Abstract This essay looks at how Mary Shelley's " Frankenstein" is a story that is the possible precursor of a modern cloning experiment gone bad. The author discusses the ethical problems related to human cloning, and how the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein serves as a warning against mankind's efforts to interfere with nature.
From the Paper "The story of Dr. Frankenstein and his unfortunate monster illustrates how much havoc could be wreaked on society by anyone person who attempts to "play God". In the nineteenth century, there was a far greater belief that the creation of life was the province of God alone. Now technologically advanced science is a multi-billion dollar industry and the progress of genetics in the last decade is far outpacing the legislation that society has to monitor its application. Even in 1818, Mary Shelley raises the idea that we, as a society, were in grave danger of becoming far cleverer and more scientifically able than we were wise. It is for these reasons that Mary Shelley makes some of Dr. Frankenstein last words, in Chapter XIII, read like a terrible warning to mankind, one that stands against cloning today: ?Man," I cried, "how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom! Cease; you know not what it is you say."
Abstract A brief look at the Al Qaida Terrorist Network. This paper looks at the group's leadership, where they get their training and funding and what their ultimate goals are. It also examines their strategies and methods for achieving these goals.
From the Paper "There are many terrorists groups throughout the world, but the most extreme of these radicals are the Al Qaida. Established by Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s, the groups originally worked to bring Arabs together to fight against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
"Its current goal is to ?establish a pan-Islamic Caliphate throughout the world by working with allied Islamic extremist groups to overthrow regimes it deems "non-Islamic" and expelling Westerners and non-Muslims from Muslim countries."
Abstract This paper discusses how abortion came about and how it is perceived today. It includes an historical overview of abortion since the 18th century. It takes a look at the life of Margaret Sanger, one of the founders of the first abortion clinics and moves to more recent events such as the death of Dr. Barnett Slepian, who was murdered for simply doing his job. It concludes with a look to the future of abortion which is not expected to be much different from the present situation.
From the Paper "Abortion is the deliberate termination of pregnancy by removing the fetus from the womb. There are four standard procedures of abortion suction , dilation , hysterectomy , and saline. The first-trimester abortions are simple and safe. It is unknown why spontaneous abortions happen. 25% of all human pregnancies terminate by themselves. Spontaneous abortion can result in expulsion in part or all of the uterus. Induced abortion is the deliberate termination of pregnancy by removing the fetus from the womb (Tietze). Abortion was legal in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was only illegal after the 4th month of pregnancy. When a lady use to get an abortion people would say your pregnancy "slipped" away( Regan 8). Another women can stop a pregnancy is with birth control pills. 3 out of every 4 women use birth control pills. People believe though that birth control pills can cause substantial health risks. It is also the most poplar form of contraception (Shapiro 14). In 1965 the Supreme Court decision for Griswold vs. Connecticut made birth control legal for married couples only (Katz). Margaret Sanger was the founder of the birth control pill and of safe abortions in 1915. Another goal of Margaret's was, she wanted to teach wives to insist on there own rights during sex (Katz). Dr. Slepain was an abortion doctor who was shot in front of his wife and four sons while he warmed some soup in 1998."
Abstract This paper demonstrates that immigrant workers do not add significantly to the U.S. economy and have more costs than the benefits derived from their presence. The paper focuses specifically on a proposed bill by President Bush, after discussions with the president of Mexico working, that would allow seasonal farm workers to enter the United States as guest-workers.
From the Paper "Over 8 million immigrants were in the United States as of the year 2000 (FAIR 1998). Immigrants make up approximately 8.5 percent of the total U.S. population (Simon, 1996). Proponents of immigration, such as Molly Galvin (Galvin, 1997) state that even though immigration causes negative economic effects in certain local areas, the overall effect on the US economy is not a negative one. Some propose that immigrants add to the US economy. Opponents such as Mark Krikorian (Krikorian, 2001), and Steven Camorata (Camorata, 2001) believe that immigration will have a negative effect on American Agriculture and Wages."
Abstract The following paper discusses why anti-abortion campaigns must be halted by providing the reader with media references and statistics with regards to the anti-abortion population. This paper discusses what must be done in order to put the pro-choice laws, that have already been enforced, into practice by a well-briefed, well-trained state system.
From the Paper ?Only a small, militant section of the population is actively anti-abortion.
