and a multidisciplinary approach are necessary for…

Data from a previous adoption study using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised show that the genetic effect is reflected by psychometric "g" (general intelligence) to a greater degree than is the environmental effect. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that "g" largely reflects the genetic component…

Comparison of the production of repetitive speech during conversations in 30 people with either fragile X syndrome, autistic disorder, or mental retardation not caused by fragile X found repetitive speech more prevalent among those with fragile X. Results support the hypothesis that such speech dysfluency reflects the effects of physiological…