Dimensions to Political Thinking Human Equality, Power, and Order

Fuel Tax Essay Example

Fuel Tax Essay Example Fuel Tax Essay Fuel Tax Essay Do you just want cheaper fuel to increase your income? To become a popular Government? Squeeze more profit for your firm? Protect the environment? Break car dependence? These questions are a sign of the ever-increasing pressure for and against a reduction in fuel tax. The governments reluctance to openly discuss its policy has caused a real clouding of the arguments causing a general sense of frustration. This essay addresses both sides of the arena in the pursuit of bringing clarity and reason to an emotional topic. This essay uses the term petrol as defined to be a flammable fuel used in internal combustion engines(Oxford Con Dic, 1989: 425), thus including diesel, as well as unleaded vehicles. The issues that are covered are externalities, tax, public transport, who the tax effects, and utility. The arguments are ordered against a reduction then for a reduction. Over the last 30 years, with the rise of environmental awareness, the externalities connected with the use of motor vehicles have caused major concern to society and has presented a strong argument against a reduction in petrol tax. Pigovian taxes are the best way to correct for the negative impact of externalities by taking into account the social costs of using petrol to such a great extent. These social costs: health, congestion, environmental breakdown and accidents all need correcting. Every time you burn petrol you generate pollution in the atmosphere with carbon dioxide, thus increasing global warming and health problems e.g. asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders. Congestion causes lost opportunity costs from unproductive time wasted. Accidents cannot be measured accurately as the loss of intellectual productivity cannot account for future possibilities. The best way is to allocate efficiency with social cost added to the pricing model. : As we see in figure 1: The marginal private cost curve is MPC. D is also the marginal benefit curve. Marginal cost exceeds MPC. In a competitive market, output is Qo, price is Po. When a Pigovian tax is imposed to show the social costs, then MSC becomes the MC for suppliers decisions. The price rises to P1 and the quantity falls to Q1: the point of allocation efficiency (Parkin, King 1995: 527). With the market failure and the externalities addressed the government can gather the tax revenue and tackle the social costs with revenue generated, which brings the price into alignment with their external costs. To look closer at the nature of tax and its winners and losers will reveal that all the tax is past onto the consumer in accordance with its inelastic properties. As the rules of tax state, with the fall in quantity demanded being smaller than the price reduction (in percentages). The consumer will be saddled with the larger cut of tax in the short run and all the tax in the long run. Therefore, the consumer is paying for all the externalities and the firm that profits from supplying petrol: pays nothing. As seen above in figure 1, there is a dead weight loss, which is caused from the reduction in the quantity demanded. This welfare loss has been minimized, however, this shows the petrol sectors ability to sustain large tax increases. The lack of response by motorists to the increases in the price of petrol causes the tax to become very appealing for revenue generation. The quantity demanded does not drop much after a tax increase. This shows how large amounts of money can be raised easily. In 1999/2000, fuel duties (excluding VAT) raised à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½22.3 billion, which is 6% of the total governments revenue (HM Treasury 46: 2000). The market for fuel is able the bear a large tax charge and the extent of the market is sizable too. Six pence on all road fuel duties raises as much money as one penny on the basic rate of income tax (HM Treasury 44: 1999). The suppliers and the government are seen to raise huge amounts of revenue from highly taxed petrol. In response to the argument for a reduction in petrol tax as the large amounts of revenue generate seem excessive and appear to be public and private profiteering. With the revenue being re-invested in infrastructure as the government is committed to doing. In the Chancellors Pre-Budget Speech in November 1999, [we] are now in a position instead of the pre-announced 6 per cent escalator-to make our decisions Budget by Budget with the following commitment: if there are any real term rises in road fuel duties, the revenues will go straight to a ring-fenced fund for the modernisation of roads and public transport (Smith, 2000; 8) These pledged billions give the vehicle user a real choice. The need to break car dependency and shift back the demand curve back instead of a taxing shift along the demand curve will reduce drivers by more. See figure 2: The option of substitute transport will make the driver fell they do have a choice to private vehicles. Investment of the revenue from petrol tax is a great asset. Much more than the revenue from the mandatory car tax gives. These improvements are necessary, as the infrastructure needs modernizing. This alternative will drop demand by giving a substitute drivers can rely on. The haulage industry will use it to put its freight back on the railways, if confidence were restored. A solid public transport system reduces demand without tax by using the revenue to change behaviour on petrol reliance. People are not adverse to tax increases if they know where the money is being spent. There is no way to guarantee that the money allocated to spending on roads and public transport is actually going to be spent in these areas. With the state of the rail system, the amount of congestion and the crackdown on accidents by fines, which many see as a new source of revenue, we are not seeing the benefits from the high petrol taxes: the highest in Europe. See figure 3: Unleaded petrol UK 55.47 Netherlands 44.84 Italy 42.93 Germany 40.12 Austria 32.35 Spain 28.04 Figure 3. European petrol duty and VAT, pence per litre With these high prices drivers expect to see improvements. This is the essence of their frustration. The modernization the government speaks of has not shown many tangible results. The alternative transport needed has not improved enough to encourage drivers to alter their actions and onto public transport. The cost of living taken across different household groups shows that an increase on petrol tax hits the poorest car owner, as well as, rural dwellers (Smith, 2000: 4). These are the people that need a substitute of public transport. Their incomes and budget constraints are the most susceptible to price rises. The governments lack of results in modernizing and producing a good transport alternative are just rationalizations for easy revenue. As with firms supplying homogeneous product we should be aware of the likelihood for them to maximise their profits in the event of a reduction in petrol tax. If the government were to give a 10 percent decrease in fuel tax the firms would not pass on all the savings to the customer. The small differences in price on the petrol forecourt do suggest price fixing, although illegal, it is difficult to prove. The petrol suppliers might, for example, pass on an 8 percent reduction and profit from the other 2 percent. This is a problem in a homogeneous market with few firms, indicative of the markets for natural resources. Although petrol users are also trying to increase their position by fuel tax being reduced. The Government are looking after all interests. These three groups are all willing to maximise their utility. As well as income utility there is utility as a quantitative measure of psychological satisfaction (Etrzioni, Lawrence, 1991: 86) present. The chance of promotion from mak ing more profits, getting something cheaper, or covering short falls in other public services are all difficult to value in financial terms. The inter conflict of interest will not allow for mutually beneficial trade. Rational self-interest depends in which of these groups you are, and to the same extent if you think this is an argument for or against a petrol tax reduction. In conclusion, we have seen that the taxes on petrol are in place to correct externalities by bringing adding social costs to show the real cost of vehicle use. This in turn has shown the petrol market to be one of high taxation with its inelastic nature. The revenue generated would regenerate the public transport sector to allow for alternative travel, although governments have failed to deliver. Tax affects vehicle users who need a substitute for car travel the most. And finally we saw utility maximisation pulling the debate in all directions. Tax reduction maybe a personal issue but there are rational arguments which need addressing to come to a solution in the best interests of society.

