Abstract This paper analyzes the aging process in humans. It describes the effect of aging on the organs of the body and discusses the role of reactive oxygen species (or ROS), which includes oxygen free radicals (or OFRs) in this process. The paper also discusses chronic fatigue and its effects and then briefly discusses the link between fatigue and aging.
From the Paper "Fatigue and aging seem linked. A decrease in energy production with aging is associated at least partly with mitochondrial lipid peroxidation by ROS and the body's failure to replace or repair the injured molecules. Damage to the membranes and the consequent dysfunction of mitochondria by ROS can also lead to certain changes, such as mutations and deletions in the mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA. The mitochondrial theory of aging suggests that degenerative disease is explained partly by accumulated mtDNA mutations and deletions and oxidative injury to mitochondrial members through time. These findings connected chronic diseases to the degree of mitochondrial membrane lipid peroxidation and mtDNA injury. This is why experts link or relate the damage of mtDNA and mitochondrial membrane age-related degenerative diseases. These diseases lead to important cell changes, which determine its survival and say a lot about the disturbing phenomenon known as aging (Nicolson)."
Abstract This paper discusses use of DNA as crime scene evidence. Science has added a weapon to the crime lab's arsenal. From a drop of blood, strands of hair, or other biological material left at the crime scene, scientists can provide a much better "fingerprint", namely DNA.
Abstract This essay will explore the risks of DNA research and genetic cloning in the context of Michael Crichton's book "Jurassic Park". While this paper will recognize the benefits of DNA testing, its main argument will be that, while Crichton's book is somewhat exaggerated and unrealistic, the basic warning is legitimate: that there is a certain point where man's creation can hurt humanity itself.
Abstract This paper relates that scientists have deciphered every last one of the 3 billion DNA "letters" in the human body. The author points out that the completed DNA sequence is now expected to give scientists understandings about the workings of the human body that have never been made before. The paper stresses that this development will revolutionize medicine and biology.
Abstract This paper discusses how the courts have sent innocent people to prison as well as sentencing innocent people to death row. Most people would want the courts to use evidence that can correctly punish the guilty and set free those who are innocent. The paper further discusses how DNA evidence works to link the guilty with the crime they commit and it allows the innocent to go free. DNA as evidence is vital in making the right decisions about crime.
From the Paper "Imagine sending an innocent person to prison on charges that he or she did not commit, yet the courts have convicted and sentenced innocent people to death row. "There is no way to tell how many of the over 1,000 people executed since 1976 may also have been innocent" (Additional Innocence Information). The courts have sent innocent people to prison as well as sentencing innocent people to death row. "What if there was a way of typing a person to the scene of a crime beyond the shadow of doubt. Or, more importantly, what if you could rule out suspects and prevent the wrong person from being locked up in jail" (Meeker-O-Connell). "
Abstract This paper answers questions relating to DNA templates and the differences between the structure, function, and the treatment of viruses and bacteria. The paper also explains the necessity for making a template in the replication process.
From the Paper "The DNA has to be replicated so that after cell division each new cell will contain the full amount of DNA material. After replication every new cell will contain one strand of the original DNA plus one strand of the newly synthesized DNA. The original strand acts as template to guide the next process which is the synthesis of a..."
Abstract Modern ecological pressures are very different from those faced by early Homo Sapiens and other early hominids. Changes have taken place in DNA structures sometimes relating to our environment and our sociological issues. In the paper the author examines issues related to these changes and the results in Homo Sapiens and Homo Neanderthalensis.
From the Paper "Our four micro evolutionary forces; mutations, gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection have far different results in modern man and in fact the move from natural selection to self-domestication is changing man into some kind of pseudo robot form and the environment into a kind of pseudo self supporting bionomic. From hospitals who save the rare mutation that may have succumbed in nature, from importing and exporting to favor those with the 'wrong' genes in the 'wrong' area regarding gene flow, from the highly mobile human and his ability to intermingle with anyone around the world regarding genetic drift and back again to the doctors who save those that may succumb to natural selection; we have annihilated our four micro evolutionary forces into oblivion."
