Describes a classroom exercise that uses a letter from Max Delbruck to George Beadle to stimulate interest in the mechanics of a nonoverlapping comma-free code. Enables students to participate in the rich history of molecular biology and illustrates to them that scientists and science can be fun. (JRH)

Four samples (3,172 pairs of twins reared together, 90 pairs of twins reared apart, 87 adoptive families, 114 biological families) completed the Strong Vocational Interest Battery/Strong Interest Inventory. Results suggest that variance in vocational interests can be attributed to 12% additive genetic and 24% nonadditive genetic effects, 9% to…

Describes the historical development of the use of microbes to solve environmental problems such as oil spill clean-up and animal waste disposal. (MDH)

Cranial capacities are calculated from external head measurements reported for 40 samples (tens of thousands of subjects) from a 1990 review of ergonomically important body measurements compiled by the International Labour Office. The correlation between brain size and intelligence for groups and individuals is discussed. (SLD)

A case study is presented of a boy with partial tetrasomy 15, severe mental retardation, and autism, from age 6 to 9. The case is analyzed in relation to other cases with an extra marker chromosome 15 and the mechanisms that underlie the association between autism and marker chromosome 15. (JDD)

The 1994 publication of "The Bell Curve" by R. Herrnstein and C. Murray is compared to other examples of eugenic principles, including the sterilization of "feebleminded" Carrie Buck, family degeneracy studies focusing on lower class Caucasian families, and other works that view the poorest and least educated members of society…

The genetic and environmental causes of the phenotypic association between reading and verbal short-term memory (VSTM) were analyzed using data from the Colorado Reading Project for 446 twin pairs. Results of bivariate behavioral genetic analyses indicate that both reading ability and VSTM are highly heritable. (SLD)

This paper comments on the incidence of adopted children exhibiting emotional disturbances and their resulting overrepresentation in special education programs. It is felt that the independence demanded of the adolescent and the lack of genetic expectancy trigger the awakening of psychological insecurities in the adopted child. (JDD)

This issue's special section on canalization of behavioral development is introduced. In the special section, an invited paper by Gilbert Gottlieb, adopts a systems approach that stresses the complex interaction of genes, behavior, and environment. Several comments on the Gottlieb paper are also included. (BC)

A real world sample of actual data that students can use to see the application of the Hardy-Weinberg law to a real population is provided. The directions for using a six-step algorithmic procedure to determine Hardy-Weinberg percentages on the data given are described. (KR)

The body of data indicating sex differences in the brains of almost every mammalian family examined so far (rodents, birds, monkeys, and human beings) is reviewed. The differences in the hypothalamus, thalamus, corpus callosum, anterior commissure, and the hippocampus are described. (KR)

The activity level of 60 pairs of infant twins was measured for 2 days. Differences in activity level for monozygotic and dizygotic twins, as indicated by motion recorders and parent ratings, showed evidence of genetic influences. (BC)

Rebuts the Burgess and Molenaar commentary in this issue on the authors' paper concerning sociobiology and human development, maintaining that genes (nature) cannot usefully be construed as independent of the coactional developmental system of which they are a part. (BB)

Presents an interview with Walbot who has done genetic research using corn plants. (PR)