Abstract
The paper posits that the argument that personality traits have a biological and genetic basis is much older than one might assume. The paper notes that though there isn't much love for the notion that biology plays a determining role in human personality development, the idea can be traced back at least as far as Darwin's era when 19th century naturalists began to propose a genetic basis for intelligence. The paper explains that such an argument is generally held in unfavorable light, and this is primarily the result of the misguided assumption that biology is synonymous with fixity. In other words, many psychologists, scientists, and laymen are disturbed by the possibility that human personality is a function of genes--which are largely immutable--rather than the environment--which can be more easily controlled.

From the Paper
"The argument that personality traits have a biological and genetic basis is much older than one might assume. Though there isn't much love for the notion that biology plays a determining role in human personality development, the idea can be traced back at least as far as Darwin's era when 19th century naturalists began to propose a genetic basis for intelligence. However, such an argument is generally held in unfavorable light. This is primarily the result of the misguided assumption that biology is synonymous with fixity. In other words, many psychologists, scientists, and laymen are disturbed by the possibility that human..."

Tags:biology, evolution, personality

Abstract
The paper relates that one of the most contentious controversies in the contemporary scientific debate over gender and sexuality is the degree to which Western cultural and political assumptions have contributed to the scientific representation of the biological "truth" of sexuality and gender. The paper argues that, given that modern science has long been dominated by European and North American institutions, so too has its modelling of sexuality and gender been shaped by Euro-American assumptions regarding such things as heterosexuality, homosexuality, and how sexuality and gender are biologically determined phenomena.

From the Paper
"One of the most contentious controversies in the contemporary scientific debate over gender and sexuality is the degree to which Western cultural and political assumptions have contributed to the scientific representation of the biological "truth" of sexuality and gender. While the popular view of the scientific method and research is that its underlying impetus is the objective research and discovery of the nature of humanity and the world in which we live, a number of scholars and..."

Tags:biology, science, gender

Abstract
To determine whether schizophrenia is, in actuality, a biological disorder, this paper provides an overview of the condition, followed by a review of the relevant literature to identify its etiology and best practice treatments. A summary of the research and relevant findings are presented in the conclusion.

From the Paper
"Andreasen (1997) says the term "schizophrenia" ('fragmented mind') was coined by Eugen Bleuler, who wanted to emphasize that it was a cognitive disorder in which the "fabric of thought and emotion" was torn or fragmented, and normal connections or associations were no longer present (p. 77). This author reports that an extensive body of knowledge has developed as a result of experiments on the brains of nonhuman subjects and examples of work that use a wide range of cognitive neuroscience techniques to the study of schizophrenia all indicate that increasingly sophisticated strategies and conceptualizations are emerging as powerful new technologies are being applied (p. 80). In other words, new computer-assisted diagnostic processes are allowing for new regions of the brain to be explored in new and more insightful ways."

Tags:cognitive, disorder

Abstract
This paper explores some of the aspects of the nature versus nurture controversy. The paper studies the complex interplay between genotype and phenotype variables via findings in various disciplines to determine if the genotype (nature aspect) is more influential than the phenotype (the nurture aspect) in determining human behavior.

Background
Literature Review
Methodology

From the Paper
"On the theory that no behavior is more emblematic of a person's behavior than their sexual behavior, which arises from their sexual identity, a study of gender identification and the nature-nurture debate seems a logical one to decide the issue without dissent. (It should be noted, however, that arguably, a case might be made that this is not so, at least in the case of transgendered individuals and those whose behavior includes such contrarian behaviors as cross-dressing.) However, an article by Hausman (2000), dissects the results of enculturation of (and often surgery upon) individuals born with indeterminate physical sexual identifying characteristics. Hausman uses the case of twin sex reassignment to comment on the way gender operates in the nature vs. nurture debate, at least in terms of gender identity."

Tags:homosexuality, duality, enculturation, influences, environmental, anthropology, zoology

Abstract
The first segment of this paper focuses on the history of biological warfare and the various different types of biological agents that can be wielded as weapons. Next, the use of biological agents by terrorist organizations is examined. Many terrorist organizations have the motivation and determination to acquire and use biological weapons. The final segment of this paper considers the preventative measures taken by the government to thwart potential bioterrorists and the likely response in the event of a successful attack. This paper includes an 8-page annotated bibliography of 18 sources.

Outline:
Introduction
History
Prevention through Response
Characteristics of Biological Agents
Bioterrorism
Terrorist Goals
Prevention and Response
Prevention through Response
Treatment
Social Response
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Over the past two decades, the United States has been the target of terrorist organizations on multiple occasions. The attacks have come on U.S. foreign interests and on U.S. soil itself. Terrorists are constantly changing their strategies and methods. Nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks have historically been the most efficient means to kill the largest number of people possible. Of these three options, biological attack is considered by many to be not only the most destructive, but also the most possible form of attack."

