The GM club Essay Example for Free

The GM club Essay The 21st century has become a world of wonders, a world of scientific and technological miracles. Moreover, a world where human kind strives to solve all of its ills without knowing enough about repercussions. If this dream is to be realized, we as an inter-dependant society, have a moral and ethical duty to make fundamental decisions as to the limits of science and technology in our every day life. Technology is emerging as the ruling power in western societies in the 21st century, and therefore, human kind is finding it more and more difficult to survive without constant aid from new hi-tech advances. Computers and the internet has become mens best friend. Children are growing up with Nintendo and Xbox, and consequently without the wondrous knowledge of playing tag, climbing a tree, playing in the dirt or with little insects. They have no familiarity with a world without television and videogames, a natural world where everything is organic and healthy. As the futurist Alvin Toffler points out in an article in the New Scientist, welcome to the latest installment of that (future) shock: the GM revolution. Gene therapy. Spare-part tissues grown from engineered fetal cells. Organ-donor pigs and their viruses. All these are part of it, but they are the remote part that exists only in the labs and the imaginations of scientists. GM food is different, its already left the labs. 1 In this paper, we will examine and try to clarify different philosophies that are competing to control world food production. In particular, we will mainly focus on the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GM or GMOs) and Organic Farming. Each philosophy has its adherents and its detractors are locked in a boisterous and intransigent battle. This has led to a clouding of issues, making it very difficult for people to develop an informed decision. We believe that the issue at stake is crucial to humanitys existence, since it transcends national and political boundaries. All humans share this planet and ingest its harvest of food, thus, an error in policy can lead to universal catastrophe. As Toffler further points out, suddenly, plant science is no longer a quiet backwater for genial professors and their cuttings. It is the stuff of big business, patent rivalries and closely guarded technical tricks. If you believe biotechs gainsayers, this brave new plant science is also ushering in a dark age in which all genes will bear a no trespassing sign, and the companies that own them will move them from species to species like Lego bricks, to the detriment of whats left of the natural world and our respect for it. Many organisms researchers are manipulating are more complex than bacteria and have greater emotional resonance for humans, either because they are mammals or part of our food supply. 2 On the other hand, as Nathan Batalion points out a farmer may use toxic chemicals for many decades, and then let the land lie fallow for a year or two to convert back to organic farming. The chemicals tend to break down into natural substances within months or years. A few may persist for decades. But genetic pollution (from GMOs) can alter the life in the soil for ever! 3 Background General Background For the past 12,000 years, human kind has interfered with nature in different degrees to guarantee a steady stream of food. From the cultivation of wheat to the domestication of wild animals, humans have manipulated nature for their advantage and survival. Consequently, this has led to a more continuous and reliable source of food that allowed humanity to establish civilizations, pursue knowledge and create the world we know today. Unfortunately, for all the advancements we have accomplished a large portion of the worlds population lives in hunger. As a civilized society, it is our duty and responsibility to try to eradicate hunger and try to raise the standards of less fortunate nations. Farmers, eager to increase their crop yields and number of livestock, have adopted different new methods and technologies with hopes of success. Overall, their efforts have been outstripped by the increase in the worlds population and the failure of some of the technologies to live up to their promises. Over the years, the use of chemicals, pesticides and herbicides has grown to an unprecedented degree. This has led to problems not envisioned by society, such as, soil and water pollution due to overuse, resistance to herbicides and pesticides by organisms, mutagenicity and even resistant forms of bacteria. Today, there have emerged two competing solutions for the farmers woes, Genetically Modified Organisms and Organic farming. Both solutions have their supporters and their detractors. Simply put, Organic Farming is farming without the use of chemicals and farming with GMOs is using genetically modified crops to increase yields and lower the use of chemicals, herbicides and pesticides. Genetically Modified Organism Background The promise of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or Genetically Modified Foods (GMFs) is increased yields from agriculture, more powerful control of pests and weeds, reduced use of agrochemicals and enhanced nutritional value. The agro-biotechnology industry has announced a revolution: it promises to increase world food production and reduce the requirements for water and other natural resources. Reduction of atmospheric emissions and chemical contamination of soils may be achieved. Another accomplishment this revolution promises is an abundant nutritionally improved diet for malnourished populations. Central to this revolution is genetically modified food (GMF)4. That is the promise of GMOs. Essentially, the process of genetically modifying a plant starts with a piece of DNA that has been isolated from an animal, another plant or a bacterium. This isolated piece of DNA can code for a protein, which has a specific function and could impart the ability of a plant to resist insects, grow at an accelerated rate, require less water and resist disease and chemicals. The isolated DNA, or gene, is then placed into a plant cell. As a result, the plant growing from this modified cell, carries the inserted gene and is enhanced to express new traits; however, the plants exhibit traits that are not possible under natural conditions. In the U. S, GMOs have found their way into a large portion of processed foods. As of January 2002, 5. 5 million farmers worldwide mainly in the U. S, Argentina, Canada and China now grow GM crops covering more than 50 million hectares. And with the vast countries like Indonesia about to join the GM club, next years leap could be bigger still. 5 Meaning, two thirds of all U. S processed foods have GM ingredients and 70-80 million acres of land is growing GM crops. This represents approximately 25% of agricultural lands in the U. S. Furthermore, products such as soybeans, corn, tomatoes and rapeseed (canola), have been genetically modified and are currently in the processed food chain. The problem is not that these products are on the market but, there are no labeling requirements, and today Genetically Modified Foods fill our supermarket shelves, our kitchens and restaurants. Sadly, few consumers are aware this has been going on. 6 The use of GMOs and GMFs is by no means universally accepted. While the U. S has adopted a very aggressive GMO and GMF program, with voluntary labeling, other countries have adopted a more conservative approach. Virtually all of the European nations, many Latin American countries as well as countries in the Near East and Asia have partially banned, restricted or imposed a moratorium on the use of GMOs or GMFs. Many countries require labels indicating that the food has been Genetically Engineered and impose severe legal penalties for non-compliance. Organic Farming Background.

