Disasters Caused The World Since The Beginning - 1500 Words

Calamities have plagued the world since the beginning. The twentieth century, no exception. Millions lost their lives in World wars one and two, diseases spread like wild fire in foreign countries, and poverty was striking the world. Isolated events bearing striking similarities to these were in no short supply either. At this time, no event may have been worse than the sinking of the Titanic. The European designed and manufactured luxury ship boasted a length of 883 feet and was described, billed and sold as â€Å"The unsinkable ship†. This behemoth, massive ship weighed well over fifty thousand tons and dominated the Atlantic for her maiden voyage. The Titanic, like many other entities of the time, was not immune to calamity. Off the coast of the United States of America, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the ocean. Claiming over one thousand lives, the wreckage of the Titanic left few survivors. But, results of a new study indicate the Titanic may have a hidden secret, one that was not intended for the world to find out; a secret flaw that may have decided the fate of thousands in a minute. In the words of John F. Kennedy in the 1960’s regarding yet another calamity of the era, a day that will live in infamy. The world the passengers of the titanic knew was a world of difference compared to our own. Much of the world in Europe was seperated a single line, the line of poverty. The higher class were business owners and monopoly caretakers. While the poorShow MoreRelatedDisasters Caused By Natural Disasters1175 Words   |  5 Pages Disasters are a series of disruptions involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and effects, which exceeds the capability of that affected community to cope up with its already present resources. Disasters have been happening ever since the beginning of time. Every disaster can be classified as either a human caused disaster which basically involves the negligence or irresponsibility of one single person or a group of people, or natural caused disasters. Natural disastersRead MoreHurricanes and Earthquakes1652 Words   |  7 Pagesnatural disasters in the United States. They can be very disastrous and deadly. In the United States, t here have been 73 hurricanes since 1954. Earthquakes are harder to detect because they have to have at least a magnitude of 5 (Earthquakes per year, 2009). The amount of earthquakes detected in the United States was 1656 in the past 10 years (Earthquakes per year, 2009). The World Meteorological Organization is the organization that can choose the names of hurricanes. At the beginning of theRead MoreInternational Committee Of The Red Cross1281 Words   |  6 Pageseither because of natural disasters or armed conflicts. Across the decades, this concept has been changing; it was never the same. At the beginning it was only focused on certain type of people, such as soldiers. Nowadays, humanitarianism embrace all people without discrimination of any type. Over time the world is experiencing new and stronger natural disasters due to climate change; moreover, wars and conflicts between nations continue to create catastrophes all around the world. If humanitarian organizationsRead MoreCi elo Caldelas. Mrs. Gallos. English Iii Honors. 6 April1598 Words   |  7 PagesHunger Many children in this world suffer everyday in very different ways. Suffering ways could be the loss of shelter or having a very chronic disease. â€Å"We could start with hunger and malnutrition, which kill 3.1 million children under the age of five every year† (McGowan 8). Hunger is considered one of those ways and also causes other suffering barriers. Hunger is the craving and want of food. At times hunger causes a person to become very weak. Hunger has caused many child deaths throughoutRead MoreMan s Relationship With Nature1438 Words   |  6 Pages Nature is a marvelous and fascinating topic studied by man for centries. Since the beginning of human civilization, man is in a constant battle against nature. Man tries and tries to cultivate the wild side of nature but fails. We know more about the moon then the bottom of the ocean. Humans don t depend on the environment, they take advantage and discard the effects, while nature sits and halts waiting to strike back. Throughout the progression of the human timeline, catastrophic events almostRead MoreChernobyl: One of the Greatest Accidents the World Would Learn From1714 Words   |  7 PagesThe world has seen numerous engineering disasters and from each one, has gained insight to better prepare for future calamities. However, it is very difficult to fully foresee how an accident might occur just by looking back to past disasters. In addition, it is even harder to prepare for something that hasn’t even happened before. The Chernobyl accident is a prime example of an event that couldn’t be fully prevented just by looking to past disasters or even predicting this exact accident. PsychologicalRead MoreA Narrative on Terrorism670 Words   |  3 PagesNarrative on terrorism There have been occurrences of some major natural disasters over the recent times, this have had great impact on families and lives of many people. The event that has had a great impact to me is the recent occurrence of