The digest presents an overview on Down Syndrome. The history of the term is traced to its association with Dr. John Langdon Down who first described the condition in 1866. Characteristics of Down Syndrome are noted, including mental retardation, short stature, epicanthic folds, reduced muscle tone, joint hyperflexibility, and premature aging.…

Nine undergraduate science and non-science majors (novices) who had recently completed their first college classroom study of genetics and seven genetics graduate students and biology instructors (experts) were videotaped as they attempted to solve a selected group of seven moderately complex classifical genetics problems and three Piagetian tasks…

It is a common article of belief that each child is unique. Action based on this belief, though, is rare. Researchers have largely neglected the question of the causes of children's individual uniqueness. But, when difficulties and serious problems arise in the course of child rearing, causality is located in the dynamics of family functioning.…

The directory lists mutual support groups concerned with the medical and psychosocial impacts of genetic disorders and birth defects on affected individuals and families. Each organization included is dedicated to the ongoing emotional, practical, and financial needs of these populations. Entries are categorized by disorder, including: general,…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether relationships occur among spatial skills, logical reasoning, and various genetic concepts. Twenty-one students enrolled in an undergraduate genetics course in a northern New Jersey institution completed a series of tests and tasks designed to measure flexibility of closure, visualization,…

Describes an experiment, easily repeated in the classroom, designed to determine whether members of the species Drosophila melanogaster show selective preference in choice of mates. (PEB)

It is the particular concern of the present paper to examine some important features of the cognitive deficit model, and in particular, to look closely at the assumptions on which compensatory education is based. (Author)

Reviews the furor and reaction to Arthur Jensen's controversial genetic theory of intellectual differences. The cases of Shockley, Eysenck, and Herrnstein are also discussed as instances in which intellectual debate was supplanted by academic persecution and impassioned rhetoric. (EH)

Intelligence tests were administered to a stratified sample of 4058 school children from Palermo, Sicily. I.Q. scores were found to be positively correlated with socioeconomic status and negatively related to family size. As birth order increased, mental development decreased. Implications for future research were discussed. (EH)

Authors argued that from an educational perspective sex-linked genetic differences are largely irrelevant, that sex-linked cultural differences are real, but unstable and situational, and finally that bicultural blendings are beneficial and increasingly prevalent. (Editor/RK)

Examines limitations of the heritability concept and heritability analysis, and discusses a conventional application of heritability analysis, IQ scores as measurements of a phenotypic character, the heritability of IQ, and the relationship of IQ and race. (JR)

Four problems of the regulation of technological development are reviewed: Djerassi's study of the regulation of chemical birth control agents; the downfall of the American supersonic airliner; climate modification; and genetic engineering. The author examines technology and the nature of bureaucratic institutions with respect to the political…

Presents a list of articles published from January to December, 1974, on genetics, cells, nutrition, respiration, excretion, general physiology, conservation, ecology, reproduction, locomotion, disease, growth, response, behavior, and classification. (GS)

Six papers from a 1978 conference on birth defects focus on prevention. G. Stickle ("The Health of America's Babies: How Do We Stack Up?'" reviews risk in pregnancy, cites inadequate prenatal care and maternal nutrition, and discusses examples of how the United States is not applying its knowledge of how to improve pregnancy outcome. In "Genetic…