Should Parental Consent be required for a Minor to Obtain an Abortion Research Paper

Should Parental Consent be required for a Minor to Obtain an Abortion - Research Paper Example There are laws that restrict a teenager’s access to abortion. In many US states, there are laws that restrict minors under the age of 18 years from procuring an abortion unless their parents’ consent is obtained or they have involved the court. These laws take two forms. Some laws require a physician to seek a parent’s consent before procuring abortion on a minor (Cartoof & Klerman, 2011). Other laws require the parents to be notified before the procedure is performed. Parental involvement is primarily meant to protect the minors. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Judges Kennedy, O’Connor, and Souter were of the view that parental involvement and consent is intended to protect the children. The case was based on an assumption that minors will benefit from consultation with parents since parents have their best interests at heart. A study conducted by national researchers concluded that parents display a disappointment when their minors’ report pregnancy cases. However, parents don’t respond with violence, but parental stress is the most probable result of such announcements. Claims that minors may resort to unsafe alternatives, is untrue. A study of self-induced medical abortions in 2007 revealed this fact. In fact, many people who used such methods were adults! No cases were reported where minors resorted to unsafe abortion procedures after disclosing their pregnancy to their parents (Murphy, 2014). It has been established that many juvenile pregnancies result from rape or coercion. In fact, National studies reveal that 70% of teenage pregnancies result from adult sexual partners. These adults may want the minors to procure abortions to save themselves from lawful consequences. Laws on parental consent on abortions prevent such predatory practices on children. The Supreme Court succinctly explains why or how minors benefit from parental involvement.

