Abstract This paper discusses how climate governs the entire ecological structure of the planet earth. The author examines how climate, in relation to the topography and latitudinal location, determines the vegetative types, the hydrology, soil, agriculture and various human activities.
From the Paper ?Climate represents a long term average of various weather features such as temperature and precipitation. The World Meteorological Organization uses 30-year averages to define climatological "normals" for these various features. Climate determines how resources such as water and vegetation are distributed and, until the onset of technology, climate also determined where people lived and worked. Many factors, such as topography, proximity to large bodies of water, and latitude affect a particular location's long-term climate. It is important to note that because a region's climatology is a 30-year average, significant year to year variability is likely. For example, a particular location may have a dry, warm winter one year and a record snowfall the next year.?
Abstract The paper shows how stem cell research has quickly made its way into the media headlines and is among one of the most controversial subjects in America today. The debate on whether or not to use stem cells for research is a scientific one, but it has also become a political question, as well. The paper explores the ongoing conflict between pro-life advocates who feel that the moral costs of the research far outweigh any potential benefits and the scientists, who see the possibilities of research as awe-inspiring and bewildering - and yet no one denies the moral dilemma of the stem cell debate.
From the Paper "Women who are having abortions are obviously pro-choice, and most likely believe that human personhood begins much later in pregnancy. They probably see the killing of surplus embryos to be acceptable morally, especially if it offers so many potential benefits to the advancement of mankind. What would happen to these stem cells if they were not donated to research? The answer is nothing. The abortion already happened. The stem cells are ready for use but if not donated, they would go to waste."
Abstract The first part of this paper traces the recent and forecasted implementation of therapeutic cloning. The second part of the paper explores the ethical, legal and religious controversy in creating a human replication.
From the Paper "Advanced technology has allowed human to secure the genetic information found on cells to generate the replication of organism's tissue and use it for cloning. Therapeutic cloning is believed to be the breakthrough in medical advancement to recover people with such disease and also develop tissue from the contained information of the genes in the stem cells that allow people to experience genetic defects correction and tissue or organ transplant. However, until now this issue has been in serious debate regarding the ethical, legal, and religious controversy in creating a human replication, which is against nature. As more consideration emerges, this debate is also carried out nationally and internationally, requiring more regulations applied for cloning research and application."
Tags: implementation, moral, debate, genetic, ethical, legal, religious
Abstract The paper shows that the nature versus nurture debate stems from the belief that people are influenced by their genes (nature) or solely from their environment (nurture). For years, scientists have argued on whether intelligence is determined purely through heredity or by upbringing. The paper discusses that while there may be conflicting evidence in this debate, one thing is certain - the younger generation is probably smarter than their elders with a nine-point lead in the IQ test. The paper examines theories by different specialists in the field on the subject.
From the Paper "In yet another example, it was found that pups and mother rates who licked, groomed and nursed their offspring had offspring that were not as afraid of their surroundings and were not as stressed by environmental factors. The interesting part of this study was that when the scientists simulated the loving behavior to the offspring of pups who were not themselves displaying the loving behavior, the pups would immediately learn to carry on the treatment to their young. They would, in fact learn to be loving and the offspring would pass the behavior on to future generations."
Abstract Plants have developed their own unique methods to protect themselves from threats and without these defenses would perish. These defenses range from natural defenses that plants have developed over time such as thorns or waxy leaves to bio-engineered defenses where the plants have molecularly altered defenses. This paper highlights the key plant defense mechanisms including structural, metabolic, defenses against insects, defenses against pathogens and disease resistant genes. It also examines biotechnology including case studies and discusses its future.
From the Paper "When an insect attacks a plant, the attack signals the plant to produce insect toxins. These toxins may have varying effects on insects. The effects may range from simply repelling inspects to inhibiting the insects development. The compound within plants that signals them to release the toxins is called systemin. Systemin activates two genes that in turn produce proteinase inhibitors. Insects use proteinase to digest proteins. When the plant releases the proteinase inhibitors, it prevents the insect's ability to digest the plant's proteins."