They believe that abortion kills a living human baby in a painful way. For example, a pro-life website, ironically called The Pro-choice Homepage, describes abortion this way: ?forceps must be used to grasp the baby's body because of the child's advanced development. The baby is dismembered as the abortionist twists and tears the parts of the body and slices the placenta away... the procedure is devastating...?
Abstract This paper examines the ways in which Capital punishment has been imposed throughout history. It discusses traditional historical methods of execution and the abolition and reinstatement of capital punishment. The writer draws on arguments and evidence against the alleged deterrent effects of capital punishment, the financial costs and the ineffectiveness of lawyers representing capital defendants as well as the lack of judges who are truly impartial towards capital defendants.
From the Paper ?Capital punishment has been imposed throughout history for numerous crimes, including blasphemy, murder, petty theft, and treason. Ancient societies that accepted the notion that particular crimes deserved capital punishment include the ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. In addition, both Jesus and Socrates were executed. Likewise, Britain brought the death penalty and brought it to the United States.Traditional historical methods of execution included: (1) beheading or decapitation; (2) breaking on the wheel; (3) burning; (4) crucifixion; (5) drawing and quartering; (6) garroting; (7) hanging; (8) peine forte et dure; (9) shooting; and (10) stoning. Such forms of capital punishment are now regarded today as barbaric, cruel and unusual, ghastly, and unthinkable. In the United States, the death penalty is now carried out in one of five ways: (1) electrocution; (2) firing squad (rarely used, yet the law remains on the books in certain states); (3) gas chamber; (4) hanging; and (5) lethal injection. The two most commonly accepted and implemented forms of capital punishment are the gas chamber or lethal injection.?
Abstract This paper discusses Euthanasia, the right to die; the history and legislation concerning this controversial subject, as well as information on recent public and doctor opinion polls leading to a conclusion of support. It also details several cases and court decisions on this issue and how they have affected the laws on Euthanasia. The issue of active euthanasia, or assisted suicide, turns on whether it would have social consequences that refraining would not, on whether it would be possible to establish procedural safeguards for limited active euthanasia and whether such practices would have a significant adverse effect on the treatment of terminal patients in general.
From the Paper "It its September, 1997 issue, the journal Medical Economics reported ("No longer an Option for One AIDS Patient and His Doctor") that the Florida Supreme Court had ruled against physician-assisted suicide in a decision overturning a trial judge's finding, giving AIDS patient Charles E. Hall the right to die as he wished. According to the Florida court, his intention to commit suicide through medical intervention was against the state's policy to preserve life. Several legal issues have been raised regarding the court's decision, involving the fact that it was based upon cases where application of artificial treatment could indefinitely prolong life."
Abstract This paper discusses the events and reactions that took place after the September 11th attacks. Muslim reactions, the spirit of patriotism that arose and political differences are discussed.
From the Paper "On a bright late summer morning, people across America got up and prepared to go to work, school and errands as usual. They had no way of knowing that just around 9 a.m Eastern time, our world was going to change forever. Once we all started to ask why and how such a horrific thing could happen, some causes-and some hidden enemies to the United States-showed themselves.We know that Islamic extremists (al Qaeda) consider the West in general and America in particular to be a nation of "infidels," basically "unclean." And we know that many of these al Qaeda activists, led by Osama bin Laden, allegedly have never "forgiven" infidel Americans from trampling their lands during the Gulf War-and this is their given reason for wanting to strike back. They call their actions in killing Americans part of a "jihad," or "holy war." A Muslim who dies under the circumstances of bringing about the death of infidels is a hero and a martyr."
Abstract The paper reviews the debate between the anti-abortion movement - "National Right to Life Committee" and the pro-abortion group - "National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League".
From the Paper "Every year for the past 28 years, Washington D.C. has been invaded twice yearly by two opposing forces; the Pro-Choice advocates and the Pro-Life lobby. Since the 1973 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States, these two opposite sides have actively campaigned to either reverse this decision or have it upheld and strengthened, respectively. Two of these interest groups have gone so far as to establish Capitol Hill offices to promote their agendas- The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights League and the National Right to Life Committee."
Abstract The paper discusses the two topics of debate which have sprung up since mammalian cloning made headlines - whether cloning is ethically correct, and whether it can become a profitable business. The paper shows how the two sets of questions have in the intervening five years become more and more tightly bound together, especially as the process of mammalian cloning has proved to be more technically difficult than once assumed. Faced with scores of maimed and partial individuals preceding each healthy clone, many scientists and many of those outside the scientific community have spent a great deal of time wondering whether it is ethical to go forward with such research ? aside from the practical questions of whether cloning could ever become economically viable.