Abstract This paper studies the impact culture has on the aging process and discusses the concepts of successful aging, productive aging and comfortable aging. The author looks, in particular, at the American culture and how it affects the process of aging and concludes that as the American culture attaches a great deal of significance on financial independence and individualism, these are the factors that will contribute to the behavior of elderly people and their mentality as they age.
From the Paper " It is worth mentioning that every culture has its own behavioral code for every age group, therefore, there are certain stereotypes or standards, which should be met. Analyzing the impact of American culture on the process of aging, disease management and pain control, we must first identify the main features of American mentality. Having West-Indian origins, American culture can be characterized by the fear of aging; probably, it would be better to say the fear of death. Therefore, the elderly attempt to decelerate the process of aging in every possible way, for instance anti-aging drugs or plastic surgery."
Tags:aging concepts, health and mental well-being, independence
Abstract This paper defines and clarifies the debate over different types of aging. Starting with the revolutionary work of Havighurst in the late 1960's and incorporating research from the present day, this paper defines the three central components of aging: physiological, psychological (cognitive), and social. Numerous examples of both successful and unsuccessful aging across all three components are described, and backed by empirical research. No clear "recipe" for successful aging can be given, but this paper is a thorough and modern overview of this facet of psychology as it stands today.
From the Paper "In the late 16th century the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon set out on a quest to discover the fountain of youth. Intruding into uncharted and hostile Indian Territory, de Leon was struck dead by an arrow to his heart, at the age of 47. Today millions of Americans and billions worldwide are experiencing the golden years that evaded De Leon. But does older age necessarily equate to 'golden years'? Since at least the 1960s gerontologists have been developing conceptual frameworks, called schema, to describe ideal outcomes of the aging process. One of the most commonly used terms to describe good old age is "successful aging", often attributed to R.J. Havighurst (1961). This concept lies at the core of the practice of gerontology; the Havighurst article appeared as the first conceptual piece in the first issue of the discipline's prime publication, The Gerontologist. Defining 'successful' aging has been an issue of debate ever since. However, a complete definition must include at least three components: physiological, psychological (or cognitive), and social. It also must be able to be clearly distinguished from the opposite end of the spectrum, namely, 'unsuccessful' aging."
Tags:age, alzheimer, cognitive, development, developmental, geriatric, geriatrics, gerontology, havinghurst, old
Discusses the inevitability of aging and some of the changes that come along with aging as well as optimistic and hopeful philosophy that should be applied to the aging process.
Abstract This paper presents a philosophy of aging that emphasizes hope and commitment. Positive outcome of aged people staying productive, busy and engaged in meaningful ways. Importance of helping older individuals live in dignity in the final stage of their lives.
From the Paper "Aging is inevitable and is accompanied by many challenges and opportunities. Most elderly people, even those fortunate enough to live in advanced countries where high quality medical care is readily available and easily affordable, experience some decline in their physical functionality. Most also experience a series of losses that can include the loss of a spouse or partner, of friends, of an occupation that has helped to define the individual and of a certain amount of autonomy.Even among the healthy and somewhat..."
A discussion and analysis of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) that was signed by Congress in 1967 as a method of addressing the arbitrary policies that many industries had in the country relating to older workers.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 9 sources, 2006, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), explaining that it specifically relates to workers of age 40 and older, as Congress believed that this was the age when there was the most evidence of age discrimination. The paper explains that the ADEA directly focuses on a number of issues that affect concerns of age discrimination. These issues include the hiring of employees, the promotion of employees, the salaries of employees and the ability of the company to discharge workers. The paper further explains that the Act discusses the publication of materials for workers that relates to their employment and how these publications may have a direct impact on the interpretation of the ADEA in courts.