Business Through The Eyes of Faith Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Through The Eyes of Faith - Essay Example This is a company formed in 1987, which has over time provided critical technological services to markets, administrations, institutions, and more (Business: Is There A Christian Perspective p. 15). Management team at the company is largely Christians and in equal measure pursues Christian principles in their activities. The expression made in this case is that, business is part of Christian activity that cannot be separated from the wider role and duty of Christians. Business is a social activity and the essence for it to act morally and ethically is inevitable. Christians and the larger human body that have direct or indirect involvement in business have a duty to honor God by pursuing ethical and moral business practices at all times. People can honor and remain obedient to God when they shoe ethical and moral value of their business activities. When one honors God’s creation (the people) then the person in same measure is able to honor God. Ethics and morals are seen to be fundamental principles that define success or failure of any particular given business, although, it has to be known that an individual or a corporation can have strong ethical values and morals but still fail to achieve its objectives when it ignores multi-dimensional perspective of the business. The author of this chapter introduces the concept of ‘Law of Nature’ which he subsequently transforms into an argument based on moral laws. The author contends that Law of Nature is a creation of a human who in one way or the other tries to control or manipulates the behavior of the other human being (The Law of Human Nature 1). Laws of Nature are intended to define what is right and what is wrong, thereby categorizing the appropriate behaviors, which society can accept or not (The Law of Human Nature p.1). Although Laws of Nature provide these guidelines for appropriate behavior, they

Is globalization a net benefit or disadvantage to the international Essay

Is globalization a net benefit or disadvantage to the international system - Essay Example 23), which is a symbol of unifying entities using selected ideologies. However, so many debates concerning the issues of whether globalization is of any benefits to the world or if it has negative impacts on international systems. So many arguments relate structural violence to globalization. In developed countries, such a situation helps them in overcoming most economic barriers (Guehenno: pp. 28). This notion has brought â€Å"westernization† because such countries have overpowered the international markets. In this case, structural violence disrupts peace globally. In return, such violence gives birth to disparity a catalyst to major conflicts. This could be the reason as to why there is widespread social polarization in the current international system. Through globalization, there is an evidence of imbalance in power in the international systems. Such imbalances lead to suspicions among countries, which in turn increase foreign policy costs and creating new kinds of threats (Baylis, Smith S. & Owens: pp. 110). The assumptions on threats are due to the change in global security. Already, the internet, intercontinental airlines, most media houses and international companies are among the pace setters in globalization. These global landmarks have led to interdependence. For this reason, countries are less concerned with the provision of security to other countries unless where they feel threatened. Nations with a common interest seem to gang up together with the aim of maximizing on the global nature by influencing most security matters. This, according to the arguments made by the Neo-Marxists, leads to inequality. A combination of all these issues revolving around structural violence results to global instability. The status of a nation in an international system is greatly affected by globalization. Through centralization, most states are under threat of losing monopoly