Welfare :: essays papers

Welfare Welfare is a government program that provides money, medical care, food, housing, and other things that people need in order to survive. People who can receive help from these welfare programs are children, elders, disabled, and others who cannot support their families on their current income. Another name for welfare is public assistance. There are many organizations that supply this public assistance. Such as Salvation Army and other groups. Public assistance benefits help many people who live below the poverty line, an income level is established for families. If your income were below this you would be eligible to receive this help. Federal and state governments in the Unites States serve the poor people through about 60 public assistance programs. Most people receive help through one of the four major programs. These programs are Medicaid, Aid to families with dependent Children, Social Security, or Supplemental Security, or the food stamps program. I will discuss the four programs individually. Medicaid provides free medical care to the poor people. Funds vary from state to state. In some situations, people who may be able to pay daily needs, but can't afford large medical bills may also be able to receive Medicaid. Some services paid for are bills such as doctor's visits and nursing home care. Most Medicaid funding comes from the federal government. The rest is supplied by the state. Each state runs their own Medicaid program. A.F.D.C. provides cash benefits to dependent children and the parents or the guardians taking care of them. Most families that qualify for A.F.D.C. have just one parent in the home. About 80 percent of these families are headed by a woman. A.F.D.C. also pays benefits to two-parent families if both parents are unemployed. Most A.F.D.C. funding comes from the federal government. The states provide the rest of the money and administer the program. The sizes of families' payment vary from state to state. Next is Social Security Income. This provides financial Aid to people in need who are at least 65 years old, blind, or disabled. The federal government finances and administers social security income programs in most states, though some states supply the federal payment and are able to Welfare :: essays papers Welfare Welfare is a government program that provides money, medical care, food, housing, and other things that people need in order to survive. People who can receive help from these welfare programs are children, elders, disabled, and others who cannot support their families on their current income. Another name for welfare is public assistance. There are many organizations that supply this public assistance. Such as Salvation Army and other groups. Public assistance benefits help many people who live below the poverty line, an income level is established for families. If your income were below this you would be eligible to receive this help. Federal and state governments in the Unites States serve the poor people through about 60 public assistance programs. Most people receive help through one of the four major programs. These programs are Medicaid, Aid to families with dependent Children, Social Security, or Supplemental Security, or the food stamps program. I will discuss the four programs individually. Medicaid provides free medical care to the poor people. Funds vary from state to state. In some situations, people who may be able to pay daily needs, but can't afford large medical bills may also be able to receive Medicaid. Some services paid for are bills such as doctor's visits and nursing home care. Most Medicaid funding comes from the federal government. The rest is supplied by the state. Each state runs their own Medicaid program. A.F.D.C. provides cash benefits to dependent children and the parents or the guardians taking care of them. Most families that qualify for A.F.D.C. have just one parent in the home. About 80 percent of these families are headed by a woman. A.F.D.C. also pays benefits to two-parent families if both parents are unemployed. Most A.F.D.C. funding comes from the federal government. The states provide the rest of the money and administer the program. The sizes of families' payment vary from state to state. Next is Social Security Income. This provides financial Aid to people in need who are at least 65 years old, blind, or disabled. The federal government finances and administers social security income programs in most states, though some states supply the federal payment and are able to

