Opposing Genetically Modified Organisms essays

Opposing Genetically Modified Organisms essays As a result of biotechnology and its wake of controversy that follows, a number or organizations have voiced their concerns toward the corporate driven discipline. As a product of biotechnologies carelessness, or motives, activist groups have risen throughout the world opposing the novelty of genetically modified organisms. The intent of biotech companies is to market and eventually sell these innovations, eventually increasing their profits and stock prices so new products can be funded while the shareholders line their pockets. Opposing organizations which see biotechnologies incentives as a danger to society and the many other life forms that exist on our planet interrupts such a process. Greenpeace is perhaps the biggest organization in opposition to genetically modified organisms. Greenpeace is an international environmental organization which fights to help protect and restore the environment. It is currently involved in a number of areas including; climate, toxics, nuclear, oceans, ocean dumping, forests and the somewhat novel area of genetic engineering. According to Greenpeace, genetically modified organisms must not be released in the environment, as the consequences for the environment and evolution are unpredictable and irreversible (Greenpeace, 2000). Once released, the new living organisms made by genetic engineering are able to interact with other forms of life, reproduce, transfer their characteristics and mutate in response to environmental influences. In most cases they can never be recalled or contained. Any mistakes or undesirable consequences could be passed on to all future generations of life. Greenpeace addresses facts like these on their website, adding that the introduction of foreign species is a major cause of ecological disruption and erosion of biodiversity. For example, in the United States alone, 42% of the species on the threatened or endangered species list are at risk primarily because of...

Gueule de bois - French Expression

Gueule de bois - French Expression Expression: Gueule de bois Pronunciation: [gool d(eu) bwa] Meaning: hangover Literal translation: wooden mouth Register: informal Notes A hangover is, hopefully, not something you have every day, but when you do, it might be helpful to know that the French translation is la gueule de bois. Gueule is an informal term for mouth, and de bois describes how dry it feels when you have a hangover. Coincidentally, bois is also the first and second person present conjugation of boire  - ​ to drink. Examples   Ã‚  Ã‚  Bonne Annà ©e ! Ne bois trop de champagne, tu ne veux pas avoir la gueule de bois demain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Happy New Year! Dont drink too much champagne, you dont want to have a hangover tomorrow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Oh l l, ma tà ªte ! Jai la gueule de bois.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ohh, my head! I have a hangover/Im hung over.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Quest-ce que tu vas faire pour soigner ta gueule de bois  ?   Ã‚  Ã‚  What will you do to cure your hangover? More Expressions with avoirMost common French phrasesNew Years in France

Critiquing Marijuana Legislation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Critiquing Marijuana Legislation - Essay Example The author of the essay "Is there any Justice: Marijuana as Medicine - the Case for Legalization" begins with that the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes is viewed by many as one of the worst things that we could do. There are many reasons that people feel that marijuana should not be legalized for medical uses. Marijuana is an illegal substance and until that is changed; prescribing it is against the law. Dr. Jerome Kassirer wrote that, "Attorney General Janet Reno announced that physicians in any state who prescribe the drug could lose the privilege of writing prescriptions, be excluded from medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, and even be prosecuted for a federal crime". Government officials are not the only ones to object to the legalization of marijuana. Another objection to the legalization of marijuana is shown in "Marijuana for the Sick", where it is pointed out that many parents object to the legalization of marijuana for medical uses. Their objections come fr om a reasonable concern that there has been an increase in the use of marijuana by teenagers. Their concern is expanded since the marijuana of today is much more potent than the marijuana of a few decades ago. Another concern regarding the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes is that there is strong evidence that shows that regular use of marijuana for long periods of time could cause severe lung damage. If the use of marijuana could damage a patient's lungs, then the risk could outweigh the benefit. The strongest point that many make opposing the legalization of marijuana is that there just is no clear evidence that smoking marijuana can help an individual who is ill (Abrams, Child & Mitchell, 2005). History of Marijuana and its use in medical field The history of the beneficial use of marijuana is a long one. Marijuana is one of the oldest drugs known to man, the use of which has been documented as far back as 2700 B.C. in a Chinese manuscript (Bakalar & Grinspoon, 2007) Although no actual studies were performed at the time, the simple fact that marijuana had been used for such an extensive period of time, shows that it can be used as a beneficial substance in helping those who are ailing. There has been research done in more recent times on the effectiveness of marijuana. Many reports are in favor of utilizing medical marijuana. In 1839, a respected member of the Royal Academy of Science, Dr. W. B. O'Shaugnessy, was one of the first in the medical profession, who presented positive facts dealing with marijuana and medicine (Bakalar & Grinspoon, 2007). In one Journal of American Medical Association article, "Marijuana as Medicine, a Plea for Reconsideration" stated that from 1840 to 1900, more than one hundred articles by Ameri can and European medical journals were published that showed the therapeutic uses of marijuana. Now recall the first criteria for a drug to be considered a controlled