Extreme Weather Events In The Uk Environmental Sciences Essay

Extreme Weather Events In The Uk Environmental Sciences Essay Intro: Global Warming is an undisputable cause of climate change in which the major cause of climate change is mostly induced by humans (anthropogenic), and not simply by the natural course of nature. The severity of its effects to weather conditions is always increasing day by day. Extreme weather conditions may range from floodings, heatwaves, droughts and other severe weather conditions. We are now experiencing each year drier plus burning summer seasons due to the increase in heat waves and global warming, whilst we have warmer plus rainier winters as a result of increased rain, snow and hail precipitation. Even stormy weather is on the increase. [1- 4] Who does it affect?: This issue of random extreme weather conditions affects everyone in every national and local communities across the world (even in the UK), particularly the most vulnerable people.. Disruption to the normal farming conditions due to random climate change will cause an imbalance to the soil quality which will mean that crops will not be able to grow[5], and fewer animals will be fit for consumption due to the increase of food poisoning and water borne diseases, therefore farmers will lose out on potential job earnings. This will make farmers less likely to keep up with their bills and live less comfortably due to the reduced income. At the same time, it will affect us as there will a shortage of good, nutritional food. They may resort to increasing food prices. Since farmers supply food for many different food companies, it could indirectly pose problems to companies regarding the supply of food and marketing of their food products. Drought which is the result of increasing global temperatures can severely affect water supply companies. Water supply companies may increase their water usage prices by at least 5 percent each year[6] due to the drought and the ever increasing demand of water. Climate change and extreme weather can affect our health and make us more susceptible to much more illnesses than now and even cause death. Examples of illness conditions are hay fever, cataracts and skin cancer. It could even cause occurrences of Dengue fever and West Nile virus which are tropical diseases not normally found in the UK.[7] Temperature rises and heatwaves are becoming more frequent than usual. The Met Office conducted an interesting research which showed Englands highest temperature recorded in a day. One of the figures was particularly striking which was found in Kent from the southern part of England. It revealed that Kent had the highest temperature recorded in January 2003 which was 17.6 degrees, and 38.6 degrees in August 2003 showing a shocking 21 degrees increase in just above 6 months.[7] Such extreme temperatures can present health problems to these vulnerable people. When exposed to heat long enough, Heat exhaustion may result to these people and possibly may lead to dehydration and even heatstroke which is a life threatening medical condition. Also, it will increase the amount of harmful UV radiation contacting our skins so increasing our skin cancer risk. Since Britain may experience further increase in temperatures in the near future, this problem needs much attention. Moreover, the heatwaves may induce power cuts and increase water demand which will affect everyone including business people. Technology and water are in ever increasing demand therefore disabling the available technology around us due to power cuts, more droughts and increasing water bills may cause severe problems in our ability to cope without them at work and leisure. Also if business buildings are severely damaged, they may build a new building at another site which may cost more money than minor repair. Not only does it affect us humans, it affects plant and animal life too. More heatwaves and other severe weather conditions will increase the incidence of forest wildfires, contamination of river water and damage to habitats. This will harm the plant and animal wildlife and they may struggle to survive. It will ultimately lead to affecting our lifestyles in the long term.[8] Examples of damaging cases: In the UK (England and Wales), floods that occurred at Autumn in the year 2000 between October to November have resulted in massive damages which have costed at least  £1.3 billion.[1] That autumn was the wettest autumn season ever recorded since 1766, demonstrating more than 500mm of rainfall between September to November, and insurance claims up to  £3.5 billion were called for as a result of at least 10,000 flooded homes.[1, 3] . Another case in the UK that is increasing even today is in the farming industry. Due to climate change, there is now a rapid growth of certain parasitic worms particularly the Helminth family that are affecting cattle and sheep livestock (affects both young and adult livestock). The most common Helminths are the roundworms (gastrointestinal nematodes) and the flatworms (flukes). The roundworms are thought to drastically reproduce far more quickly in higher temperatures and adapt very well to its surroundings due to its biotic potential and genetic diversity.[9-10] This means that they can potentially thrive in all four seasons. Global Warming may increase mean daily temperatures and therefore cause a upsurge in the reproducing rate of roundworms.[9] A specific roundworm species called Teladorsagia grows really fast in the Spring and have been causing heavy damage to young lambs and even death in South East Scotland.[10] There had been an outbreak in 2004 of another specific roundworm called Nematodirus battus, which have adapted to the Scottish weather so that they grow not only in Summer but also Autumn and Winter. They have been seen in young and old lambs.[10] Furthermore, the European heatwave that the UK experienced in August 2003 was the hottest heatwave ever recorded. Altogether in Europe, 20,000 people died because of the heatwave. Out of this, a minimum of 2,000 people from the UK died as a result of excessive heat. One third of the 2,000 deaths in the UK were associated with air pollution. It even affected roads, train services, water and energy suppliers plus farmers. [11] Not only that, home building foundations (subsidence) were being damaged due to the drying of water from the soil and building foundations causing cracks to form and non-level home foundations. The subsidence insurance claims soared up to  £400 million. [12] Vulnerability of certain people types: In the UK, the magnitude of Heatwaves and rising sea levels (which may lead to larger wave heights, more floods and faster coastal erosion) are rising. Heatwave effects may be particularly significant in the South and East parts of the UK. These extreme weather conditions pose certain vulnerable individuals who:[2, 4] have low income support They cannot afford to buy accessories and other essential items that may help against short term and long term extreme weather problems. live in low quality constructed houses (particularly more found in coastal regions)- buildings will trap the heat, making their homes hotter and more susceptible to weaker house foundations. are elderly or quite young -more susceptibility to disease due to weaker immune systems. have poor health due to illness may increase their chances of catching other major or minor diseases, especially in cities. are isolated from social links finding environmental, social and emergency help may be harder live near the coastal regions -particularly in the East part of England as these coast have low lying, soft sediment coasts that erode much more quicker. Who live in cities referred as urban heat islands, which means that urban areas produce more heat than countryside towns. Makes them more susceptible to illnesses and possibly cause city infrastructure problems.