Abstract This paper discusses how Rachel Carson and Barbara McClintock,two of the most successful 20th century female scientists in the world often had their early work denigrated and ignored. Carson's work helped the world recognize the destructive and deadly powers of DDT and its relatives and helped establish the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dr. Barbara McClintock won a Nobel Prize in 1983, after more than fifty years of research in genetic transposition. This paper looks at how both women had difficulty finding decent positions and reaching acceptance from their peers and how female scientists today continue to make great strides in research and technology, but still have difficulty in being taken seriously by their colleagues.
From the Paper "She began writing as a way to make extra income to help support herself and her mother, and left the Bureau of Fishers in 1952 to devote herself to writing. She began studying the effects of pesticides on people and animals as early as 1945. "'The more I learned about the use of pesticides, the more appalled I became,' Carson recalled"(Matthiessen). She went on to write one of the most influential volumes of the decade, "Silent Spring," which vehemently condemned (with startling and graphic research as evidence) the use of pesticides in commercial and agricultural spraying for the control of insects. Her description of the total annihilation of songbird populations where spraying occurred is chilling even today."
Tags: jumping, genes, nobel, prize, research, pesticides, agricultural, chemical, industry
Abstract The paper describes how the HIV vaccine attacks the immune system with the T-Cells. Also, it discusses different types of vaccines and how they work along with leading causes of AIDS and how it has become an epidemic. It examines different forms of research and other attempts at creating a vaccine in the past.
From the Paper "Since the HIV epidemic began in the 1970?s, it is estimated that 22 million persons are infected with the virus that causes AIDS. There are 3 million new infections each year with 65 percent of these cases in developing countries. There is no cure for AIDS and the outlook for finding a cure is very bleak, therefore a preventive vaccine is urgently needed to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. It is important to remember that being HIV positive does not equate to having AIDS, however it is only a matter of time that the virus will progress to the disease."
Abstract The paper studies the history of natural selection, a process which takes place when individuals who are better developed than others in the species pass their genes on to their offspring. The paper explores how the theory was proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in 1858 and discusses the main ideas relating to the theory.
From the Paper "Natural Selection can occur is every species on the planet. Every thing in and around the world is somewhat is affected by it. Natural selection is the most advanced theory in evolution. Through time Natural selection has a big influence on all species. Through natural selection species are always adapting to the environment. It is like a domino effect. If the environment changes species adapt. The environment does not have to change for species to come more compatible with the environment. Species will always become better adapted to the surrounding area. They are always adapting to better fit their life, and make is easier for them to live. The process takes place when an individual who is better developed then others in the species pass their genes to their offspring. Offspring that evolve from the better parent's gene will also become more developed making the next generation even better adapted for the pacific environment. In turn the species 100 generations from now will be much different then present generations."
From the Paper "The Endocrinology of Infertility
The female and male reproductive systems share many similarities. Both are modulated by the effects of various hormones. Some of these include gonadotropin-releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Likewise, endocrine abnormalities in both females and males can result in reproductive system dysfunction. Among females, progesterone deficiency may cause infertility. In males, sterility can result from insufficient gonadotropins.
Human reproduction requires the complex interplay of multiple anatomic and physiologic systems. Various interactions between the central nervous system and the gonads determine the levels of various hormones. These endocrine signals provide a mechanism by which different reproductive system processes are..."
Abstract "The earth has evolved in geologic terms, but it has also evolved in terms of the life that teems upon it. All the change that can be seen and inferred has to be explained. The argument in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was divided into two camps, the catastrophists and the uniformitarianists.
From the Paper "The earth has evolved in geologic terms, but it has also evolved in terms of the life that teems upon it. All the change that can be seen and inferred has to be explained. The argument in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was divided into two camps, the catastrophists and the uniformitarianists. The catastrophists explained the changes by resorting to cosmic violence, to a succession of catastrophes that bring about change suddenly. The uniformitarianists saw the earth evolving in a uniform manner over time. Both groups agreed that catastrophes do play a role in the evolution of the earth and that catastrophes still occur to reshape portions of the earth's surface or to bring about biological changes in a relatively short time. However, this is different from holding that a ..."
