Genetically Engineered Crops Essay -- GMOs Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically Engineered Crops Chemical and seed companies have been working the last several years to alter the genetic make-up of certain crops to combat heavy pressure from insects and weeds. Through genetic manipulation plant breeders have been able to make certain crops resistant to different types of chemicals and insects. Breeders can alter the crops by adding to a specific plant one or more genes from other related crops with a known resistance to an insect or herbicide The use of genetically engineered crops has become a hotly debated topic over the last couple of years. Environmentalists are concerned with how these new crops will affect the environment. Farmers want to know how these crops will help them to increase production and increase profits. Consumers are interested in the possible health risks stemming from these genetically altered crops. There are three main reasons why I support the use of genetically engineered crops. I think genetically altered crops can have fewer negative impacts on the e nvironment, increase farmers' profits through increased yields, and pose no major health risks to consumers. The two types of crops I will focus most of my attention on are corn reistant to the European corn borer and "Roundup" herbicide resistant soybeans. Monsanto, along with other companies, has developed corn varieties to resist European corn borer infestations. The gene inserted in these crops is called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt is a natural bacterium in the soil that produces a protein to disrupt the digestive systems of targeted pests (Monsanto Crossroads). This same gene is also used in varieties of cotton to protect against the tobacco budworm, cotton bollworm, and pink bollworm, and in potato varieties... ...'s Next For Designer Seeds?" Top Producer. Jan. 1997: 32- 34. Keller, Des, Del Deterling, Earl Manning. "Biotech Bushels." Progressive Farmer Midwest. Jan. 1997: 16-18. Klintberg, Patricia Peak. "The Summit of Our Discontent." Farm Journal. Jan. 1997: 36-37. "Making the World's Food Better." Monsanto Crossroads. http://www.monsanto.com/MonPub/InTheNews/BioBrochure/Better.html (18 Nov.1997). "Responses to Questions Raised and Statements Made By Environmental/Consumer Groups and Other Critics of Biotechnology and Roundup Ready Soybeans." Soybean Responses. http://www.monsanto.com/MonPub/InTheNews/Articles/97-04-21SoybeanResponse.html (18 Nov. 1997). "Sandoz Seeds Receives Marketing Approval For Insect-Tolerant Corn (Maize) In the United States." Sandoz Press Release. http://www.novartis.com/textsite/media/releases/Sandoz96/aug06.html (18 Nov. 1997)

Why do females migrate to work as maids? Essay -- Immigration, Domesti

Why do females migrate to work as maids? In general woman will migrate to work as domestic workers for one of three reason. (i) limited or no jobs in their country of origin (ii) the income in there country of origin is not enough to sustain there family; and (iii) to get away from a volatile family situation. Women see working as a maid in another country as way to solve these problems and ways to support there families back home. However the question has arisen once these women from lesser developed nations arrive in the rich developed nations does working as a ‘maid’ offer greater independence or does it just lead to more oppression and exploitation? This essay will demonstrate using the United Sates of America and the United Arab Emirates as a case study,that there is no conclusive answer to the question posed; rather it depends on the country and the individual circumstances of each person. Does the employment offer them greater independence in the US? Domestic workers experience in the United Sates varies dramatically depending on the visa-status of women and the work arrangements in place for the domestic worker. In general Live in maids in the US are the most devoid of independence and control of their lives, and often work long hours without a day off. On the other hand live out domestic workers to some extent has more independence and freedom of their lives, but this is dependent on the worker being legally allowed to work and remain in the US. The common conception of a ‘live-out’ maid is that they are empowered and have control of lives, however in the US some women working as ‘maids’ are objectified and treated as commodity to be sold at auction. May women are exploited through labor agencies in the ... ...hem to help their families back home and improve their own financial situation. Another benefit from working in the UAE is that generosity is a social value within the UAE. Employers give tips to their employees, give them money to buy gifts and electronic once their contract ends for their families back home, and the domestic workers get to travel over summer with their employer (ilo report p.34). It could be argued that domestic workers in the UAE do have some sense of agency like the workers in the US, but no where near the same extent. Arguable the domestic workers have agency due to the fact that they had a choice whether or not to go work in UAE and they independently earning money for there family. Nevertheless they lack agency in terms of their freedom of movement thought and sexuality since they are ‘enslaved’ to their employer to the end of their contract.