[13] Cause of severe climate change and science: Many scientists agree that the major cause of the drastic climate change, global warming and extreme weather conditions are due to pollution mainly by certain human activities (anthropogenic) that emit greenhouse gases (nitrous oxide, water vapour, methane and carbon dioxide (CO2)). Of course there are natural equilibriums such as the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle and the water cycle that tries to balance the levels of these gases. Also, the ozone layer (O3) helps protect us from the harmful UV radiation from the sun. But these natural equilibriums have been disturbed by human activities. So now temperatures and sea levels are rising (glaciers in the Antarctica are melting as proof). [14-20] A few examples of the human activity that has damaged the natural cycles are:[14-20] the cutting of trees (deforestation) increases the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to burning of trees. Trees are important in the absorption of carbon dioxide and water from the environment using the process called photosynthesis to release oxygen (O2) to the environment. driving cars, buses and other transport (especially airplanes) build-up of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere. Accounts for 21% of the emission of greenhouse gases in the UK. industrial cooling towers- increases the amount of heated water into the atmosphere. use of fertilisers and pesticides for farming the ones that contain nitrogen increase the levels of nitrogen in the biosphere via contamination of water due to heavy rainfall. Therefore it affects humans, fish and animals. Accounts for 8% of the emission of greenhouse gases in the UK. Burning of fossil fuels done to produce energy. The biggest contributor in the UK of releasing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere (65%). aerosols that contain CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) the CFCs are sent to the atmosphere in which the UV radiation frees the chlorine from the CFC. This chlorine damages the ozone (O3) layer in the atmosphere. Some may argue that natural causes are significant to the climate change effects. It is known that eruption of volcanoes, the output energy of the sun, ocean currents and Earths orbit changes do contribute to this but only play a minor role.[17,20] Who can influence change?: The UK Government can help with the mitigation and adaptation strategies for sustainability development which includes social, environmental and economic improvements. Mitigation is trying to reduce the levels of greenhouse gases in order to reduce the temperature rises. Adaptation involves doing things differently in our lives to reduce the level of greenhouse gases. They must consult with other business leaders and organisations to ensure mitigation and adaptation strategies are implemented for sustainability. It could help the UK unemployment issue whilst helping biodiversity. However, greener solutions may require lots of financial and political help to implement them, which is the challenge. They need to use short and long term strategies for success. What currently is happening and what extras can be done? A study found that London was producing 44.71 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2008 from which major culprit the business workplaces contributed by a shocking 19.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide(43% of total). Also, homes and transport were emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide. The Mayor of Londons mitigation strategy to climate change is to lower London CO2 levels by 60% for 2025. It is currently under public consultation but sounds promising. The mitigation programmes include RE:FIT, RE:CONNECT, RE:NEW, the Green500, Electric Vehicle Rollout and Operation Decentralised Energy. It will involve installing new energy saving technology at businesses and homes, encouraging community to reduce CO2 levels, recycling waste into energy and get 1,000 electric vehicles and more. [21] Advantages are that it explores different ways that can bring a change in CO2 levels so results can be seen relatively quick, it may provide many jobs in a variety of sectors for the unemployed as it is a concerning issue in the UK, the scheme is easy to follow, helps people save more money in the long term. It may have problems with the project being expensive and refuelling electric or hydrogen fuelled vehicles as it may take longer. Overcoming resistance needs more public awareness about the benefits, business and public role models to show public being greener is possible, and easy. The Queen made a speech recently in which she said that policies and legislations of the energy security and green economy Bill are to be introduced and implemented by the Government into homes and business across the UK. This will enable more use of energy efficient technology whilst ensuring management of energy supply to keep up with energy demand, reduce greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide, encourage people to coincide with the demands set by the Government, and fund more projects that help the economy whilst reducing greenhouse gases via the Green Investment Bank.[22] This sounds like a good idea for mitigation and adaptation towards climate change. In the UK, Business and Government Leaders like David Cameron need to encourage greener jobs for benefit of the environment, economy and society. Unemployment still is a big issue across the world. Many people including graduates are claiming unemployment benefits and are unable to find work due to the credit crunch. Women are especially finding it difficult. In March 2011, the number of men on the benefits are 988,200 whilst number of women are 462,300.[23] Recently, The Green Economy Council have fetched big business leaders (eg. Joe Greenwell, chairman of Ford UK) in its council to provide professional advice to the Government on policies that affect green business infrastructure, investment and regulation. They are setting up policies like Green Deal which may open a thousand new jobs. But policies need to be clearer on low carbon economy. [24-26] They have not considered solar energy which has the potential to thrive. Mazhar Bari of SolarPrint said in 10 years, it could create 10,000 jobs, à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬1 billion of exports and à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬140 million of annual tax revenue.[27] Public Biodiversity awareness needs to be more focused in the UK particularly to the medium/low class people due to low income. Certain celebrities can probably help with this. Solutions need to be easy, practical, involve little effort and cheap. Health adaptation policies look good like the Heatwave Plan, Climate Change Act 2008 and the Annual Public Health Report of the Director of Public Health 2010 have been introduced to help healthcare professionals and public adapt to climate change and help health sector Government bodies and media to raise awareness of solutions. Also, diet and health advice to public is given by healthcare professionals. [28,29] As far as farming is concerned in the UK, the Common Agricultural Policy needs to be reviewed again by DEFRA to convince the Government the benefits of the scheme.[30] Funding cuts to UK flood defence may have serious consequences as those seen in November 2010 at Cornwall where 5 million poor people were at risk from flood damage. I think some property insurance cover and belongings can help in advance of flooding event so that less money is spent in aid. [31] Conclusion: Much effort still needs to be done by everyone, although the Government and others have actively tried to reach sustainable development through mitigation and adaptive approaches. They seem to be in the correct frame of mind but farming and flood aid strategies still needs to be tackled.