Destroys Oedipus Essay

â€Å"Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown†. Some people think that fate is an unavoidable part of every characters life. Every creature has to die; it is either sooner or later. No matter what fate is destined for someone, human wilfulness is like a virus that can make a life end faster than it should. Yes, fate contributes to the end but the wilfulness also can bring a person’s life to an end. End is equal to destruction. At the same time, the end for Oedipus also represented discovering his own self- knowledge. Destiny of Oedipus is equal to the truth. Theban legend believed strongly in the inevitability of fate. Throughout the course of king Oedipus’s life† he was destined one day to kill his father and to become his own mother’s husband (this prophecy made by Apollo) seem inescapable. Surely, fate put him in the certain places, at certain times. However, it’s his choices and action that ultimately lead to his downfall. People have free will but fate also plays a part in human life. Sophocles, in this play demonstrates how fate and human choice are closely linked. Oedipus had been told about his unavoidable prophecy however he tried to use his free will and choice to determine his destiny. He loved his parents Polybus and Merope, and so used his free will to choose to fled to avoid fulfilling the prophecy. Again fate plays a part driving him towards Thebes and it is fate that means he meets Lauis. However, it is not fate but Oedipus’ temper and pride (his human failing) which forces him to murder his own father â€Å"I was angry and every man of them there I killed. † If only Oedipus could control his temper, perhaps he could alter the course of his life. â€Å"I Oedipus, whose name is known afar†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ † I grieve for you my children†, clearly it is his excessive to his pride that give him power to search for a † polluter of the land† also searches for his own identity. He acknowledge that â€Å"I will fight for Laius as if he was my father† †¦ â€Å"If anyone of you knows whose hand it was that killed Laius, let him declare it fully now to me† this is a strong dramatic irony provided by Sophocle that make our audience laugh in tear and yet fell pity for Oedipus who about to set the destruction for him self. Since Oedipus is unaware of his self knowledge which eventually lead to his own banishment â€Å"his fate will be nothing worse than banishment†. He is constantly told by Jocasta â€Å"In God’s name- if you want to live, this must not go on†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ † Doomed man! O never live to learn the true! † Teriesias â€Å"You are living in ignorance of you own undoing† and the Shephard † by all the Gods, master, ask me no more! † not to continues with his search. Oedipus is stubborn â€Å"I must pursue this trail to the end, till I have unraveled the mystery of my birth† and does not care what the consequences will be of finding out his true identity. Oedipus is obsessive about the truth. Once he finds out the true Oedipus blinds himself as punishment. This tragic destruction is the fault of Oedipus strong human faults not the word of Gods. â€Å"Oedipus believed that he is the son of the unreachable Gods, also he had the power to do every thing as the Gods requisite. â€Å"I count myself the son of chance†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"What the gods required upon my honor it shall be done†. Here he have not seen himself as a moral (a normal human being), he is still dreaming that he’s the â€Å"great and glorious†, which he challenge himself to fulfill the word of gods. The moment he take duty of the Gods to help the people of Thebes, and willing to search for the murder of Liaus. This is also the end of the road for Oedipus where he can’t run or hide from his fate no more â€Å"what will be will be†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"Fate has come to me†, he trap, collapse and transform back to his real self (real image) which is â€Å"your enemy is yourself† and â€Å"bring (his) death† of his own destruction. Also, we have Jocasta who is distrustful of the oracles until the end of the play. Firstly, she challenge the gods by killed her very first son with the hope to avoid the terrible fate. How can a mother have the heart to do such thing? Surely, Sophocle had treated her very unfairly. Why did Sophocle created such person with no humanity, by the moment that her husband disappeared from Thebes, she had not keen enough to show her love to her husband by † bring everything into light†, instead she just marriage to a new hero ( Oedipus) to continues with her royal life. Even the last minutes she still denies her family fate, where we saw her chose the easy way which commits suicide â€Å"Count no (mankind) happy until (they) die†¦ Which is against what Gods want her to do: to live with Oedipus forever in an ultimately relationship. Her refusal to face life with the knowledge of her family arrangements was weak. By dying she left Oedipus to deal with the shame and humiliation on his own. Her human failings play a major part in the destruction of Oedipus. Fate does play a part in Oedipus destiny. However it is Oedipus’ hamartia, (his moral failing) made up of obsession, anger, aggression and hubris which lead to his destruction. Bringing out the true when combined with the human weaknesses and failings Jocasta, Oedipus now no longer rules and he was banished from Thebes. Oedipus rose above the power of the Gods and took charge of his own life. The audience of this play will always see the hero in Oedipus but with failings all humans possess.