The Truth About Sharks

Yes, the dialogue was realistic which presented the realistic view of family relationships. For examples, Beth’s mum asked her to go shopping and wash the dog. Also, Beth must go to her uncle’s party that she really didn’t want to go but her mum required to go. It’s a typical view of family relationships as the son and daughter always need to listen to their parents, they don’t even have any freedoms. For me, my mum is the typical mother too. She always force me to do the thing she wants, like she asked me to study in Canada despite I truly wanted to stay in Hong Kong. What a ridiculous! Also, she is annoying too. I’m seventeen now so I’m not a kid anymore, I know what I should do or shouldn’t, but she would still ask me to sleep when it is 11p.m. only or tell me this vegetables and that vegetables are healthy but she never know I don’t like vegetables. I think she did a good job. She complained about Madge not because of the $650 gift certificate only, was because Madge offended her self-esteem. For example, she was humiliated by Madge since Madge asked her to take off the pants. I think she was a typical young adult because she had strong self-esteem, for the typical young adults, they regard money as a very important thing, just like Beth, she would try to up the price of gift certificate. Firstly, since Beth didn’t take off her pants and then walked toward other section of pants, so Madge Groton misconstrued that she wanted to steal the pants. Secondly, she had seen many kids doing this before, hence she didn’t believe what Beth’s explanation. Lastly, she wanted to do her job and she enjoyed her power of ordering the people she caught. If I were Madge Groton, I would definitely listen to Beth’s explanation since I wouldn’t know she was innocent or not. You weren’t willing to attack by the shark, you didn’t want that happen. Similarly, Beth didn’t want to accuse falsely by Madge. I think it was not a bad analogy, Madge was like a shark which meant she was cold-blooded, she ignored what Beth said and she still want to ‘eat’ her. And Beth just liked a little small fish or an innocent swimmer that couldn’t evade from the shark as it was more powerful. I think Beth was almost adequately compensated for the injustice. She could embrace the budget-free shopping, but the $650 gift certificate wasn’t enough as it wasn’t equaled to the future of Beth, she was nearly sentenced to the jail. Also, Beth won the self-esteem back from the Madge’s apology because that arrogant security guard thought she had caught the shoplifter correctly. She got empowerment on her face that money could not buy which made her feel confident.

Marriage vs Civil Unions Essay

Gay marriage is a controversial and often heated topic in American society and often so elsewhere throughout the world. Homosexual behavior is not new. Homosexual behavior and the homosexual lifestyle have been around throughout recorded history, certainly for thousands of years, in fact, was socially condoned in some societies. In Ancient armies, it was often accepted because a man was more apt to fight for a lover than for a casual acquaintance. For example, unlike today’s military, in Ancient Greece, homosexual relationships between soldiers were viewed as a means to intensify the fighting spirit of the soldiers and strengthen the bond between them. (Burg et al. , 2002) Only recently did interest in issues of sexual orientation move from the realm of the social sciences into other areas of science. Freud believed that there was some degree of bisexuality in all humans (Bell and Weinberg, 1978). He and other psychologists of his time believed that homosexuality could be explained by the experiences a person had while growing up, thus focusing on environmental explanations for homosexual behavior. Psychologists once pursued the study of homosexuality in an effort to prove that it was an abnormal behavior, but such studies have now led researchers to conclude that homosexuality is somehow linked to the individual experiences and environment a person has while growing up. While this may be the general view of homosexuality in psychology, my experiences with homosexuals are not consistent with this view. The few individuals I’ve known who were homosexual coexisted in the same environment as everyone around them, but their homosexual tendencies were obvious throughout their lives. Today we realize that if environment plays a role in homosexual tendencies, environment is not the entire explanation. Now we know that genetics and biology also play a role. No matter what biological and genetic studies show, there can be little doubt that opponents of gay marriage and the gay lifestyle will only accept that the gay marriage is some kind of sickness or perverted behavior. While homosexual behavior is obviously out of the norm, there is no scientific research or evidence to suggest that is it either perverted or abnormal. Despite what opponents might claim, our view of homosexuals and our denying them the right to marry is no more than a form of discrimination—irrational, illegal, biased and illogical. Regardless as to how a person views same sex marriage, there is no rational or logical reason to ban it or to discriminate against it except for personal preference/choice. Genetic Studies, Biology and Environment It is important to consider the biology and genetics behind homosexual