Abstract This paper examines the controversial debate over abortion in the United States, as well as the medical aspects of the procedure. The author discusses the difference between induced and spontaneous abortion, alternatives to surgery, the option of adoption, and various abortion rates on a global scale.
From the paper:
"In this day and age, women no longer need to experience giving birth to a child at all. With the legality of abortion, came the option of staying pregnant and giving birth or terminating the pregnancy in the early stages. Abortion is a highly controversial and personal decision. A decision that requires a lot of time for thought. The issue has brought upon a real life tug-of-war match between the pro-lifers and pro-choices. Those who support pro-life beliefs feel that abortion should be abolished and that the laws are too lenient. Those who support pro-choice believe that the decision should lie solely with the mother and laws should not limit her options."
Abstract This paper is a historical analysis of affirmative action in the United States. It covers the period from the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the leaders involved in the decision to pass this amendment to the Constitution, and the motivation behind this historic decision. It then compares the policies of more recent years, and shows how the intentions of the originators of this Act have been manipulated, and how the group that it was intended to benefit from these actions, are now suffering reverse discrimination.
From the paper:
"The Declaration of Independence states, "all men are created equal." Our Constitution is based on giving each citizen the same equal rights. However, policies have been implemented since 1961 to go against the words of the founding fathers of this country. Affirmative action is, by definition, "a policy or program for correcting the effects of discrimination in the employment or education of members of certain groups" or "encouragement for increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment." Problems associated with affirmative action include reverse discrimination. Also, merit and accomplishments may be replaced by the requirement of a quota for a certain race or gender."
Abstract This paper looks at both sides of the nuclear power debate. It focuses on global warming, political violence and the likelihood of change. The author looks at Chernobyl, and Three Mile lsland and how activists on both sides used it to further their message. It also looks at different facilities, their monitoring processes and ways to decrease the chances of accidents occurring in these plants. It also looks at recent incidents at nuclear facilities in the United States, Japan and Germany that have led to the re-evaluation of those government's nuclear policies. As a final note, the author presents many examples of demonstrations against the use of nuclear power, worldwide, to show how this has become a global issue.
From the Paper "Yet, dissenting voices call attention to the dangers of nuclear power: specifically, the devastating effects of the explosion at Chernobyl of the former Soviet Union in 1986, and the contamination of the plant Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania which happened earlier, in 1979. The Chernobyl explosion sent nuclear fallout for miles immediately surrounding the plant, making much of the land uninhabitable. In addition, radiation that caused severe environmental damage to the surrounding areas has been attributed to rising cancer rates throughout Europe. Though the plant at Three Mile Island did not suffer such a catastrophe due to a containment facility, which prevented radioactive materials from being released into the atmosphere, and therefore avoided severe environmental damage, the plant is now thoroughly contaminated, and it cannot be destroyed. Environmentalists argue that increased safety precautions are not enough; accidents like the aforementioned can, and will, happen again. The sound the call not for more nuclear power plants, but the halt of production of new nuclear power plants, and in some cases, argue that nuclear energy in its entirety should be phased out of the energy equation (Janger et. al., 219)."
Abstract This paper examines the affects of global warming by utilizing extensive data to support the argument that global warming is a serious issue. This paper argues that he current global warming trend can be halted, but it will take the collaborative efforts of everyone to gradually phase out fossil fuels and replace them with alternative energy sources.
From the Paper "Imagine that you own a piece of beachfront property on the beautiful coast of North Carolina. The house has been in your family for years and you plan on passing it down to your children. In fifty years the ocean will have slowly crept more than halfway up the beach. Every high tide, waves pummel the pilings that support the entire weight of the house. Hurricanes have also become much more frequent and far more powerful. You begin to worry that if this continues, eventually the house will succumb to the forces of nature and crash into the sea. The following year, a devastating class Five hurricane wipes out every home on the beach. All that remains of your once beautiful vacation home is a concrete ..."
Abstract This is a detailed descriptive, persuasive paper about the effects of cloning including many of the ethical issues. It is more of a pro cloning paper then a con. The author discusses how cloning is accomplished and clearly defines many difficult biological terms, and the opposition's viewpoint.