the September 11 terrorist attacks. These events made headlines in media all over the world in newspapers as well as television got an in depth detail of the occurrence that had a great impact on me ,I failed to understand how terrorists could be so evilRead MoreThe Tragic Downfall Of Creon s Antigone 1260 Words   |  6 Pageslargely affects the plot’s actions. Creon manages to extend and enlarge the disaster by sentencing Antigone to death, rejecting Haemon’s wisdom, berating Tiresias’ prophecy, and ignoring the Leader’s advice. The motive for Creon’s change attributes primarily to the expediency of the decision to free Antigone and have Polynices buried, which may have influenced Haemon’s and Antigone’s actions. Creon initially extends the disaster of the plot by sentencing Antigone to death after he discovers her involvementRead MoreA Country Of Chaos : Haiti1635 Words   |  7 Pagesthey have a lot of natural disasters, they have a history of an unstable government, and they have a poor healthcare system. Since Haiti is located between tectonic plates, it is prone to natural disasters. Natural disasters have forced the country farther into poverty due to the cost of damages. A good example is the earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010. The earthquake caused billions of dollars’ worth of damages. Haiti was already a very poor country before the disaster, but the earthquake forcedRead MoreThe Effects Of Renewable Energy On The United States1550 Words   |  7 Pages Renewable Energy In the 1960’s and 1970’s a movement regarding the physical environment began, this movement focused on a few environmental issues and disasters caused directly or indirectly by pollution. As the years progressed, this movement grew into a multifaceted activist movement gaining more attention in the US, more often referred as â€Å"Environmentalism† or â€Å"Environmental Activism†. As the human race realized the physical environment is fragile and thus must be protected, scientists started

Child Needs For A Child s Life - 1344 Words

A child needs to grow in an environment where their physical, emotional, social and educational needs are met. Many parents are working full time and find it difficult to find a balance to give all the things a child requires in the period of age where they are exploring a lot of changes and need support to help them from being confused and feel lonely. Adolescence is the period between 11 to 19 years of age. This is the period when children start asking questions and are able to make possible judgments by thinking about the various outcomes. Adolescence is a bewildering stage of not only physical change, but emotional, social and educational as well. Children in this stage are starting middle school and continue until high school. A few†¦show more content†¦I tmakes them feel left out. Estrogen in girls stimulates the growth of breast tissues as early as age of 9. Some girls mature at an earlier age than others and they too feel uncomfortable growing up. Body image as an ad olescent is very important as kids try to meet new peers and make new life choices such as joining the school’s sports team, requires a good body image. Physical growth occurs rapidly in the adolescent years than any other after infancy and one of the main reasons is nutrition. P An average adolescent needs 2400-3200 calories depending on body mass index. Lack of nutrition can lead to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia which is more common in females than men. The ratio of anorexia is over 10 girls to 1 boy. Such disorders are common in women as it may help them cope with sexual fears. Jean Piaget’s stage of cognitive development suggests that adolescence is the stage of formal operations which is at the top level in Piaget’s theory. By this stage children have met their cognitive maturity, have increased ability to classify objects and ideas, they engage in logical thoughts and can use experiences to generate hypothesis. In the videos to study Piaget ’s formal operations, many children were asked the same questions – where would you place a third eye, if A was taller than B and B was taller than C then who is taller? Such question were asked to asked of children under 11 years and another set over 12 years of age. The

DNA Profiling and Ethics Free Essays

string(119) " the use of genetic fingerprinting to determine whether two individuals have a biological parent–child relationship\." DNA Profiling and Ethics Reflection Journal Vanshika Khemka 14th October 2012 â€Å"33 autorad off† On 10th September 1984, geneticist Alec Jeffrey’s wrote these three words in his red desk diary. This marked the completion of an experiment, which studied how inherited illnesses pass through families. The experiment failed entirely. We will write a custom essay sample on DNA Profiling and Ethics or any similar topic only for you Order Now (McKie, 2009) However, this led to the most profound discovery: the world’s first DNA fingerprint. Now, the smallest swab of blood or sweat can determine the identity of an individual. We will discuss this process of DNA profiling in this journal. After going into the in-depth analysis of DNA profiling, we will discuss its uses and the ethical and legal issues that swarm the subject. |What is DNA