Cloning :: essays research papers

Someone once said that if you give someone an inch they would take a foot. Biotechnologist would like to receive an inch of allowance from the government to start the cloning process here in the United States. The fear, however, that cloning may become too advanced is a relevant response. Cloning is the copying of genes, or DNA, of one organism to be used in the creation of an identical one. It is similar to genetic engineering, which is the manipulation of the genes. HOW IS CLONING DONE Cloning is said to be used for many positive reasons, but the fact remains that it has an equal, if not greater amount of negative side effects. Cloning is a field of science that is being taken too far and without strict regulations; it can lead to detrimental outcomes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people state that if cloning were available then the medical field be more productive and successful than it is now. The reason is that cloning can produce human beings as well as animals that can be used for testing. Testing that can lead to the discovery of the causes of damaging diseases and defects in humans and animals alike. The testing would be performed on the cloned humans and animals. PUT IN INFO ABOUT HOW THEY FIND OUT ABOUT DISEASES!   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another supposed benefit of cloning would be the reinstatement of animals that have once thought to be extinct or are currently listed as endangered. These animals through DNA that has been preserved or discovered can be recreated. For example, like in the Steven Spielberg’s movie Jurassic Park, dinosaurs were recreated through DNA found in a preserved mosquito, which had extracted blood from the dinosaur millions of years ago. Likewise, animals such as the Dodo bird that are extinct or the giant panda that is on the verge of being extinct can be recreated and brought back to life in the world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finally, another popular reason that people are pushing to allow cloning is to aid in the production of organs. It has been said that human torsos can be recreated to allow for the use of the organs from the â€Å"body.† These torsos could be created to match up with all blood types. In turn, the organs and tissue from the â€Å"body† could be used for people who wait years for organs that they so desperately need. This type of cloning could also aid the medical field in the production of extremities that may be needed for people who currently rely on artificial limbs. Cloning :: essays research papers Someone once said that if you give someone an inch they would take a foot. Biotechnologist would like to receive an inch of allowance from the government to start the cloning process here in the United States. The fear, however, that cloning may become too advanced is a relevant response. Cloning is the copying of genes, or DNA, of one organism to be used in the creation of an identical one. It is similar to genetic engineering, which is the manipulation of the genes. HOW IS CLONING DONE Cloning is said to be used for many positive reasons, but the fact remains that it has an equal, if not greater amount of negative side effects. Cloning is a field of science that is being taken too far and without strict regulations; it can lead to detrimental outcomes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people state that if cloning were available then the medical field be more productive and successful than it is now. The reason is that cloning can produce human beings as well as animals that can be used for testing. Testing that can lead to the discovery of the causes of damaging diseases and defects in humans and animals alike. The testing would be performed on the cloned humans and animals. PUT IN INFO ABOUT HOW THEY FIND OUT ABOUT DISEASES!   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another supposed benefit of cloning would be the reinstatement of animals that have once thought to be extinct or are currently listed as endangered. These animals through DNA that has been preserved or discovered can be recreated. For example, like in the Steven Spielberg’s movie Jurassic Park, dinosaurs were recreated through DNA found in a preserved mosquito, which had extracted blood from the dinosaur millions of years ago. Likewise, animals such as the Dodo bird that are extinct or the giant panda that is on the verge of being extinct can be recreated and brought back to life in the world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finally, another popular reason that people are pushing to allow cloning is to aid in the production of organs. It has been said that human torsos can be recreated to allow for the use of the organs from the â€Å"body.† These torsos could be created to match up with all blood types. In turn, the organs and tissue from the â€Å"body† could be used for people who wait years for organs that they so desperately need. This type of cloning could also aid the medical field in the production of extremities that may be needed for people who currently rely on artificial limbs.

