Abstract This paper provides background information on genetic engineering and then delves into a consideration of the ethical and moral issues concerning this technology. Next, the paper describes some of the benefits of potential applications of genetic engineering and refutes the main arguments presented by those who oppose genetic engineering.
From the Paper "Genetic engineering and cloning have played important roles in agriculture for many generations. Bananas and seedless grapes, for example, are, quite literally, living genetic clones (Krock, 2001). Prior to the last decade of the 20th Century, human cloning was purely a subject of science fiction, but by the dawn of the 21st Century,
researchers had already cloned several mammals successfully."
Abstract The paper presents a look at the catalog controversy of Abercrombie and Fitch sporting company. The first offensive catalog was said to make drunk driving and underage drinking acceptable. The next few catalogs became 'raunchier', with over 45 nude images in the first 120 pages. The paper examines the controversy surrounding the catalog and the company's response.
From the Paper "In the event that Abercrombie had not done away with the racy quarterly, there could have been a few options they could have considered before publication. First, is the nudity needed? They are, after all a clothing company. Why buy clothes if you are not going to wear them? A&F's mission states that ?not only do we sell clothes, but we promote a lifestyle,? (www.abercrombie.com) Not many people would call group sex and nonstop nudity a "lifestyle". There could still be very tasteful sexy photos with partial nudity. Less nudity would definitely bring less controversy."
Abstract This paper discusses the pre-conception gender selection techniques along with some other means of choosing the gender of the unborn child and explains how this has come under severe criticism because of the ethical issues raised. The paper contends that this problem is more pronounced in traditional societies of China and India. The paper reviews the beliefs of ethicist John Fletcher who claims that new gender selection techniques result from abuse of advanced medical technology.
From the Paper "History attests to the fact that couples from Royal families down to rural peasants have shown preference for a male child leading to numerous problems for the girl child and creating a sex ratio imbalance in some traditional societies. When preference for a male child is more pronounced and obvious, any method that can allow a couple to choose the gender of their unborn child is likely to create tremendous potential for gender discrimination and sex-ratio imbalance. Sex-selection or gender-selection as it is commonly known as is one such method that threatens to put female children at risk of being outnumbered by their male counterparts. The pre-conception gender selection techniques along with some other means of choosing the gender of the unborn child has come under severe criticism because of the ethical issues they raise."
Abstract This paper explains that Wal-Mart, in the search for cheaper goods, aggressively pushes its suppliers to cut wholesale cost, causing factory jobs to move from one poverty-stricken nation to another and failing to meet the labor standards set by human and labor rights activists and yet attained by other prominent companies. The author points out that, although Wal-Mart provides job opportunity, lower prices, and quality of products, it has a negative effect on a community because the smaller retail companies and companies that provide employee benefits can not compete with its prices. The paper states that the only hope that this economic community can recover from the "Wal-Mart effect" is in the negotiation of benefits for Wal-Mart workers and better treatment of its 'third-world? employees.
Table of Contents
Statement of Thesis
Introduction
Negative Effect: Violations of Human and Worker Rights and Unfair Labor Practices
Positive Effects of Wal-Mart: Job Opportunity, Lower Prices, Quality of Products
Conclusion
From the Paper "In other reports, Wal-Mart managers being pressured by the Main Office of Wal-Mart in Bentonville in terms of labor costs, were found guilty by an Oregon jury for coercing employees whose numbers were in the hundreds, to work overtime hours without receiving pay. Due to having been ridiculed in a broadcast of the company's report via in-house satellites the managers also were found guilty of tampering with time cards and bullying employees to work without clocking in. The report stated that although Wal-Mart had settled the cases in Oregon and Mexico there were still 40 plus cases coming up for trial against the company."
Abstract This paper attempts to show the connection between the writer's personal life and values and the values instilled in him by his corporate life at IBM. The paper explores the writer's childhood and discusses the important roles played by his mother and grandmother. The writer examines the positive influences his career at IBM had on his personal values and ethics.
From the Paper "Preppy, Wasp, Conservative?Republican. These are the adjectives frequently given to the upstate New York State culture from which I hail, so memorably depicted in the fiction of Joyce Carol Oates, herself a proud product of this "stock" and geographical region, as depicted in short stories such as "Where are you going, where do you come from"? Or the culture, one could add, so memorably satirized in Lisa Birnbach's The Official Preppy Handbook, although I like to think that the New York working class WASP culture has a slightly less noxious sense of entitlement than the New England WASPs the handbook chronicles. My own upbringing placed a strong stress upon hard work and core, American values, contrary to some of the attitudes expressed in the Guide as well."