From the Paper "Can you imagine a world full of people with the same genetic makeup? That would be the scenario if the technology to clone humans fell in to the wrong hands. Many people, when they think of cloning, think of a mass production of one particular race and morality concerns. This simply is not true. Cloning can be a useful tool in helping people with disabilities or life threatening illnesses. Cloning should continue to take place in today's society only if its results would be used to benefit the human race. In today's society, many people are concerned with the ethics of some of the advances in biological technology. Bio-technology had advanced so much, that ethics are a major concern to scientists and the people that fund their research. They have to make sure that they are not "playing God" and that their research has some significance to it, but many people wonder if cloning research is really necessary. They think that scientists are performing these cloning experiments just because they have the technology to do so and that they have no significance to them what so ever. This is a common misconception that the average person has. Cloning is being researched today in order to find alternative treatments to diseases that affect certain organs or tissue. Many more people will be willing to accept the concept of cloning and its role in the benefit of the human race if they knew just a little more about the subject."
Abstract This paper is an argument in favor of the death penalty. The author uses several examples to support his position, including the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and the Oklahoma City bombings in 1991. The author looks at how, since colonial times, it has become progressively more difficult to be sentenced to death. The author also presents evidence that the death penalty does serve as a deterrent for some criminals. The author also states that especially since September 11 there has been a change in many people's feelings about capital punishment, and this evolution needs to be acknowledged when deciding when to apply the death penalty.
From the Paper "Once upon a time the things for which you could be sentenced to death were not so heinous. For example, in colonial America, ?offenses such as striking one's mother or father, or denying the "true God," were punishable by death.? However, that is no longer the case. Surely if we had such small crimes, no one in this modern age would care. But today we have ?More executions now per year than in any single year between 1600 and 1880.? Why? Because today there are more criminals that deserve to die. There is no state today where deny God can get you executed. The only capital crimes in America are murder along with (in various states) kidnapping, narcotics conspiracies, and treason. Despite the fact that we have more executions now than ever before, there is still a decrease in real punishment. ?Indeed, a calculating criminal might look at the extreme rarity of the death penalty and thereby be encouraged in his murderous course.? While we executed criminals every year, there are thousands more we fail to execute, and thousands more that spend the entirety of their natural lives on death row appealing their fates. This is not right."
Abstract This paper examines the controversial topic of abortion in the U.S., particularly non-surgical abortion through the use of the pill RU-486. The author looks at the social, legal, political, and cultural issues surrounding the abortion pill.
From the Paper "Into what is already one of the most intense and polarizing ethical and philosophical issues of the late 20th century in the United States ? the debate over induced abortion ?moves a new element, the medical (i.e. non-surgical) form of abortion that is produced by the use of the drug commonly known as RU-486, recently approved for use in this country by the Federal Drug Administration. Proponents of the drug believe that it will make abortion more accessible to American women as well as less traumatic, both because it can be performed earlier in a pregnancy than a surgical abortion and because the woman herself is more actively engaged in the process. And because RU-486 can be taken in any doctor's office, women will not have to brace the nearly constant protests at abortion clinics, another factor that should alleviate the difficulty in obtaining abortions."
Tags: abortion, clinic, pill, doctor, fda, france, women, united, states, pregnancy, unwanted, Mifepristone, drug, surgical
Abstract A thorough discussion of the history and pros and cons of cloning in general. This paper supports cloning humans to help humanity so long as the ability is not abused. Topics presented include natural clones and philosophical, physical, medical and various other issues.
From the Paper "The word "cloning" once brought to mind a vast array of ideas and thoughts often possible only within the context of science fiction, and yet our technology has now reached a stage in which possibility has become reality. In 1996, the first successful mammalian clone was created and named Dolly - a sheep born asexually who had the exact same genetic sequence as her mother (Hawker). Recently, in 2001 a human embryo was cloned and grew to the 6 cell stage before it died (Hill). These two events have raised an enormous amount of questions surrounding the ethics and benefits of cloning. Even though cloning exists in nature (Identical Twins, bacteria, most unicellular organisms, plants not from seeds, some algae and fungi, many Invertebrates are all natural clones), there is a sense of taking evolution and nature into our own hands by cloning?most especially in context to cloning human beings (Hawker). There are strong arguments both for and against cloning, but I believe cloning is only feasible to help humanity so long as it is not abused."
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 This paper discusses the issue of euthanasia and attempts to define whether euthanasia should be considered morally wrong or right. In order to give an answer to this question and as part of con and pro arguments several cases of voluntary and involuntary euthanasia are discussed in this paper. The case of Robert Latimer occupies a central place in this discussion and ultimately brings into the debate several moral principles-- benefit, sanctity of human life and autonomy.