How Hitlers abuse as a child and early life strongly shaped how he Thesis

How Hitlers abuse as a child and early life strongly shaped how he ruled as Fuehrer - Thesis Example Germany had never witnessed so much development, such that it almost reached its full employment level. Apart from the goodness of his rule, Hitler also unleashed his malevolence upon the nation, this depiction of evil is known as ‘the Holocaust’, and through this he pursued his dream of an anti-Semitic nation and a racially pure nation. The Jews, whom Hitler declared to be the ‘anti-race’ were excluded from all university placements, jobs, and even their shops were boycotted, they were proudly declared by Hitler as the ‘subjects’ of Germans rather than citizens of Germany. Then he inflicted upon them the terror of Genocide, which claimed almost 6million lives. During his tenure as the Fuhrer, Germany was in alliance with Italy and Japan, and thus started the World War 2 against the diametrically opposite Allied Powers from 1942 to 1944. Hitler nearly escaped death at the hands of the bomb planted by Claus Von Stauffenberg, under Operation Valky rie; the Fuhrer managed to escape and married his Eva Braun, with whom he had a silent affair for sixteen years. Ultimately, Hitler died of his own accord, by consuming a capsule of cyanide and a bullet in head. Thus the world saw the demise of an evil genius who inflicted terror upon the people of the opposite race, and yet amazed the world with his genius maneuvers (Emagzin, 2010). The way Adolf Hitler ruled as a Fuhrer was not out of the blue, it is claimed by that his personality traits were shaped by the life he spent in his early years, and most importantly the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, which molded his character such that he became a tyrannical ruler whose actions were identical to incidents from his early life. This paper highlights upon four important factors presented by his early life which shaped his rule as the Fuhrer of Germany, and then these factors are discussed in detail in accordance with their relevance (Craun Kids, 2010). Hitler’s inte raction with his friends in Early Childhood This is perhaps the least important factor which shaped Hitler’s rule as a Fuhrer, yet it is significant with regards to his tactics and plans for Germany’s expansion and the annihilation of the anti-race. As a child in his early years, Adolf Hitler was extremely fond of playing outdoors, and it is known that he spent most of his days playing outside of house with his friends, since he had very minute amount of work assigned to him to complete at home in elementary school. He substantiated this fact in his autobiography ‘Mein Kampf’ that: â€Å"School work was ridiculously easy, leaving me so much free time that the sun saw more of me than my room† (Hitler 8). This is not just a mere fact of a child’s pastime, but it carries immense importance when analyzed in collaboration with the activities of that boy as a grown up. One of the most common games that Hitler was fond of and enjoyed playing with hi s friends was ‘Cowboys versus Indians’. The frequency of this game being played and enjoyed by Hitler speaks of a characteristic inherent in the young kid’s personality, which is love of war. Hitler enjoyed the game because it was a depiction of war, thus translating into the fact which the world witnessed as he grew older and became the Fuhrer of Germany. The enjoyment derived from the game, the sharpness of mind in a warrior like manner and the tactics learned through this game set a precedent for his later