Abstract The moral and constitutional issues surrounding physician-assisted suicide are extensively debated. This paper discusses that, if physician-assisted suicide is to become part of standard medical practice in the United States, there is a need to resolve the difficulties associated with its practical application. It explains that professional societies would need to cooperate to develop practice guidelines for physician-assisted suicide. Individual physicians will need to sort out for themselves what their personal positions will be and how their practice and referrals will be affected. It explains that professional education efforts that address palliative care options and reliable prescribing information would be essential. Physician-assisted suicide is a just and ethical act. It concludes that everyone who is suffering from a terminal illness has right to be free from pain and to die with dignity.
From the Paper "All persons have a moral right to choose freely what they will do with their lives as long as they inflict no harm on others. This right of free choice includes the right to end one's life when we choose. For most people, the right to end one's life is a right they can easily exercise, but there are many who want to die, but whose disease, handicap, or condition renders them unable to end their lives in a dignified manner. When such people ask for assistance in exercising their right to die, their wishes should be respected. Using egoism, the utilitarian code of ethics, and Thiroux's system of humanitarian ethics we can see if physician-assisted suicide is either ethical or non-ethical."
Abstract The paper introduces and explains the concept of ethical hacking and questions whether such a concept can exist. A vast number of arguments are put forward to claim that ethical hacking is ethical at all costs.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction to Hacking
II. What Is Ethical Hacking?
III. Is Ethical Hacking Ethical?
IV. Conclusion
From the Paper "The likely to explode expansion of the Internet has brought about many good things. As with the largest part of scientific move on, there is also a dark side: criminal hackers and hacking. Hacking is a term which can be defined as the unlawful draw on, or tries to get out of or find a way around the mechanisms of safety measures of an information system or network. It can easily be defined as the, unauthorized access to a computer, its files and programs. Hacking indicates the illegal accessing of other people's computer systems for destroying, disrupting or carrying out illegal activities on the network or computer systems. It is the, "original term referred to learning programming languages and computer systems; now associated with the process of bypassing the security systems on a computer system or network" (Cyber Crime glossary)."
Abstract This paper discusses the many legal and ethical questions that surround stem cell research. The paper examines the controversial aspect of whether or not it is moral to create human embryos for research. The paper contends that many believe that stem cell research is a blatant form of disregard for human life. Supporters, however, argue that embryos are not human yet and should be used because they are vital to further research. The paper explores the various legislative issues regarding stem cell research and the effect this legislation has on funding of the research.
From the Paper "Embryonic stem cell research is a very promising field of research when it comes to possibly finding a cure for more than 70 diseases once deemed incurable (Honolulu Advertiser, 2004). From spinal cord injuries, to Parkinson's, to certain types of cancers, to multiple sclerosis, stem cell research has the potential to emerge as a revolutionary way to combat these diseases. The key behind embryonic stem cells is its ability to develop into just about any type of tissue. Adult stem cells can only renew themselves into the type of tissue from which it originates, making adult stem cells much less effective than embryonic ones."
Abstract This paper presents the history of the death penalty in the United States. The paper examines what types of crimes receive the death penalty and whether the death penalty is an effective deterrent. The paper discusses the international community's opinion about the death penalty. The paper also explores the option of an effective alternative to the death penalty that the U.S. can adapt.
From the Paper "Usually only the most severe crimes are punished by death. However, the definition of severe crimes varies with the historical time, the culture of the country applying it, its economical situation etc. However, people often see this issue very differently, depending on their character. For instance, "The governor of Massachusetts has announced his intention to restore the death penalty. He has set up a commission to devise legislation that would guard against any possibility of executing an innocent defendant. He would recommend capital punishment for only three types of crime: those associated with terrorism; those involving the killing of police officers, prosecutors, judges, or trial witnesses; and "heinous" crimes, defined as multiple killings or murders done with extreme brutality." (The Fight to Kill)"
Abstract This paper examines the growing interest on the part of employees of working for ethical businesses. The paper first defines ethics; it then deciphers the differences between ethics and moral values, identifies the author's own personal ethics and how he came to arrive at those ethics, and then explores the implications of ethics in his decision-making processes.
From the Paper "I work under two major codes of personal ethics, and many times they intersect with one another. I have a professional code and a family code. My codes are not an optional extra like the electric windows on my car. Practicing those ethics is not something I would do if there were no other burning matters. It is the way I try to do everything. Ethics are a necessity, not a luxury. My ethics are rooted in my upbringing and my religion. From a very young age, I learned about the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and from that I was able to decipher the differences between right and wrong based on those teachings. This lent itself to the establishment of my personal code of ethics. Things like lying, cheating, stealing, and respect for my parents, friends and family are included in that code."
