Abstract
This paper deals with the subject of genetic engineering, explaining the process that is involved in carrying it out and of transmitting the specifically designed changes to successive generations via genetic inheritance. The author also provides some historical background and discusses the ethical controversies that surround this subject.

Outline:
Background and History
Beneficial Applications
Ethical Controversies

From the Paper
"British microbiologist Fred Griffith identified two forms of the pneumococcus bacterium distinguishable by the presence or absence of a smooth exterior cellular coating responsible for its resistance to the human immune system response. Griffith accidentally transmitted that characteristics of the deadly pneumococci responsible for human pneumonia to subsequent generations of the harmless pneumococci that lacked that distinctive exterior coating (Aldridge 1998).
"The subsequent discovery of the underlying structure of the DNA molecule and specific mechanism of genetic inheritance announced by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1957 lead to the eventual explosion of DNA sciences including the purposeful alteration of genetic material to produce desirable genetic traits in biological organisms. In fact, so much research into the mechanics of human heredity were conducted in the
interim between Griffith's first experiments that culmination in their 1957 announcement for which they shared a Nobel Prize, that the work of Watson and Crick is considered by many to unfairly overshadow the valuable contributions of Griffith and other predecessors (Gibbon 2002).

Tags:beneficial, breakthrough, inheritable

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the life of Andrew Jackson. Specifically, it discusses his background and then focuses on his career in American politics. The paper describes Jackson's upbringing and family life and then discusses the events in his life leading up to his presidency and the achievements and controversies that surrounded his term in office.

From the Paper
"In conclusion, Andrew Jackson's life was a life of public service, controversy, and often criticism. He was an honorable and complicated man, who felt it was his duty to serve his country and lead the people who honored and revered him. He was the first "common" man to rise to the presidency, and many experts believe he was the dominant president between Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Biographer Ogg states, "Jackson was, as no President before him, the choice of the masses. His popular vote in 1824 revealed not only his personal popularity but the growing power of the democratic elements in the nation [...]." His political life was varied, and he did not always accomplish his goals, but he was the first president to truly be elected by the people, and he set the framework for honest and loyal government service."

Tags:statesman, attorney general, legislature

Abstract
This paper summarizes a chapter of "Controversies in Victimology" by Laura J. Moriarty concerning problems with definitions and other issues in research into the fear of crime, noting that there is a growing fear of crime. It also examines how although many point out that this is actually unrealistic because crime rates are dropping, it is not unrealistic for the person who has been the victim of a crime.

From the Paper
"The victims' rights movement has gained considerable ground in recent years. For one thing, there is a growing fear of crime, and while many point out that this is actually unrealistic because crime rates are dropping, it is not unrealistic for the person who has been the victim of a crime. In addition, there is a concern that the criminal justice system does not give enough attention to the victims and is instead structured largely to protect the interests of the accused. This has led to movements to give victims more rights, including the right to speak at sentencing, the right to be notified of parole, the right to speak against parole, and so on. Research shows that much of the fear of crime may derive from response to the fear of friends and relatives."

Tags:fear, crime, research

From the Paper
"There are a number of different species of primates in the world today, and there have been others that are now extinct. The best-known and most widely-dispersed primate on earth is man. Anthropologists study human behavior in all its manifestations and find connections between the behavior of very different groups, such as Pacific Islanders and Londoners, Bantu tribesmen in Africa and the average New Yorker, and so on. Such studies are accepted because of the accepted view that human behavior in different settings reflects underlying forces and motivations which are common to all human beings. Primate studies which examine the behavior of other primates and then extrapolate from the results to the human condition raise different issues and cause some researchers to reject any such connection as too..."

Abstract
The writer outlines abortion history and laws then focuses in the issue of partial birth abortion and its controversy. It provides an explanation of the legal development of laws relating to abortion and its eventual legalization. The paper provides statistics about the number of abortions performed in recent years, ages of the women, reasons etc. It then explains the concept of partial birth, when a fetus is aborted after 21 weeks, and the way that this is carried out is through semi-labor. The paper explains why this is obviously a very controversial issue.

From the Paper
"Three decades ago abortions were legalized, and efforts to have that decision reversed have not stopped since. Abortions used to be handled in back alleys, and dark rooms, with unsterile equipment many times. They were illegal and not something that one could talk about because they were not legally allowed to get them in the first place. The abortion legalization cleared the path for regulation by way of sterilization, and counseling for the patient before and after receiving an abortion procedure(Smith, 1979). While there have been many attempts to reverse the decision, they have been largely futile, because the public believed the service provided pregnant women was made safer by the legalization process. This was the case until a few years ago when the topic of partial birth abortions moved to the forefront. Partial birth abortions have created controversy that rivals the original controversy about abortion legalization."