Physicians Assisted Suicide in the USA Research Paper

Physicians Assisted Suicide in the USA - Research Paper Example In addition, the practice would lessen the urgency to develop new medicines designed to prolong life. Those who oppose the practice on religious grounds argue that it is ‘playing God’ therefore sinful. Health care professionals cite the Hippocratic Oath which forbids them from carrying out this procedure. This paper will examine the moral and ethical concerns surrounding euthanasia, clarify the meaning of the term, present arguments both for and against the practice and conclude with a recommendation to resolve the issue. The word euthanasia is from Greek origin meaning ‘good death.’ Writers of 1700’s Britain referred to euthanasia as a being a preferential method by which to ‘die well’ (â€Å"Definition†, 2007). Euthanasia describes a situation in which a terminally ill patient is administered a lethal dose of medication, is removed from a life-support system or is simply allowed to die without active participation such as by resu scitation. A doctor’s involvement in the procedure could be to either prescribe a lethal dose of drugs with the express intent of ending a life or by intravenously inserting a needle into the terminal patient who then activates a switch that administers the fatal dose (Naji et al, 2005). Physicians, lawmakers, and philosophers have debated the notion of euthanasia since the beginning of recorded history but the wide public debate regarding its legalization has only surfaced over the past four decades. In the 1970’s it became lawful to draft ‘living wills’ which allows a patient to refuse ‘heroic’ life saving medical assistance in the event they were incapacitated and could only survive by artificial means (Rich, 2001). In other words, it gave the next of kin the right to direct doctors to ‘pull the plug’ if the patient’s condition was considered hopeless, a practice which is now broadly accepted. However, these wills did no t eliminate the potential problem of individuals being kept alive for incredibly long periods of time in permanent unconscious states as there were often no provisions for withdrawing nutrition and hydration when no other life support interventions were necessary. This oversight has been largely addressed through power of attorney. Today, the debate centers on individual autonomy, whether or not patients who suffer from extreme pain and have a terminal or degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, AIDS and multiple sclerosis have the right to an assisted death of the type and time of their own choosing (â€Å"The Fight†, 2004). The euthanasia debate embraces compelling and impassioned arguments on both sides of the issue. Proponents of euthanasia are concerned with human suffering. Many diseases such as cancer cause a lingering and excruciatingly painful death. Watching a loved one as they wither away from the disease eating away at their organs is tough enough on fami ly members, but to see them suffer even when drugs are administered is unbearable not to mention what the patient must endure. This emotionally and physically torturous situation is played out in every hospital, every day of the year but serves no purpose.