behavior. If people insist that homosexual behavior is a matter of personal choice when evidence exists to demonstrate genetic and biological factors are involved, their insistence shows and irrational bias against homosexuals based on prejudice and discrimination. Today, most researchers view that a person’s sexual orientation is dictated by a combination of environmental, biological and psychological factors. Recent studies suggest that both biology and genetics play a role in homosexual behavior. Studies suggest that a genetic factor passed from mother to son might contribute to homosexuality in men and that male homosexuality might have a very different genetic influence from female homosexuality. (Pattatucci et al, 1995, Bailey et al. , 2000) Studies of homosexuality in families and between twins suggest that male and female sexual orientation may not have the same genetic influences. (Bailey et al. , 2000) Animal studies reveal that sexual orientation can be influenced by altering the hypothalamus. (Cherry & Baum, 1990), Much of the available genetic data on homosexual behavior suggests that biological and genetic factors are involved. Some studies have focused on X chromosome since males have an XY chromosome and females have an XX chromosome. One study concluded that the gene that influences homosexual behavior is carried by the mother. Heterosexual females appear to pass the Xq28 gene sequence on the X chromosome to their sons. (see below, Hamer et al, 1993) This study focused on homosexual males, and thus, their findings may not be a reflection on homosexual females. When the results of genetics studies are taken together, the most reasonable conclusion is that genetics can account for at least 50 percent of a person’s sexual orientation. In general, genetic studies of homosexuality demonstrate that homosexual behavior and the homosexual condition is a result of genes. When male homosexuals were studied, the data of one study demonstrated that most of the homosexual men arose from a genetic factor that was passed down from mother to son. (Hamer et al, 1993) Dean Hamer of the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D. C. discovered that homosexual brothers are more than heterosexual brothers to inherit the same genetic sequence, referred to as Xq28, on a region of the X chromosome. This suggests that genetics are involved in homosexual behavior although only a region on a gene, not a specific gene, has been identified. The degree of gene influence is unclear. Studies of twins and also of the adoptive brothers of homosexual men reveal a relationship between genetics and homosexual behavior. (Bailey and Pillard, 1991) Thus, the evidence suggests that genetics and biology rather than environment or personal choice gives rise to homosexual behavior and the homosexual condition. Other studies have demonstrated anatomical differences between components of the brain structures of heterosexual and homosexual males. (LeVay, 1991) These are important considerations when we begin to look at the legal questions surrounding homosexual behavior. Thus, discriminating against gay individuals is just as irrational, irresponsible and illegal (or should be just as illegal) as discriminating against an individual on the basis of the color of his or her skin. Furthermore, it should be easier to decide the legality of mistreating people on the basis of the sexual preference than on the basis of their religious preference since religious preference is a matter of personal choice rather than genes. Why, then, is it illegal to discriminate against an individual on the basis of their religion while the legal issues surrounding homosexual behavior are often viewed as unclear? While there may be compelling reasons to favor heterosexual unions over gay marriages, there is actually no unbiased reason to forbid gay marriages. In fact, even favoring heterosexual marriages is a form of discrimination similar to favoring whites over other races. Certainly, the heterosexual situation constitutes the â€Å"normal† or â€Å"typical† interaction between sexes, but considering that biological and genetic studies demonstrate that homosexual situations are dictated by actual biological and genetic factors, there is no rational reason to view such unions as â€Å"unnatural† or â€Å"abnormal†. We cannot even say with certainty that they are an abnormality as much as a biologically dictated variation, not necessarily even rare, just different. While we can â€Å"prefer† heterosexual marriage over gay marriage as a society, there is no rational reason to deny gay marriage or to restrict homosexual individuals to civil unions while denying them a typical marriage (as will be discussed) other than bias. Although theories exist to suggest that environment contributes to and influences the gay lifestyle, it is not clear how this could be true. For example, if biology and genetics contribute to â€Å"at least 50 percent† of gay behavior, why is it that a homosexual male or female raised in the same environment with a heterosexual male or female gives rise to one homosexual individual and one or more (generally a host) of heterosexual individuals? If the environment helped to cause the homosexual behavior, why aren’t there more homosexuals in that environment? To my knowledge, this question has never been addressed or even asked. Likewise with Freud’s idea that childhood experiences