Profiling? | Formally, DNA profiling is the analysis of short, highly specific, tandem-repeated- or hypervariable- genomic sequences, minisatellites known as variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs), to detect the degree of relatedness to another sequence of oligonucleotides. Segan, 1992) It is a technique employed by  forensic scientists  to assist in the identification of individuals by their respective  DNA  profiles, which are encrypted sets of numbers that reflect a person’s DNA makeup and can also be used as the person’s identifier. |The Process | Deoxyribonucleic Acid (â€Å"DNA†) is a six-foot long molecule found in the nucleus of every cell in the body. With the exception of identical twins, each individual’s DNA is unique. Thus the first step in the profiling process is to obtain a sample of the individual’s DNA, which is usually done using a buccal swab (i. e. from the cheek). We could also use a sample of blood, semen or hair. This sample is then analyzed using different techniques; discussed below. |Techniques of DNA Profiling | |Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) | It is a technique that exploits variations in homologous DNA sequences. It refers to a difference between samples of homologous DNA molecules that come from differing locations of restriction enzyme sites, and to a related laboratory technique by which these segments can be illustrated. In this process, the DNA is first chemically extracted from the sample. It is then fragmented using restriction enzymes. These enzymes act like scissors and cut the DNA where a specific sequence occurs. By gel electrophoresis, the DNA fragments are placed in a gel through which an electric current is passed. Owing to the negative charge of the DNA, the fragments migrate toward the positively charged pole of the gel. The DNA is then denatured and Southern blotting transfers the DNA fragments to a nylon membrane. A buffer solution is pulled through the gel and membrane and absorbed in paper towels. Hybridization, brought about by radioactive probe, shows only those fragments of interest from the polymorphic area of the DNA. Autoradiography is carried out next where the blot is placed in contact with a piece of x-ray film, where the radioactivity probe exposes the film and bands appear on the film where the probe has bound to the DNA. The results are then interpreted and in the case of a criminal investigation or civil case, it is matched against the suspect’s DNA profile, thus completing the process. (Hoeffel, 1990) This method is however very long-winded, cumbersome and the combination of all the above-mentioned steps could take about a month to complete. A large sample is required which makes it tougher. Hence other methods are adopted in recent times. |Polymerase Chain Reaction | With the invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, DNA profiling took huge strides forward in both discriminating power and the ability to recover information from very small (or degraded) starting samples. PCR greatly amplifies the amounts of a specific region of DNA. This process increases the number of copies of the allele, making enough DNA to allow the test to be performed on what may have originally been a DNA sample of insufficient molecular weight. Due to this technique the test can be conducted using a single hair strand. (Hoeffel, 1990) This process consists of a series of 20-40 repeated temperature changes, called cycles, with each cycle commonly consisting of 2-3 discrete temperature steps. The cycling is often preceded by a single temperature step (called  hold) at a high temperature (90 °C), and followed by one hold at the end for final product extension or brief storage. The temperatures used and the length of time they are applied in each cycle depend on a variety of parameters. These include the enzyme used for DNA synthesis, the concentration of divalent ions and dNTPs in the reaction, and the melting temperature (Tm) of the primers. The rest of the process is similar to the RFLP method. The major breakthrough is the fact that now the smallest trace of evidence can be used for DNA profiling as opposed to the large samples needed in the RFLP method. |Short Tandem Repeat Analysis | Also known as Microsatellites, short tandem repeats is used as an extension of the PCR Method. This method uses highly polymorphic regions that have short repeated sequences of DNA (the most common is 4 bases repeated, but there are other lengths in use, including 3 and 5 bases). (Hoeffel, 1990) Because unrelated people almost certainly have different numbers of repeat units, STRs can be used to discriminate between unrelated individuals. These STR  loci  (locations on a chromosome) are targeted with sequence-specific primers and amplified using  PCR. The DNA fragments that result are then separated and detected using  electrophoresis. |Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism | This is another technique that is much faster than RFLP and uses PCR. It not only has higher reproducibility, resolution, and sensitivity at the whole genome level compared to other techniques, but it also has the capability to amplify between 50 and 100 fragments at one time. In addition, no prior sequence information is needed for amplification (Meudt Clarke 