Child Obesity in Canada: Strategies for Intervention

Child Obesity in Canada: Strategies for Intervention   Child Obesity in Canada Immediate Action Needed for a Better Future Executive Summary Obesity is a condition that there is excessive body fat which leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Obesity puts children at significant risks for not only health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers, but also mental and societal issues such as stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and decreased academic performance. Obesity in Canada has become a leading public health concern. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased five-fold from 1981. Currently, there are approximately 600,000 obese school-aged children countrywide. Obesity costs the nation approximately $1.27 to $11.08 billion per year just in health care. Obesity is preventable. Promotion of healthy eating and active lifestyle is considered the most effective measure targeting childhood overweight and obesity. There are efforts to tackle this problem from federal, provincial and territorial governments, community, and school boards. However, they are not enough to end the obesity epidemic. There is still no nationally standardized school nutrition policy, resulting in different interpretation and implementation of school nutrition policies for our children across the country. The federal, provincial and territorial governments could work together to fix this. In addition, the federal government has attempted to tackle childhood obesity by the Child Fitness Tax Credit (CFTC) program since 2006. However, the CFTC does not prove to be effective and achieving its objectives. There is also a need to review and revise this initiative accordingly. School-based intervention is proved to be effective in modifying dietary habit and promoting active lifestyle. Reduction of overweight and obesity among students has been observed in the APPLE School program in Alberta. The potential obesity associated cost savings for our nation would be up to 330 million per year if this model was scaled up countrywide. Problem Definition Obesity is a condition involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is normally determined by a simple index of weight-for-height called body-mass-index (BMI). In adults (20 years and older), a BMI of larger than 25 and 30 is considered overweight and obesity respectively [1, 2]. For child and teen (2 to less than 20 years), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a BMI-for-age percentile scale, in which BMI-for-age from 85% to 95% tile and 95% tile and higher is considered overweight and obesity respectively [3]. Although the causes of overweight and obesity are complex, the fundamental reason is the imbalance between energy consumed and expended. This is normally caused by increased intake of energy-excessive foods and sedentary lifestyle. Obesity is the most commonly seen disorder in children in developed world. Childhood obesity puts children at significant risks of many health problems. This can include chronic and fatal disease like type-2 diabetes, various types of cancer and cardiovascular disease [4-6]. Obesity also places children at a higher risk of stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and decreased academic performance in school [7]. However, scientists suggest that the greatest health problems will be seen as the present generation of overweight and obese children becomes the next generation of adults [8], probably with more social and medical problems and a shorter lifespan than their parents. Childhood obesity in Canada is on the rise and has become a leading public health concern. Currently, more than a quarter of Canadian children and youth are overweight or obese. Obesity and its resulting health effects are extremely expensive. Obesity is theoretically responsible for 9% of deaths among adults aged 20-64 years [9]. The cost of obesity in health care ranges from $1.27 to $11.08 billion per year [10]. The objectives of this policy brief are to: Promote awareness of childhood obesity problem in Canada and urge for immediate policy actions from federal, provincial and territorial governments, and school boards; Make recommendations on interventional policy actions to tackle obesity problem. Only peer-reviewed publications, health professional agencies’ (CDC, WHO) materials and government reports are used to provide evidence and supportive argumentation. Review of Evidence Canada, like many other developed nations, is facing an emerging epidemic of overweight and obesity. Scientific evidence indicates dramatic increases in both overweight and obesity over the last decades, particularly among children. Prevalence of childhood overweight has tripled since 1981 while that of obesity has increased five-fold during the same period [11, 12]. Presently, there are approximately 7 million obese adults and 600.000 obese school-aged children in Canada [12]. If current trends continue, 55% of Canadians will be either overweight or obese by 2020 [13] and up to 70% of adults aged 40 years will be either overweight or obese by 2040 [14]. Childhood obesity is driven by a number of factors, including personal, interpersonal factors, organizations, community and a broader social environment [15]. It is a complex and multifaceted web of reasons. Thus, a multidimensional and coordinated approach is needed to tackle this health problem. Among many possible interventions, promotion of healthy eating and active lifestyle is considered the most effective measure targeting childhood excessive body weight [16]. Junk food and sugar-added beverage provide excessive calorie intake while they lack nutritional value. However, this kind of food is still available in school vending machines or cafeterias in a number of provinces. Further, there is no standard policy on school nutrition, especially those related to vending machine foods, across provinces and territories of Canada. While New Brunswick and Ontario have mandatory regulations to ensure that only healthy foods are available at school environment, some others also have but do not cover all levels of education or have weak nutrition standards, which allow sale of high fat and high salt foods [17]. Apparently, the differences in school nutrition policies create unequal schooling environment for our children across Canada. It seems agreeable that any obesity prevention program should include some form of physical activity advocacy and education [18]. The Canadian Paediatrics Society recommends a healthy living for children and youth, in which children and adolescents are recommended to â€Å"increase the time that they spend on physical activities and sports by at least 30 min/day, with at least 10 min involving vigorous activities† [19]. In addition, promoting physical education in school has proved to be effective and is required in a number of places. Arkansas State in the United States mandates that every student in kindergarten through grade nine receive no less than one hour of physical education instruction per week for every student who is physically fit and able to participate [20]. For a maximum effectiveness, physical activities should be promoted at both community and school levels to create a continuum of active living from home to school and vice versa for our children. Possible Ways to Address the Problem Overweight and obesity are preventable [2]. Even though there are many policy options, this paper opts to highlight three possible solutions for federal, provincial and territorial policymakers, as well as school boards to win the fight against childhood overweight and obesity. Development of a national school nutrition policy Even though education and health rest with provincial and territorial responsibility, a policy from Health Canada can help shape common standards of school nutrition nationally. Such a policy can ensure that our children have access to heathy and nutritious foods while they are in school in all provinces, and hence provides better protection to our children in fighting against overweight and obesity. This can include, for example, nationally nutrition standards for foods provided in cafeterias, vending machines, and at school special events. This national policy should be mandatory and implemented at all levels of education. Provincial and territorial governments could issue additional school food-related policies to further protect their population. However, the national policy requirements should be adhered and kept as minimum standards. School boards and provincial, territorial health authorities will be responsible for implementation and monitoring of these policies. Revision of Child Fitness Tax Credit program Since 2006, the federal government has actively attempted to tackle childhood obesity by introducing Child Fitness Tax Credit (CFTC), in which parents can claim up to $500 to alleviate participation costs when they register children into eligible physical activity programs [21]. However, research has shown that this program does not meet its objectives. CFTC appears to provide little to no benefit to those who cannot afford physical activity program cost and carry that burden until the end of the tax year [22] and those who have no taxable income. Therefore, the CFTC has little impact on physical activities of children in low income families, who most need it. As overweight Canadians in low income households are 40% more likely to be obese than those in high income category [14], the CFTC has failed its childhood obesity prevention. Thus, there is a need to review and revise this initiative, so every Canadian kid has an equal and better chance of participating in physical activity pr ograms. Implementation of school-based intervention program School is an ideal place for childhood overweight and obesity prevention intervention as children spend a large proportion of their time at school. There is strong evidence supporting school-based intervention. A review of 16 school-based childhood obesity prevention programs in Chile, Belgium, United Kingdom and the United States shows that a positive change of dietary habits is highly achievable [18]. Specifically, the Alberta Project Promoting Active Living and Healthy Eating (APPLE) School program has proved that an intervention on healthy nutrition and active lifestyle in schools has resulted in reduced overweight and obesity in students. Currently, there are 40 APPLE schools in Alberta. If this school model was to be scaled up nationally, the potential cost savings for Canada would be $150 to $330 million per year [23]. Recommendation School-based program is effective in preventing childhood obesity and thus reducing comorbidity and health spending in the long run. This approach has an advantage of reaching almost all children in the community. In addition to health benefits, it may improve student academic performance and provide additional social benefits. Further, it establishes healthy behaviors at early stage of life that can lead to life-long healthy habits [16]. Given the complex nature of determinants of childhood overweight and obesity, school-based prevention intervention should be guided by behavioral theoretical frameworks. It is also worth to note that involvement of school food program and parent influence is the key to success. It has been shown that parent involvement is an important component of school-based intervention [18]. It would not be realistic to expect immediate results. Notable reduction in childhood overweight and obesity can only be seen in years with intensive and diversified interventions [18]. However, if no action is taken now, our children’s lives are at risk of being deteriorated by social and medical complications of excess body weight in the years to come.

