This book questions the extent to which human beings are capable of changing their physical characteristics and behavioural patterns.

Foreword Paul Baltes; Preface; 1. Perspectives on plasticity; 2. The life-span view of human development: philosophical, historical and substantive bases; 3. Gene making, recombinant DNA technology and gene transfer: toward true gene therapy; 4. Neuroanatomical bases of human plasticity; 5. Human neurochemistry and the role of neurotransmitters; 6. Evolutionary biology and hominid evolution; 7. Comparative-developmental psychological bases of plasticity; 8. Individual and group interdependencies; 9. Toward future multidisciplinary efforts; 10. Conclusions: on the limits of plasticity and the plasticity of limits; References; Indexes.