From the Paper "Even those who wholeheartedly support cloning are in general morally opposed to the cloning of entire human individuals. Such an action is seen to violate some of our most deeply held beliefs about the sacredness and uniqueness of the individual. As a result, most cloning research today is focused on creating and then harvesting stem cells that might then be induced to grow into what are essentially spare parts. Thus a person who is blind might have new corneas grown for him while the diabetic might have a new pancreas grown for her."
Abstract This paper addresses the issue of global warming. A definition of the term is provided and the causes and effects are outlined. The U.S. government's proposed solutions for addressing the problem are also discussed.
From the Paper "One of the most imposing problems in the environment sector of the US government is the prevailing occurrence of global warming not only in the United States, but also in other parts of the world. Global warming is the result of the continuing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides are examples of greenhouse gases that are present in abundant amounts in the atmosphere. These gases are generated from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and emission of gases from industrial factories. Deforestation, increased use of chemical treatments in agriculture, industrial production, and improper waste disposal are several reasons that also contribute to the growing amount of these gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are hazardous when accumulated in great amount because they trap the energy released from various sources on Earth, and if these energies are continually trapped in the atmosphere and are not released, global warming occurs."
Tags: hazard, greenhouse, gases, atmosphere, industry, agricultue, waste, production
Abstract The paper starts by outlining the background to the Texas vs. Johnson court-case of flag-burning that occurred in the U.S.A. It explains the conviction in the light of the First Amendment. It looks at the court's determinants and the consequences of the decisions of the court for future flag-burning offences.
From the Paper "The phrase "Symbolic expression" is usually used to explain expressions that are mixed with elements of behavior. Symbolic expression (or expressive behavior) can be protected by the First Amendment, according to The Supreme Court that has made it clear in a series of cases. Many of these cases have been highly controversial, but none has probably been so, more than Texas v. Johnson (1990) overturning the conviction of a man who expressed his utter displeasure with United States policies by burning an American flag."
Tags: First, Amendment, USA, court, consequence, determinant, symbolic, expression
Abstract This paper examines the human resource criteria for the proposed federal agency, The Homeland Security Department. It looks at the history and characteristics of the merit system, as well as considers the political environment and the history of the debate and the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History of The Merit System
3. Characteristics of the Merit System
4. Merit System Reform Human Resources and the Homeland Security Department
5. Reactions to the Homeland Security Department
6. Bibliography
From the Paper "Debate is currently underway in response to a proposed bill calling for the creation of the Homeland Security Department. This department is designed to integrate the various federal agencies that contribute to national security. One cause of debate is the human resource implications of the new system. This system asks for a flexible approach to human resources, but as will be seen, this is not a new concept. Human resources in the public service has been an issue for decades, yet for the last century the public service has been based on a system known as the ?merit system.? "
Abstract This paper examines the novel "Billy Budd" in order to compare and contrast capital punishment in military versus civilian court. A brief history of capital punishment, differences between court procedures and views on human rights in these two systems are explored. The justification for capital punishment in the book is discussed in light of the differences between the systems.
From the Paper "In Herman Melville's novel Billy Budd, Captains Vere's personal judgment and his compliance to military law killed an innocent man. Billy Budd is a novel whose central events are tied closely to capital punishment (Laskin). Capital punishment has long been popular in both the civilian and military arena. However, court proceedings and the treatment of the concept of the right of man are very different in military and civilian courts. It is the military reliance on strict procedures and indifference to the rights of man that resulted in Captain Vere's decision to sentence the innocent Billy Budd to a public execution."
Abstract This essay examines the regional causes for the Persian Gulf War between Kuwait and Iraq. It describes the history of Kuwait, and the alliance between Kuwait and Iraq during the Iran/Iraq War. The paper explains the reasons for the Persian Gulf War: The unending border argument, the quarrel over the oil deposited on that border, and the weakening of the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait after the Iran/Iraq War.
From the Paper "From August 2, 1990 until February 26, 1991 Iraq and Kuwait fought in the Persian Gulf War. The two countries disagreed on many issues and causes. The causes of the Persian Gulf War between Iraq and Kuwait were the two countries' continuing boundary dispute, their feud over the oil deposited on the ill-defined border, and the continuing deterioration of the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait after the fallout of the previous Gulf War between Iraq and Iran."
