Articles Related to
Genetics and Human Society
Fall, 2003
| Link | Genes' Sway Over IQ May Vary With Class |
| Source | Washington Post, September 2, 2003 |
| Summary | A recent
study of the interaction among genes, environment and IQ finds that the
influence of genes on intelligence is dependent on class. Genes do
explain the vast majority of IQ differences among children in wealthier
families, the new work shows. But environmental factors, not
genetic deficits, explain IQ differences among poor minorities. |
| Action | For Your Information (FYI) |
| Link | You Are What Your Mother Eats |
| Source | ScienCentralNews, September 23, 2003 (Electronic versions of press abstracts) |
| Summary | Mice
with virtually identical genes can grow into quite different-looking animals depending on what their mothers ate during pregnancy. Discussion of how factors outside the genome (epigenetic factors) may influence an individual. |
| Action | For Your Information (FYI) |
| Link | Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis |
| Source | Journal of Medical Ethics (2003) 29:213-216 |
| Summary | It is possible to genetically screen embryos prior to implantation. This articles discusses some of the ethical issues involved with gathering genetic information that may eventually lead to altering the genetic constitution of embryos (i.e., genetic engineering of children). |
| Action | For Class Discussion on Thursday, September 18th |
| Link | Engineering American society: the lesson of eugenics |
| Source | Nature Reviews (2000) 11:153-158 |
| Summary | At the beginning of the 20th century human genetics was expected by many to allow society to improve the human race. The field of selective human breeding, eugenics, was used by both well-intentioned people as well as bigots to further their social agendas. |
| Action | For Class Discussion on Tuesday, December 2nd |
| Link | A Historical View of Social Responsibility in Genetics |
| Source | Bioscience (1993) 43:327-333 |
| Summary | Discusses the history of the eugenics movement in the USA, the attitudes of biological determinists, and some of the potential problems that may arise from the information obtained by the Human Genome Project. |
| Action | For Class Discussion on Thursday, December 4th |