Self-Acceptance is the Key to Happiness :: Happiness Essays

Is life really about the 'money', the 'cash', who has the biggest gold chain or who drives the shiniest or fastest car, who sells the most albums or who has the most respect? Today happiness is viewed in many different ways. Everyone defines happiness according to their personal perpectives. Each individual describes their inner feelings in a way that you can't compare with another. Happiness originally and logically means the inner state of well being or a pleasurable or satisfying experience. It enables you to profit from your highest: thoughts, wisdom, intelligence, common sense, emotions, health, and spiritual values in your life. What makes you happy and what makes me happy are different things. Whatever it is that gives you warm fuzzes is determined by you, and only you. This difference is what makes the world interesting. Most of the happiness that we experience comes from the feeling of love. So many people look to their love relationships,especially marriage to give them the happiness that they cannot find on their own. Love is not enough to provide happiness, then there must be many frustrated lovers in the world. The belief that love gurantess happiness is left over from the ideology of romantic love that tells us we will live happily ever after if we can only find the right person with whom to spend our life with. If we realize that love by itself will not bring happiness, then hopefully we will be more tolerant of the imperfections of those we love. If our relatioships have their problems and if those we love do not always meet our expectations it doesn't mean that we have lost our chance for happiness. When we do not expect love to give us the happiness we seen, there will be more room for forgiveness of the imperfections and problems that always accompany love. What makes us happy is so varied. To be happy is a fleeting thing, which we enjoy so much and often want it back as soon as possible .The things that make me happy in my life can seem boring to others.My happiness is my health,my success and my marriage. My happiness is to have a shoulder to lean on when my days are going bad. Marriage has helped me look forward for my future. It opened my heart and my mind to the true existing world. It's not like I wasn't happy before I got married.