Tags:microorganism, mass panic, anthrax super-virus Ebola lethal outbreak syndromic surveillance

Abstract
This paper examines human culture and how intelligence is determined by biological factors. The author discusses the origins of the human brain, and how it evolved into a tool of intelligence more than two million years ago, and how societal cultures are learned and shared.

From the Paper
"According to Wolpoff, ?while a human culture cannot be linked to a particular biology, or vice versa, for humans culture is biology.? Wolpoff, 1999, p.164. This statement means that development of a culture is dependent on biologically determined factors. The most important reason for the development of culture is adaptation for survival under changing environment, which in turn requires, on the one hand, natural selection, and on the other making choices, rather than merely acting on instinct. Intelligence, needed for the purpose of making choices has been the product of biological factors. It should be noted that even though some animals such as wild dogs also live in societies, only humans have developed culture. Culture developed side by side with the evolution of certain physical features in the human species, Homo sapiens that made intelligence possible."

Tags:paleoanthropology, origins, neanderthal, dna, communication, wolpoff

Abstract
This paper discusses that, whereas fingerprints and blood typing were once the most popular biological forensic tools, today DNA evidence is most widely used systematically to eliminate the possibility of guilt. The author points out that a lawyer in the O.J. Simpson case ridiculed the pathologist, who was one of the leading experts on DNA testing, for failing to follow proper protocol when handling DNA evidence. This represents a significant step in the progression of the use of DNA in forensics. The paper explains that forensic anthropology, also a part of the world of legal medicine, identifies and analyzes skeletons whose identity and circumstances of death are unknown or are questionable.

From the Paper
"Although OJ had just flown to Chicago, he returned to Los Angeles and agreed to answer questions. Investigators then noticed a cut on a finger of his left hand. Forensics investigators found the crime scene to indicate that the killer, cut on his left hand, had trailed blood outside the gates. OJ told conflicting stories as to the way that his finger had been cut. Genetic tests were made on the droplets of blood found at the crime scene, which did not match either Nicole Brown Simpson's blood or Ron Goldman's blood. When OJ's blood was tested against it, it was found that there was better than a 99.9% chance that the blood was his. OJ's defense attorneys claimed that this blood was placed at the crime scene by malicious police officers."

Tags:dna, fingerprints, blood, protocol, simpson

Abstract
This paper explores several questions on human nature regarding the long-standing nature vs. nurture debate. The paper examines the pro-nurture position, the beliefs of several well-known philosophers regarding the nature versus nurture question, the implications of the Human Genome Project, and the conclusions of several studies conducted on the link between genetics and the environment.

From the Paper
"The pro-nature side holds that learning or knowledge acquisition, in particular, is in itself a kind of genetic information that is pre-determined by natural selection (Csongradi 2004). Some of the knowledge a person gains may come from interactions or functionally, but what is genetically established will also change or influence the person's experiences. What he learns about the world from the family, school, religion and society in general is something natural and only reinforced over time. This is demonstrated by studies on the pack behavior of animals that grew out of the best chances of procreation and this understanding of the world enhanced both group and individual survival (Csongradi). As in other illustrations, this animal behavior favored the survival of offspring and perpetuated genes that would guarantee that survival. Studies of highly gifted autistic patients also showed that a person can develop extraordinary artistic or scientific talents without requiring nurture."

Tags:hume, descartes, kant, freud, behaviorist, inherited, formation, experience, values, culture

From the Paper
"The scope of talent and ability is great and far ranging, as are the various environments in which they develop. In order to produce a complete study, the different areas of talent and the environments must be looked at: intellectual and academic aptitude, potential in the arts, psychomotor abilities, and spiritual abilities. The overall cultural environment must be taken into account, but special attention should be given to the personal and intimate environment in which the talented individual developed. It is in this personal area that similarities may be discovered and in turn applied to the abilities in the general population."

Tags:development, genetics, nature, nuture, psychology, environment, talent

From the Paper
"Stephen Jay Gould's The Mismeasure of Man seeks to demonstrate both the scientific weaknesses and political contexts of biological determinist arguments. As a side argument, Gould attempts to show that science is objective only if performed properly, like anything else. In order for scientists to obtain this all essential objectivity, he shows that they must first "shuck the constraints of their culture, and view the world as it really is" (21).


The primary focus of The Mismeasure of Man is intelligence testing. Long shrouded in pseudo-scientific mumbo jumbo, IQ testing has been used to culturally oppress the mental underdogs who occupy the lower rungs of the social ladder. The essential tragedy of such thinking is that biological determinist arguments with regard to IQ are limiting to the individual. As Gould..."