2007). As a result, AFLP has become extremely beneficial in the study of bacteria, fungi, and plants, where much is still unknown about the genomic makeup of various organisms. |Applications of DNA Profiling | DNA profiling is extensively used for paternity testing and forensic analysis for criminal investigations. Parental testing is the use of genetic fingerprinting to determine whether two individuals have a biological parent–child relationship. You read "DNA Profiling and Ethics" in category "Essay examples" Comparing the DNA sequence of an individual to that of another individual can show whether one of them was derived from the other. Specific sequences are usually looked at to see whether they were copied verbatim from one of the individual’s genome to the other. (Berry, 1991) As for forensic analysis, laboratories compare the molecular weights of fragments of DNA from the suspect sample and crime sample and decide whether the two fragments could have come from the same individual. There are major benefits from this technology: the potential to make speedy and robust suspected offender identi? ations through automated profile comparisons in centralized criminal justice databases; the ability to con? dently eliminate innocent suspects from investigations; the increased likelihood of generating reliable and persuasive evidence for use in court; a reduction in the cost of many investigations; the likely deterrent effect of DNA databasing on potential criminal offenders; and a poss ible increase in public con? dence in policing and in the wider judicial process. (Berry, 1991) We will explore the ramifications of this extensive use in the next section. Is it ethical? | Now that we know the widespread use of DNA profiling, we see the power that it has and the influence it can have when it comes to people’s lives and the verdict issued in criminal cases. But is this power justified on an ethical front? Is it ethical to give so much power into the hands of the people responsible for carrying out these tests? Indeed, the development and application of DNA pro? ling has been widely described as the â€Å"greatest breakthrough in forensic science since ? ngerprinting. † However, the spread of forensic DNA pro? ing and databasing has also prompted a wide range of concerns about problems that may arise from the storage of tissue samples (especially those taken from individuals without consent) and the proliferating uses of genetic information by the polic e. (Williams Johnson, 2006) One could say that DNA profiling violates basic ethical values. Based on the values of liberty, our rights are technically reduced by police powers, which have the right to take and retain fingerprints and DNA profiles and samples without consent. The Forensic Use of Bioinformation: Ethical Issues, 2007) â€Å"So act that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means†; these words of wisdom imparted by Kant, also suggest that DNA profiling and the freedom to use that as evidence without explicit permission of the individual concerned would be using them as a means to an end and not an end in themselves. Therefore it can be argued that using DNA profiling takes away autonomy. The Forensic Use of Bioinformation: Ethical Issues, 2007) Spatial privacy is â€Å"a state of non-access to the individual’s physical or psychological self†. This is invaded by the nonconsensual taking of biological samples and fingerprints, and, to a lesser extent, by unwanted surveillance of the individual. And as can be inferred by the very nature of DNA profiling, informational privacy and anonymity is infringed upon by using samples obtained from databases and tests. (The Forensic Use of Bioinformation: Ethical Issues, 2007) Additional issues arise if identifiable samples or profiles on a forensic database are used for research outside the narrow context of identification and police investigations. Using DNA profiling for paternity testing and for determining one’s lineage can be very harmful as it violates the privacy of the people concerned. It could cause potential moral and mental harm to the parents and the children concerned as entire families can be uprooted as a result of this. Past criminal cases which used paternity testing also prove that relatives and families can be affected mentally as well as physically. People in witness protection programs as well as people on the police databases can be negatively affected if a previously unknown family link is reestablished without their knowledge and consent. (Haimes, 2006) The list of legal and ethical concerns is endless. The question the arises that which side wins? Benefits of DNA profiling, or the issues concerning DNA profiling? |Which side is stronger? | Having seen the costs and benefits of DNA profiling and its usage, the benefits are debatable on moral and ethical grounds. However, in my personal opinion, it does not have to be black and white; good or bad. There can be a grey area, a middle ground, where DNA profiling is neither entirely correct nor entirely wrong. There have been cases where DNA evidence has saved many innocent lives and incriminated people who had been causing immense harm to others. Thus, we should pass legislations, which aim at curbing violations and encouraging true and just practices. In the