Essays and Research Papers on Genetics & Paleontology

A 3 page overview of the two primary theories concerning the creation of life. These theories are the Big Bang theory and the Creationist theory. While significant effort has been expended demonstrating the validity of the Big Bang theory, there always remains the exceptions in the so-called universal genetic code that are not ...

This 7 page book review presents an introduction along with critical chapter summaries. Much attention is paid to the illustrations. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page assertion of the value of stem cell research. Despite the controversy surrounding it, stem cell research has the potential to greatly benefit mankind and the world as a whole. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

This 5 page paper examines this new possible species. The controversy surrounding the discovery is discussed. Bibliography lists sources.

A 6 page review of an article appearing in Scientific American in 2003 discussing genetic similarities and differences between and within those groups of humans that we commonly refer to as races. The authors discuss the role that Alu polymorphism carries in distinguishing broad groups of people and the limitations of using the measure ...

A 10 page paper which examines how scientists are eager to accept credit and praise, but should also willingly accept blame for discoveries as well. The paper examines this in relationship to genetic engineering. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

4 pages in length. The scientific and popular news media have heralded several "life-extending" and "life-altering" technologies, not the least of which include embryonic stem-cell research, cloning, genetic intervention and organ transplantation. While such technologies represent remarkable developments and applications of man's emerging scientific understanding, these technologies also raise critical issues with respect ...

A 6 page overview of the phenomenal success achieved in South Korea in 2005 with the first successful dog clone. This paper compares two articles detailing the experiment, one from a peer-reviewed journal and written by the primary researchers and another from the popular press. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page overview of the various scenarios in which hybridization occurs. While hybridization can occur in the wild, it is quite rare. Hybrids are intentionally produced quite frequently in our contemporary world, however, in an attempt to explore the influence of genetics on a particular behavior or to produce a plant or ...

A 3 page overview of the process of natural selection. The author details how natural selection influenced speciation in Darwin's finches and in man himself. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page paper looks at two articles on human cloning. Both sides of the issue are explored but the paper ultimately supports cloning. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page paper which supports cloning. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page overview of the applications of transgenic genetically engineered plants. This paper discusses transgenic plants from a pharmacological perspective, noting the importance of plantibodies and plantigens in treating human disease. No sources are listed.

6 pages in length. A farmer in 1890's Iowa tilling his soil to prepare for next season's crops would no more understand the concept of or need for human modification and enhancement than he would the idea of cosmetic surgery or heart transplants. For him, simplicity was the mantra for his entire existence; ...

This 4 page thesis paper supports the point of view that science is not definite. Two articles --one by Stephen J. Gould and the other by Fox--are compared and contrasted. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the violent gene. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines natural selection and evolution concerning the Galapagos finches through the research of Peter and Rosemary Grant. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 7 page review of the literature review presented by Ming, Wang, Moore, and Paterson in the February 2007 edition of the American Journal of Botany. No additional sources are listed.

This 8 page paper discusses the “extinction vortex” with regard to what it is and how it is used. It also examines such things as the sex ratio, population size and lethal recessive allele with regard to species survival. Finally, it discusses the apparent die-off of bees in the U.S. and considers reasons for it. ...

A 5 page paper which examines reproductive cloning v therapeutic cloning. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 9 page paper which examines DNA replication. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 4 page overview of three theories on the origin of life, the extraterrestrial theory, the heteroph theory and the autotroph theory. This paper explains how natural mechanisms such as mutations, sexual reproduction, and even such aspects of the natural behavior of various species as migration and population size work to maintain genetic ...

A 6 page research paper/essay that discusses bioethics based on an opening scenario. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses several points having to do with genetics, evaluates them from the standpoint of science and pseudoscience, and tries to reconcile the two extremes. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 6 page paper examines points made in this book. The paper supports the idea that while the organic fruits and vegetables are a known entity, they are sprayed with pesticides and are not safe, so it makes more sense to choose the genetically engineered fruits and vegetables. No additional sources cited.