I'd welcome your advice concerning a 3000-word article I am writing on
"Statistics and Probability" for a non-specialist encyclopedia.
One of my proposed examples relates to genetics and the so-called "Punnet
square". This leads to several questions (below) on which I'd welcome your
advice/comments/suggestions etc. (also suggestions please as to other good
examples to use).
(1) Is the name "Punnett square" in sufficiently common use to need to use
it? What else is it called?
(2) Genetic outcomes are sometimes written using caps and lower-case e.g.
FF, ff, Ff and/or fF. How does one 'speak' these? Is there a better
notation?
(3) I'm currently using cystic fibrosis as an example. I'm told that this
depends upon a single recessive gene, which certainly makes the maths
easier. But is the science sound?
(4) Descriptors for F and f include the following adjectives:
- F is normal, sound, healthy , non-disease-inducing, 'OK' or 'good'
- f is mutant, .... disease-inducing, 'non-OK' or 'bad'.
I'm inclined to use 'good' and 'bad' but is that PC or will I be shot down?
Thanks for any advice that allstatters can provide.
(I'd also welcome references to other 'popular' introductions to stats &
prob that might provide good exposition or examples.)
JOHN BIBBY
(Please feel free to call me if that is easier - 01904-330334)
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