contribute to homosexual behavior. While no two individuals have the same childhood experiences, in part because everyone responds differently to the same experiences and environment, two individuals treated the same and raised in the same environment does not lead one to conclude that the differences in their behavior is caused by their childhood experiences or their environment. Biological factors, genetics and internal psychological factors must play a significantly more crucial role in their behavior than do environment and/or childhood experiences. Marriage vs. Civil Union Now that we have briefly reviewed the biological and genetic data to suggest that homosexuality is a genetic and biological condition, at least in part, rather than a matter of personal choice, we are more prepared to consider the legal factors involved with this issue. In states where marriage is allowed between same sex couples, the individuals involved are generally placed on an uneven playing field. Even though they may be allowed to join in a legal union, they are restricted to a civil union rather than a legally recognized marriage. What is the difference and why is this distinction yet another example of social discrimination? Today, gay couples may unite in civil unions but such unions differ from the marriage granted to heterosexuals in a number of crucial ways. Although a civil union grants many rights that would be denied without it, it fails to grant hundreds of others. Furthermore, marriage is universally recognized everywhere while civil unions are not. Civil unions fail to resolve many financial matters, tax issues, insurance concerns, pension protection, Medicaid and even matters such as filing and filling our forms. Another concern arises if those joined in a civil union desire to dissolve their union. They have no means to legally terminate their union unless they live in a state that recognizes it. In fact, at present, only Vermont qualifies for this termination. A Vermont law states that â€Å"Parties to a civil union shall have all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under law, whether they derive from statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage. † One must wonder why there is a need to make such a statement. If there is no discrimination based on sexual orientation, there certainly is no need for this added point of clarification in the law, so obviously, something is amiss. Much of the controversy about and distinction between â€Å"marriage† and â€Å"civil union† boils down to religious issues. In general, Christians are against gay marriage. Therefore, at some level, the issue also involves religious issues and the separation between church and state, religion and politics. While gay marriage is an issue that Christians feel goes against the principles of the Bible, other religions use other holy books and, as a result, do not base their opinions on or form their ideas from the Bible. Although the legal view is that there are no substantial differences in the treatment of a marriage and a civil union, each represents a separate legal category with significant, sometimes glaring differences that only become of concern when they matter the most. While the U. S. Constitution requires legal equality for all regardless of sexual orientation, among other factors, that legal equality exists largely on paper rather than in fact. Clearly, those individuals forced into civil unions rather than typical marriages are not on even playing ground. Civil Unions are a step forward, but they fall short of being satisfactory. Our present approach to force gay couples into civil unions rather than true marriage, perhaps, is as unjust as the former laws that denied interracial marriage. In order to give gay couples true rights, laws must eliminate the idea of civil unions and allow gay couples to form true marriage so as to give them all of the rights and privileges recognized in marriage. We cannot continue to tolerate â€Å"civil unions† as the satisfactory answer to granting unions between individuals who desire to live as a couple. Just as we moved away from banning interracial marriage, we need to move away from banning gay marriage. We have only emotional and no rational reasons to do otherwise. We have pointed out above that if the biological factors, genetics and internal psychological factors play any role at all in homosexual behavior, that role must be relatively trivial. Therefore, discriminating against gay individuals in any manner such as by relegating them to civil unions rather than allowing them to unite in true marriage, for example, is nothing more than unjustified discrimination and bias just as unjust as denying interracial marriage. We must move away from this and other unfair treatments and practices. Continuing to insist that homosexual behavior arises from environment, childhood experiences or personal choice with that belief but no supporting evidence even though there is clear evidence to the contrary is nothing more than further bias and discrimination against homosexuals. While homosexual behavior is clearly different from the norm, there is no real evidence that it is abnormal any more than being black in a society that is 12 percent black and 88 percent white and other means that blacks are abnormal. Faulty logic in the absence of supporting evidence does not justify, prove or support an incorrect conclusion.