From the Paper "Robert Latimer's trial was described in the press as "Trial by popularity" and as newspapers' headlines stated "despite his second murder conviction, Latimer retains legal and public support" regardless of the fact that he caused death of his 12 year old disabled daughter by carbon monoxide. Support and sympathy for Latimer has poured in from all parts of Canada bringing with it the question of the moral rightness of what Tracy's father did."
Abstract This paper explains, compares and evaluates gun control in the United States, Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland and Japan. The author concludes that in the United States guns are so much a part of the culture that gun control alone is not enough. The United States must combine sensible gun laws with efforts to change the culture that values easy access to guns for gaining personal power.
From the Paper "The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution says,
?A well regulated militia, being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.? The United States Constitution was completed in 1787, not long after the citizens of the newly-formed country had formed militias, taken up their personal arms, marched to war, and won a revolutionary war to create one of the most powerful and influential countries ever seen. It is hard to imagine our Constitution being written without that amendment, given the times in which it was written."
Tags: second, amendment, united, states, constitution, culture, national, rifle, association, nra, netherlands, great, britain, handguns, switzerland, japan
Abstract A paper which presents a detailed discussion about the war on terrorism and the media's manipulation of the war. The writer outlines the societal views of the US attacks on Middle Eastern soil. The writer also describes the way the media has manipulated society members regarding the attacks by refusing to cover certain issues and cooperating with the US government.
From the Paper "One of the earliest ways that the media began to manipulate the world opinion about the United States attack in the Middle East was its coverage of Bin Laden's reaction to the attacks on 9-11. The media on an almost world wide basis began to claim in November that Bin Laden had proclaimed credit was his for the attacks(Truth pg 10). Media in the United States, Britain, New Zealand and other nations insisted that he had admitted, "we did it" (Truth pg 10). It was reported that he confessed on a news network in England. This would have a very heavy impact on the way society would view Bin Laden and the war against the Middle East. Until this occurred, America as well as other nations were outraged at the attacks on America which killed thousands of civilians but there was a hesitation about who to attack. "
Abstract This paper studies the immediate effects of the attack and its influence on the U.S. economy. It then moves on to the event's international impact, namely, the threat of the first synchronized world recession of the globalization era. Surveys are cited and the importance of globalization to the U.S. is explored. It concludes with an inclusion of the positive aspects of terrorism's influence on globalization.
From the Paper "On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States resulting in the destruction of the Twin Towers and the deaths of thousands. As a result, the repercussions of the attacks have rippled through the American economy and affected the phenomenon of globalization.
"As a result of the terrorism attacks, many businesses were forced to shut down or downsize; travel and luxury industries experienced an enormous blow; and trade around the world decreased."
Abstract This paper examines the issues involved in assisted suicide.The writer describes the difference between physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. The writer explains that physician-assisted suicide is carried out with the consent of a competent and terminally ill patient. Euthanasia, on the other hand, is basically mercy killing. The writer discusses personal opinions and views concerning the "die with dignity" issues.
From the Paper "When we think of assisted suicide, most of us immediately think of Dr. Jack Kevokian, the retired pathologist who was sentenced to two terms of imprisonment in 1999 for helping a man suffering from a terminal disease to die (Humphrey 2002). Assisted suicide is a very passionate issue of debate in this country. There are numerous ethical and moral considerations aside from the legal aspects of the practice. The topic is as controversial as abortion and capital punishment. Most everyone has a deep-rooted belief one way or the other, they are either for or against, few ride the middle ground. It has been my observation that those in favor of pro-life are more likely to favor capital punishment and oppose assisted suicide, and those in favor of abortion and assisted suicide are more likely to oppose the death penalty. It is indeed a passionate issue and will continue to be debated for years to come."
Abstract The paper examines the use of money-laundering to fund illegal activities and terrorism. It describes the basic criminal reasons for laundering money from the view of government, in legitimizing large amounts of illegally acquired money and methods used in doing so. The paper illustrates how large this criminal activity is globally and calls for a global solution.
From the Paper "Recent events such as the World trade Tower attack, the war on terrorism and the collapse of several giants such as Enron have brought the subject of money laundering into the forefront of the media. Mass media is inundated with articles and news stories about money laundering, particularly in relation to the funding of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda. Several organizations have dedicated themselves to the study and dissemination of knowledge about money laundering. Both the US government and other governments have developed strong initiatives to detect and deter money-laundering activities across borders."
Tags: world, trade, center, attack, september, 11th, 911, enron, al-qaeda, us, united, states, government, border, national, PATRIOT, ACT, of, 2001