cases where the DNA of individuals is being used as evidence or if parental testing is being done, their should be informed consent by the individuals. They should be aware of the sensitive nature of the information and should be expressly asked for consent to have the data published or used as evidence. The National DNA Database set up in the UK is an example of the dangers and benefits DNA profiling can hold. Personally, a national DNA database in all countries would be a very risky venture as a lot of personal information would be at stake and inter country rivalries could result. We have established the power of DNA profiling and the power that people who have access to this information have. So I would like to end with a quote. One’s interpretation of this quote can determine where they stand on the matter. â€Å"It is time for you to gather some idea of what power means. The first thing you must realize is that power is collective. The individual has power in so far as he ceases to be an individual†¦ The second thing for you to realize is that power is power over human beings. Over the body- but, above all, over the mind. Power over matter- external reality, as you would call it- is not important. Already our control over matter is absolute. † – George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four Bibliography | Berry, D. A. (1991). Inferences Using DNA Profiling in Forensic Identification and Paternity Cases. Statistical Science , 6 (2), pp. 175-205. Haimes, E. (2006, June 1). Social and Ethical Issues in the Use of Familial Searching in Forensic Investigations: Insight from Family and Kinship Studies. Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics , 263-276. Hoeffel, J. C. (1990, January). The Dar Side of DNA Profiling: Unreliable Scientific Evidence Meets the Criminal Defendant. Stanford Law Review , 42 (2), pp. 465-538. McKie, R. (2009, May 24). Eureka moment that led to the discovery of DNA fingerprinting. Retrieved October 10, 2012, from The Guardian: http://www. guardian. co. uk/science/2009/may/24/dna-fingerprinting-alec-jeffreys Segan, C. J. (1992, February 15). DNA Profiling. The Dictionary of Modern Medicine . The Forensic Use of Bioinformation: Ethical Issues. (2007, September). NuField Council on Bioethics . Williams, R. , Johnson, P. (2006, June 1). Inclusiveness, Effectiveness and Intrusiveness: Issues in the Developing Uses of DNA Pro? ling in Support of Criminal Investigations. Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics , 234-247. Wikipedia How to cite DNA Profiling and Ethics, Essay examples

Food, Inc., By Eric Schlosser Essay Example For Students

Food, Inc., By Eric Schlosser Essay Over the past 50 years, there has been a major change in the food production industry. Unlike many years ago when people used to get their food right from the farm; fresh and purely organic, nowadays most people in America rely on processed industrial food, but do these consumers know the truth behind the processed food? In the movie documentary titled Food, Inc., which was directed by renowned director Robert Kenner, author Eric Schlosser explores the facts and secrets behind the food industry. This paper will review the video documentary by giving a brief summary of the movie; a five point discussion on the important issues it raises; a personal evaluation of the movie and lastly examples on how I can apply its ideas in my lifestyle. Like no other ordinary documentary, Food, Inc. explores the reality behind one of the most controversial part of the human lifestyle; food. The movie starts with the author, Eric Schlosser showing some of the more than 47,000 food brands in a regular supermarket. It’s here that it is revealed that food production has changed from years ago when food was acquired from privately owned farms growing fresh produce, whereas in the current market, food is processed in industries (Food, Inc., 2008). In fact, it is revealed in the film that the American food industry is dominated by five giant corporations, who control about eighty percent of the whole industry. Among other issues, the movie talks on how fruits and vegetables are now laced with chemicals, the resulting economic impact, the health impact on consumers, and the role of the government in supervising the food industry. In order to illustrate the facts in an exceptional way, the author discusses a number of key issues. For one, the movie expos. .th from the general public. Moreover, the movie uses clear examples to illustrate and convey its message on various key issues despite the presence of some disgusting scenes such as the clip of a messy slaughterhouse (Food, Inc., 2008). Overall, the documentary explores a sensitive part of many people’s lifestyles. It gives people an exceptional form of insight on the health risks associated with the much hyped industrial food products. Like many other people, the information from the movie will facilitate a change in my eating habits; further causing me to buy and consume organic foods. By choosing products with less synthetic ingredients, there’s less mystery in what gets ingested. This is because whereas industrial foods are less expensive and readily available with many quantities, the health risks associated with them in the long-term are permanent and harmful.