A Separte Peace Essay Essay Research Paper

A Separte Peace Essay Essay, Research Paper In life, historical events frequently play an of import function in a individual s life. Many times people can drastically hold a alteration of sentiment over dark. In A Separate Peace, the whole ambiance at the Devon School changed as World War II progressed. The male childs either thirstily awaited bill of exchange, preferred to enlist in the country of war they wanted, or did non desire to travel at all. The pupils at the school were forced to make activities for enjoyment since old 1s could non be played because of deficiency of stuffs. When a friend returns from the war, the male childs at Devon got a existent sense of what the war was like. The male childs learned that traveling to war was non all merriment and games like they had anticipated. The influence World War II had on the characters in A Separate Peace and life at the Devon School, was clearly depicted through their actions and activities. The beginning of the novel allows the reader to acquire a feel of what the Devon School was like during that clip period. Students of war age were invariably go forthing Devon to travel to the war, either by pick or by bill of exchange. Whether childs wanted to travel or non, the expectancy was ever present. As winter approached the Devon school, so was the infringing shadow of the war. The male childs were called out to assist shovel free a troop train trapped by snow-blocked paths. The experience # 8220 ; brings the war place # 8221 ; for all of them, and they realized they would hold to confront a important determination really shortly. Maturity leaps upon them, whether they # 8217 ; re ready for it or non, at the stamp age of 17. The exhilaration of the war had gotten to everybody at the school, including the staff, and made it a helter-skelter topographic point. The male childs were able to acquire away with disobeying the regulations. Many pupils cut category, and left schoo l evidences frequently and were non penalized. When Leper returned from the war the male childs realized that take parting in the war wasn t all merriment and games, and that a batch of bad things happened. When Leper told Gene how he had been discharged on charges of insanity, Gene blew up at Leper. Gene had thought the war was a good topographic point, and the impression of a Section Eight Discharge was non what he wanted to hear. It wholly ruined Gene s ideas and his hopes. Gene was wholly set on enlisting in the ground forces, to see what so many other s were sing, until Leper informed him of the war s negative facets. Leper, more defeated than anyone, did non portion his ground for returning place with everyone. He was ashamed, and did non desire to portion the horrors of war with everyone. Scarcity of popular stuffs made it hard for the male childs at Devon to go on with some normal activities. Finny, the athletic male child he was, made up Blitzball, a game named after the celebrated Blitzkrieg ( a German war maneuver ) . The game of class was successful in maintaining the male childs busy. Along with athletic creative activities, the male childs started a nine called The Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session, a nine which about six male childs signed up for. The nine met about every dark, and had particular inductions for the members. The nine was designed to give the male childs something to make because they were unable to take part in the regular things they did. The male childs at Devon were non holding the same sort of school twelvemonth that they had had in the yesteryear. Partially because of an interuption in their day-to-day lives. World War II had a strong influence on life in the novel A Separate Peace. The writer displays the influence through the character s actions and activities. The pupils at the Devon School were overwhelmed with the thought of war, and were thirstily expecting their going to an country of it. However, when a good friend returned from the war with a different thought of how it was, the male childs rethought their avidity. The male childs were forced to do up games and such to take part in to maintain them occupied when they weren t perusal. This novel showed that like with other major historical events, war can wholly change a manner of life, altering everything from personalities to activities.