Tags:fetus, partial, birth

Abstract
This paper discusses Canada's involvement in foreign aid. The Canadian International Development Agency is discussed in terms of what its purpose is and how it is involved in foreign aid development and spending. Controversies surrounding spending habits are examined in this article, particularly in light of the recent issues with unjustifiable spending habits on the Sponsorship program.

From the Paper
"Although the triumph of democracy post cold war helped trigger the global economic boom, developing democracies have benefited least from trade and investment. It is crucial for the international donor community to address potential problems of new policies for promoting democratization of developing countries, otherwise risk losing financial and strategic investments between donors and under-developed countries. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) values social justice, peace, and humanitarianism. CIDA was established in 1968 and has maintained a steady stream of public support in their effort to help the less fortunate."

Tags:foreign, aid, controversial

Abstract
This paper explains that the ethical dilemma involved in stem cell research is a rather straight- forward process because to achieve its full potential this type of research requires using stem cells from fetuses. The author points out that using stem cells from fetuses is controversial for a variety of reasons. The paper relates that many religious and political conservatives believe that stem cell researchers "harvest babies" for their stem cells.

From the Paper
"Identifying the ethical dilemma involved in stem cell research is a rather straight- forward process, for to achieve its full potential this type of research requires using stem cells from fetuses. Doing so is controversial for a variety of reasons, and the moral dilemma involved with this issue is compounded by the fact that many of these reasons are as controversial as stem cell research itself. For example, many religious and political conservatives believe that stem cell researchers "harvest babies" for their stem cells. As Snow (2004) notes, they believe that fetuses have an inviolable right to life and that any medical use of a fetus in any form is morally indefensible."

Tags:stem, cell, research

Abstract
This paper discusses the controversy that still surrounds the Patriot Act and examines its impact on the law enforcement agencies and the Fourth Amendment. The USA Patriot Act, which was signed as law in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, gives sweeping powers of search and surveillance to the law enforcing agencies and is aimed at eliminating the terrorist activities in the U.S. The Department of Justice and the Bush administration claim that the Patriot Act has been instrumental in preventing further terrorist attacks in the U.S. after 9/11. However, the civil libertarians claim that the Act severely compromises the civil liberties granted in the U.S. Constitution and violates the due process law of the Fourth Amendment.

From the Paper
"The Bush administration and the US Department of Justice insist that the Patriot Act is not aimed at restricting civil liberties and consists of only modest, incremental changes in the law in order to preserve the lives and liberty of the American people from the challenges posed by a global terrorist network. The Department of Justice Website claims that following its passage, the Patriot Act has played a key part in a number of successful operations to protect innocent Americans from the deadly plans of terrorists. (The USA PATRIOT Act: Preserving Life and Liberty, 2003) Others such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) beg to disagree and denounce the defense of the Act by the government as misleading and dishonest. Their main worry is that the expansion of police powers and the reduction of personal privacy do not make Americans any safer from terrorists - it only allows the government to interfere with the privacy of its citizens."

Tags:constitution, terrorism, justice

Abstract
This paper explores various themes of controversy surrounding the Olympic Games, including commercialization, technological performance enhancers, and doping. In the case of commercialization, the paper explains that since modern revival of the Olympics, organizers have found difficulty in collecting necessary funds, making commercialization into one of the most enduring controversies in Olympic history. The paper asserts that the Olympics will never be able to live up to the ideal of its creator, judging from its past record of controversy; it seems as though the possibility of a peaceful, fair and cooperative sporting event has been eclipsed by motivations of money, political agendas, and personal greed. The paper concludes that only if drastic changes are made by the International Olympic Committee, governments, and individuals, will the Olympics ever succeed in one of their primary goals to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

From the Paper
"Performance enhancement has also tainted the purity of the Olympic Games. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Ben Johnson won the gold medal in world-record time of 9.79 seconds. Two days later, Canadian Olympic officials received a letter from the IOC stating that Johnson had failed his urine test. Later that day, a second test confirmed traces of the banned steroid stanozolol (CBC). According to Richard Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, "Antidoping is now the most important issue we face" (Saporito). WADA identified record 25 athletes using performance enhancing drugs at the Athens Olympics (Saporito). New substances are being introduced that attempt to give athletes the same edge without being detected."

Tags:commercialization, steroids, doping, sports, performance, enhancer

From the Paper
Tobacco use, particularly in the form of cigarette smoking, is recognized as a major health risk behavior in the United States (Horrigan, 1995, p. 28). With the exception of the control of cigarette smoking in public places and work areas and generally ineffective efforts to prohibit the access of minors to tobacco products, however, little official effort is made to impose strict controls on the consumption of tobacco in this country. In fact, an official policy of the federal government in the United States encourages the production of tobacco for domestic consumption through a subsidy program for tobacco farmers (Bates, 1995, pp. 195-198). In the late-summer of 1995, however,..."