Abstract This paper looks at the physical and mental aspects of aging, exploring how people regard old age. This includes how old people feel about being old, what they regret most about old age, what they feel about young people and old age as a state of mind.
From the Paper "While aging takes its toll on the body and there are many effects of aging which we simply cannot escape from, there are also many misconceptions held about aging especially by younger people. For instance, many people believe that when you grow old, there is no potential for growth, learning and being actively engaged in life. While this is true of some people, it is not true for the majority of the elderly who live happy productive lives."
Abstract This essay compares and contrasts two articles that deal with age as an area of social historical concern in terms of their overall contribution to the this topic. The articles to be analyzed are "Cartoons and Commissions: Advice to Junior Farmers in Post war Ontario", by Linda Ambrose and "Renovating the Canadian Old Age Home: The Evolution of Residential Care Facilities in BC 1930-1960", by Megan J. Davies. The essay briefly outlines the content of the two papers and attempts to answer the following questions: What are the major focuses of the authors in respect to the subject of age? Have these focuses changed over time? Which author makes a more substantial contribution to the question of age in social history and why?
This paper is a discussion of how and why economic growth was sparked in the Stone Age, specifically stating that climatic changes, geographic factors, and the growth of settlements with larger populations were the largest factors.
Abstract This paper discusses the economic growth that occurred during the Stone Age and aligns with Marshall Sahlins' view that the Stone Age was a society of affluence, stipulating that an affluent society is one in which material desires are easily fulfilled, as long as the needs of the people are few. The author argues that the primary factor in economic growth of the Stone Age was the climatic change that followed the end of the Ice Age. These climate changes caused food shortages, which in turn necessitated the development of tools for hunting. Later, in areas where geographic conditions were ideal, agriculture developed, which in turn spurred greater economic growth.
From the Paper "The Neolithic Age was preceded by the rise of agricultural activities in several Stone Age communities. In general, the Neolithic period is seen primarily as an economic phenomenon, and its essence is seen as consisting in the new phenomenon of agriculture (Thomas). Of course, this did vary from region to region. By 5000 BC, peasant communities existed in Palestine, Iraq and Iran, and soon thereafter they appeared in India, Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean (Hawkes and Woolley 8). On the other hand, in Europe hunting persisted for thousands of years, and change came much more slowly. Moreover, Thomas argues that the situation was quite different in southern Britain, and possibly also in other parts of Britain, and in Ireland. The point Thomas wishes to make is that 'the Neolithic in Britain was not characterized by a single economic system' (7)."
Tags: affluence, Ice Age, geographic location, food shortage, agriculture development
Abstract This paper studies the problematic age of legal consent in the United States in general and Maryland specifically. It analyzes the importance of maturity in making this decision and argues that maturity and reason is not necessarily decided by age. The author sees that the law seems to divert focus to age rather than to consent. It gives an example of a story about minors having consensual sex but not necessarily willingly. It concludes that children who are immature should be protected from rash decisions in order to make sure they don't get emotionally and physically scarred.
From the Paper "Here's something you probably didn?t know, boys and girls! According to the ?Legal Age of Consent Website,? the legal age of consent in the state of Maryland is fifteen. In layperson's terms this means that before the age of fifteen, even if you want to say ?yes, yes, yes,? a la Meg Ryan in ?When Harry Met Sally,? certain rules and restrictions may apply. This is reasonable, correct? After all, you are minors. You all have certain special legal protections and privileges (Such as making sure your legal guardian gives you bread, McDonald's milkshakes, and board. Such as the fact mall security noticed those platform shoes you just happened to walk out of Delia's with won"t be a part of your permanent record). Why shouldn"t the law also reserve an interest in protecting you from your own potential lapses in judgment so you can better become a happy and healthy adult? The image of a fifteen-year-old-girl dating a college student probably not only seems like a huge lapse to your parents and to the world at large but to many of your own minds as well."
