Biology, Psychology, Ethics, Politics, and Religion
2nd Edition
Michel Tibayrenc
English
This second edition of On Human Nature: Biology, Psychology, Ethics, Politics, and Religion covers the present state of knowledge on human biological and cultural diversity and its adaptative significance through an extensive selection of representative chapters. It brings together specialists from various fields, including geneticists, evolutionists, physicians, ethologists, psychoanalysts, anthropologists, sociologists, theologians, historians, linguists, and philosophers. Edited by renowned expert Michel Tibayrenc, this second edition features updates to all major sections of the first edition and brings novel chapters covering critical advancements in human biology, psychology, behavior, ethics, and culture. A globally diverse and interdisciplinary team of experts has been carefully selected to cover the breadth of topics enclosed. The book is at the crossroads between biology and social sciences. On Human Nature is accessible not only to specialists, but also to students, professors, industry professionals, and the educated public. Glossaries of specialized terms and general public references help nonspecialists understand complex notions, with contributions avoiding technical jargon.
The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection by R.A. Fisher (1930) dictated that sexual dimorphisms may depend upon a single medelian factor. This could be true for some species but his suggestion could not take off the ground as gender in Drosophila is determined by the number of X chromosomes. Technical advances in molecular biology have revived the initial thinking of Fisher and dictate that TDF or SRY genes in humans or Tdy in mice are sex determining genes. The fortuitous findings of XX males and XY female, which are generally termed sex reversal phenomenon, are quite bewildering traits that have caused much amazement concerning the pairing mechanism(s) of the pseudoautosomal regions of human X and Y chromosomes at meiosis. These findings have opened new avenues to explore further the genetic basis of sex determination at the single gene level.The aim of the fourth volume, titled Genetics of Sex Determination is to reflect on the latest advances and future investigative directions, encompassing 10 chapters. Commissioned several distinguished scientists, all pre-eminent authorities in each field to shed their thoughts concisely but epitomise their chapters with an extended bibliography. Obviously, during the past 60 years, the metoric advances are voluminous and to cover every account of genes, chromosomes, and sex in a single volume format would be a herculean task. Therefore, a few specific topics are chosen, which may be of great interest to scientists and clinicians. The seasoned scientists who love to inquire about the role of genes in sex determination should find the original work of these notable contributors very enlightening. This volume is intended for advanced students who want to keep abreast as well as for those who indulge in the search for genes of sex determination.