Abstract This paper provides a scientific definition of stem cell research and explains how the process scientists wishing to extract the stem cells for research purposes. It then looks at the history of the controversy surrounding this form of research, by looking at laws and legislation passed by government committees over the past few decades. The moral arguments against this research are then presented and finally the stance for stem cell research is provided. The great scientific advantages are listed as well as the unlimited potential for cures and medical development.
From the Paper "The current restrictions on stem cell research in the United States hinder potential medical breakthroughs through the use of this technology. While opponents of genetic engineering and stem cell technologies make important points about the potential ethical consequences, the potential medical therapeutically value of such technologies is clearly undeniable."
Tags: ethics, moral, science, genetic, medical, potential, cure, government, law
Abstract This paper examines how human cloning has always been the source of serious debate, raising ethical issues that must not be overlooked. It argues how research and experiments push us toward the reality of cloning and how, in order to face this reality, we should hesitate and consider the effects cloning will have on society. It looks at how human cloning should be considered an unethical practice because, at this point, we cannot be sure of the repercussions and how it is not an exact science. It also puts forward the stance that it degrades humanity and how efforts are being made across the globe to create the first cloned human being without considering the grave consequences.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most important point of this debate is Dolly the sheep. Last year, Dolly died a premature death. According to New Scientist Magazine, Dolly suffered from ?arthritis - a condition that occurs most often in the elderly,? which suggests that Dolly "was aging prematurely" (New Scientist). Although it is still unclear whether cloning or genetics caused the arthritis, many believe it was the cloning. The New Scientist explains the specifics of Dolly's case. In Dolly, certain cells called telomeres were shorter than they should have been when compared to telomeres of other sheep her age. Trivial as it seems, it is important because she was cloned from a sheep that was six years old. In other words, Dolly might have been older than she looked."
Abstract This paper examines how human cloning has always stirred healthy debate and how philosophical theories regarding the issue of cloning range from the technological to the ethical. The value of human life is also juxtaposed with the benefits to those who are suffering. It looks at how some view cloning as an inevitable process that is bound to occur as society forges ahead into the next age of medical discovery, while others see the act of human cloning as a slippery slope that will lead to cloning for spare parts, thus removing the dignity of life itself.
From the Paper "When we consider these varying views, we discover that many philosophical viewpoints revolve around the issue of values. In other words, cloning devalues life because it degrades others as a means to our ends. John Kilner, in his essay, ?Human Cloning Would Violate Christian Ethics,? staunchly believes, "human cloning will cause the deaths of human beings"(Kilner 13). In short, the act of cloning, whether or not it saves live, devalues life itself. He asserts that because cloning is not yet a perfect science, many human embryos would be lost and therefore, the "cost is unacceptably high" (14). He grounds his argument on the ?277 failed attempts? (14) that took place before Dolly was cloned successfully."
Abstract This paper attempts to shed light on the "newest" platform on which creationists stand: intelligent design. The paper does this by first delineating the concept of creation and the new "scientific" explanation for creationism. The paper then goes on to point out the shortcomings of this new platform and concludes that, in reality, it is just a deliberate effort made by the creationists to veil their goals with a cloak of superficially scientific support.
From the Paper "The search for knowledge regarding the origin of humanity is about as old as its inhabitants. Since the early 1800's mankind has continually narrowed the debate down to two opposing ideologies: one of creation and one of evolution. Ever since this partition of ideas, science has been at odds with religion. Yet just as ironic as the debate itself, it appears as if these two conflicting views have attempted to settle their differences with the current prevailing argument. But a closer look into the recent creation/evolution debate reveals that indeed claims being made by present day creationists are still, at best, erroneous. Thus the purpose of this paper is to shed light on the "newest" platform on which creationist stand: Intelligent Design. In order to fully understand the claim that they make, we first must clearly delineate the often misrepresented concept of evolution. In doing so, one can unmask the falseness in which creationists seem to aimlessly wander."