Abstract This paper discusses the value of an ethical code of behavior for corporations and points out that when employees behave morally and ethically, the corporation is more likely to function as an ethical business, and morale will be higher amongst the employees. In contrast, the paper notes that when employees do not conduct themselves in an ethical manner, the corporation and the employees suffer negative consequences.
From the Paper "Except in a rapacious game of 'Monopoly,' and perhaps not even then-for even the most basic game operates according to a series of rules and fair play-a corporation must function inside a societal and legal environment of constraints. When one individual transgresses, it is tempting to look the other way. It is easy, when one sees someone making theft of company time, office supplies, or committing other ethical lapses to tell one's self that this does not matter, so long as one does one's job. I did so myself once and paid a heavy price."
Abstract This paper contends that people should be held responsible for any crime of murder they commit, except in self-defense, regardless of whether or not they are insane. It also argues that those who are acquitted on the basis of insanity should still receive a the requisite prison sentence, which they would serve in a mental institution under treatment with no chance of release until they have served the full term and are determined to have been cured.
From the Paper "Both the law and psychology recognize the mental condition of insanity and define it. According to its psychological definition, insanity refers to a condition in which people take action on the basis of "irresistible impulse" (Fass). In other words, insane people do not have the ability to control themselves and act an understanding of the consequences of their actions or their significance. Thus, a person guilty of murder but who makes an insanity plea is actually saying that he murdered either because he did not understand what he was doing, or could not control his desire to murder. The legal definition for insanity agrees with the psychological one."
Abstract This paper discusses the stock market collapse of 2002. The paper examines the lack business ethics that led to this debacle. The paper contends that changing the structural rules, restitution for shareholders, and punishment for wrong-doing will restore corporate ethics and public trust. The paper explains, however, that too much effort is placed on disclosure, rather than eliminating unethical conduct.
From the Paper "Analysts work in an environment with many inherent conflicts of interest that challenge their objectivity. Providing investment banking services, such as underwriting an initial public offering or advising clients on mergers or acquisitions, can be a lucrative source of revenue for full-service investment firms (Report on analyst conflicts of interest, 2003). Sell-side analysts at these firms may be inhibited from making statements or publishing research reports that could jeopardize existing or potential client relationships. With regards to proprietary trading, conflicts of interest may arise where a firm trades, for its own account or for clients, securities of companies covered by the firm's analysts. Because research recommendations often impact the price of securities, analysts may produce favorable reports and recommendations in an attempt to maintain or boost the value of the securities held by the firm, or its clients."
Abstract This paper discusses the fact that ethical standards in business have been on a sharp decline over the past couple of decades. It links this disturbing trend to the decline in societal moral standards in American society and looks at how others argue that degrading ethics in business is simply capitalism taking over what is normally considered as morally just. The paper contends that, whether it is simply greed gone awry or a general decline of ethics in society, the fact remains the same, ethical standards in business are declining and are reflected in the declining social responsibilities of businesses, the legal ramifications, and the government's responses to the lack of business ethics.
From the Paper "No matter what the root cause of the decline in business ethics, the simple fact remains that over the last ten to twenty years, there has been a serious decline. Small business professionals surveyed in 2000 noted several indicators of these declining ethical standards. It was discovered that many of the respondents to the survey had the most ethical conflicts when it came to dealing with contracts and agreements between themselves and their customers or their employees (Vitell et al., 2000). These same survey respondents were in agreement that the ethical standards of business were lower than two decades ago. A majority felt that these lower ethical standards were related to lower moral standards in society, in general. And they noted that it was top management that had the most influence on how ethical dilemmas were handled (Vitell et al., 2000). From this, one can conclude that it is management that has the social responsibility to conduct themselves and their business in the most ethical ways possible, for their actions are reflexive on society."
Abstract This paper provides a media analysis on racial profiling. The paper examines four different perspectives of racial profiling. The life of the racially profiled individual is discussed, followed by the view of the public official. The paper explores the perspective of the law enforcement official and concludes with an overview of the role of the media. The paper presents statistics to illustrate the occurrence of racial profiling throughout society.
From the Paper "According to amnesty international, "Racial profiling occurs when race is used by law enforcement or private security officials, to any degree, as a basis for criminal suspicion in non-suspect specific investigations." According to the report, "when law enforcement uses race, religion, country of origin, and ethnic or religious appearance as a proxy for criminal suspicion it undermines national security. Furthermore the report states that nearly 32 million people in the United States have been victims and their lives impacted by racial profiling. Statistics published online at the PBS Website in a report entitled "Racial Profiling" provided the following statistics in relation to Traffic Stops and subsequent searches on the part of law enforcement officers as to those in the racial groups of black, white and Hispanic drivers."