Higher Education in Qatar Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Higher Education in Qatar - Research Paper Example The Sheik is a capable man eager to set the state in continuous motion of self-independence and sustainability in the future should the oil and gas become extinct. In this case, the generation thus created will be able to stand on its feet and enhance innovation through education (Fromherz, 2012). Not only is this the main factor and project, but also the principal transformation through policies geared to motivate research and technology in production sectors. The country being limited by the amount of rainfall cannot thus depend on agriculture, but has come up to be a rich mine of the gas and oil which are the main sources of per capita income and which has now been used to better the education sector in order to raise a generation that can fend for itself in the near future. Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016 was implemented towards the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030. The Vision aims to create sustainable economic prosperity, promote human development, creati ng a sound social development and sustaining the environment for future generations (Zellman, 2007). The national strategy is one of the key issues that take into consideration the cultural and religious values of the state with an overall mission of providing a balanced and sustainable growth by the year 2030 (Davis, 2012). Among the key elements that the government factored to be used as a tool for sustainable development was education which was to be made available to all citizen and foreigners cheaply (Boys, 2011). To achieve continuous modernization requires the development of the education system and public institutions which aim at providing quality management and services to the general... Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016 was implemented towards the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030. The Vision aims to create sustainable economic prosperity, promote human development, creating a sound social development and sustaining the environment for future generations (Zellman, 2007). The national strategy is one of the key issues that take into consideration the cultural and religious values of the state with an overall mission of providing a balanced and sustainable growth by the year 2030(Davis, 2012).Among the key elements that the government factored to be used as a tool for sustainable development was education which was to be made available to all citizen and foreigners cheaply(Boys, 2011). To achieve continuous modernization requires the development of the education system and public institutions which aim at providing quality management and services to the general public. The aim of the National Strategy is also to highlight the key areas to address t he position of the state in global economic trends and clearly state the roles to be played to enhance both regional and international levels of production. Chapter four of the strategy provides for the human development and highlights the critical issues with regard to education. The main focus here is to realize Qatar National Vision 2030 for education and training, addressing education issues, improving K-12 general education, enhancing higher education, as well as scientific research.

Wells Fargo & Company Bank Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Wells Fargo & Company Bank - Term Paper Example Wells Fargo & Company is â€Å"a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the Internet across North America and internationally. It is headquartered in San Francisco but has been decentralized so that every all our customers’ financial needs are satisfied. It has $1.3 trillion in assets and approximately 280,000 team members across our 80 plus businesses; ranked fourth in assets and second in market value of our stock among our U.S. peers as of December 31, 2010† (wellsfargo.com).Wells Fargo & Company is â€Å"a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the Internet across North America and internationally. It is headquartered in San Francisco but has been decentralized so that every all our custome rs’ financial needs are satisfied. It has $1.3 trillion in assets and approximately 280,000 team members across our 80 plus businesses; ranked fourth in assets and second in market value of our stock among our U.S. peers as of December 31, 2010† (wellsfargo.com). Wells Fargo has a good financial background and reputation over the years by exhibiting stability and permanence.In fact, in 2010, â€Å"Fortune has ranked Wells Fargo in 19th place in Revenue Among All Companies in All Industries and the World’s 39th Most Admired Company.... The first banking and express office opened in the gold rush port of San Francisco, and Wells Fargo’s trustworthy agents soon moved into other mining camps and settlements† (wellfargo.com). â€Å"Wells Fargo agents provided essential banking services, reliable transportation of gold and goods, and dependable mail delivery across the frontier. They purchased gold dust, took deposits and offered convenient and safe transport of money over long distances. Merchants used Wells Fargo checks to send payments to suppliers, while miners and business owners especially liked reliable mail delivery by Wells Fargo’s letter express. Wells Fargo sent gold, mail and express shipments by the fastest means possible stagecoach, steamship, railroad or Pony Express. According to one newspaper editor, â€Å"it has been the universal business agent of the entire region from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.† Its trademark is a stagecoach pulled by a six-horse team was t he symbol of frontier commerce. In 1858, Wells Fargo helped finance and operate the nation’s first regularly scheduled long-distance stage line. Stagecoaches of the Overland Mail Company, known as the Butterfield line, after company president John Butterfield, carried mail and passengers on a three-week journey between Missouri and California, by way of Texas and the Southwest† (wellsfargo.com) Wells Fargo-Wachovia Merger In order to infuse more capital to intensify its service to existing and future customers, Wells Fargo entered into a Merger Agreement with Wachovia. â€Å"The integration of Wells Fargo is the largest, most complex banking merger in U.S. history. This merger ensures added earnings and capital growth for the