Case Law Nebosh - 1198 Words

Case – British Railways board Vs Herrington Relevance - Trespasser duty of care - Common humanity - Occupiers liability act 1984 Facts - Railway line operated by BRB ran through property open to public - Fences were in poor repair - 1965 children seen on line - Child severely injured when he stepped on line after passing through broken fence - Plaintiff claimed damages for negligence Ruling - House of lords held over trespassers, a duty to take steps as common humanity to avert danger i.e. fix the fence If the presence of trespassers is known or foreseeable, step must be taken Case – Paris Vs Stepney Borough Council Relevance - Duty to individuals Facts - Plaintiff employed by the defendants - He only had use†¦show more content†¦ee accepted the risk) - House of Lords found that there was evidence that claimant had volunteered for the risk of injury - Claim was successful Case – Donoghue Vs Stevenson Relevance - Duty of care – concept of the Neighbour Principle Details - Claimant (Donoghue) fell ill when she drank a bottle of ginger beer which contained a decomposed snail - The bottle was opaque she had no idea that the bottle contained a decomposed snail - The claimant’s friend purchased the bottle - Claimant sued manufacturer - Manufacturer claimed that there was no contract between them as the claimant’s friend purchased the bottle Decision - Damages awarded to claimant Neighbor’s principle – extent of duty of care, who is my neighbour - You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee that would be likely to injure your neighbor - Case – Latimer Vs A.E.C Relevance - ‘Properly maintained’ reasonable ‘safe place of work’ Details - Severe thunderstorm flooded factory - Floor became slippery - Quantity of sawdust was used to clear up, but insufficient held - Latimer slipped on floor sought damages using factories act that floors must be ‘properly maintained’ Decision - Latimer lost case - Court found that normally floor was fine and employer had taken reasonable steps to deal with the danger to employees - Case – Marshall Vs Gotham Co (gypsum mine) Relevance - ‘Practicable as againstShow MoreRelatedNebosh Diploma Unit D Assignment Guidance3683 Words   |  15 PagesNational Diploma Examiners Report Guidance - Unit D Examiners’ Report Guidance NEBOSH NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Unit D and ID Assignments CONTENTS Introduction 2 Unit D and ID Assignments 3 ïÆ' £ 2011 NEBOSH, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1QW tel: 0116 263 4700 fax: 0116 282 4000 email: info@nebosh.org.uk website: www.nebosh.org.uk The National Examination Board in Occupational SafetyRead MoreNebosh International Diploma5370 Words   |  22 PagesJan 2012 Examiners’ Report NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety (Unit IA) Examiners’ Report NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Unit IA: International management of health and safety JANUARY 2012 CONTENTS Introduction 2 General comments 3 Comments on individual questions 4 ïÆ' £ 2012 NEBOSH, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1QW tel: 0116 263 4700 fax: 0116 282 4000 email: info@nebosh.org.uk website: www.nebosh.org.uk Read MoreNebosh IGC 14342 Words   |  18 PagesNEBOSH(IGC-1) TOPIC FOCUS ELE-1 TO ELE-5 1. 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