Gender difference Essay

The article I read is â€Å"‘Health is not a man’s domain’: lay accounts of gender difference in life-expectancy in Russia†. The authors, Ilkka Pietila and Marja Rytkonen, examined the meaning of health to Russian lay people, conducting interview with 29 people aged 15-81. They concluded that the role of the individual in healthy responsibility is very weak, with a stronger emphasis on societal and governmental influence. They also found that in relation to gender, gender roles and relations are static with few alternatives despite social changes. This study was prompted by the large gender gap in life-expectancy in Russia. In 2006, the average life expectancy was 59 years for Russian men but 72 years for Russian women. Pietila and Rytkonen wanted to see if this gap was caused by gender perceptions of health and/or each other or by something else. The theoretical basis for this research is a process Frankel and Davison call ‘lay epidemiology’, which states that â€Å"individuals interpret health risks through the routine observation and discussion of cases of illness and death in personal networks and the public arena, as well as from formal and informal evidence arising from other sources, such as television and magazines (p. 071). The researchers discerned â€Å"four types of explanations: essential/naturalist explanations (biological and psychological differences), explanations related to social roles, explanations related to social change and explanations related to health behavior† (p. 1075). They also found that these explanations often centered around one health behavior: heavy drinking. This article is a great because of its discussion the masculinity behind drinking, as well as the cultural aspects yet how the women tended to see drinking as more of a health hazard then the men who participate in it. The phenomenon of the gender gap and the cultural aspects of drinking add unique curveballs to solving the health crisis in Russia today. An article like this one is very important because it illustrates factors that need to be considered when coming up with a public health policy for Russia. For example, this findings of this research would support the argument that prohibition would not work in reducing alcoholism in Russia; alcohol’s cultural significance is too strong for such a policy to have any ‘lay’ support. The article also noted its limitations. The authors only interviewed subjects in St. Petersburg, which is one of the more Westernized cities in Russia and is more likely to have an higher educated and socioeconomic population compared with the majority of Russia. The authors conceded that this population dynamic may have skewed the results. They also admit that their research sample was small (only 29 people interviewed), although they did their best to have a variety of ages and occupations within these people. One excellent point in the researcher’s methodology is the use of native-Russian speakers to conduct the interviews, and having men interview men and women interview women. The use of native speakers would allow for the nuances of language and communication to be picked up. The gender separation also nullifies the possibility that gender biases would have taken place during the interviews.

I Just Got Wise to Comprise

I Just Got Wise to Comprise I Just Got Wise to â€Å"Comprise† I Just Got Wise to â€Å"Comprise† By Mark Nichol I have a confession to make. I’ve been doing it wrong all these years. Throughout my long editing career, I have corrected writers who erroneously use the word comprise, as in â€Å"The federal government is comprised of the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches.† Comprise means â€Å"to include, to be made up of, to constitute,† so what I’ve always considered appropriate here is consists: â€Å"The federal government consists of the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches.† â€Å"Is comprised of† wrong. â€Å"Consists of† right. So far, so good. But though I usually follow the advice of various writing and editing guides that recommend, because of the perils of comprise, avoiding the use of the word altogether, I occasionally resort to it in my own writing not in the erroneous usage shown above, but on its own. However, as I discovered just today while working on a post about problem words, even then, I’ve been using it wrong all along. For some reason, somewhere along the line, I misread the dictum that when it comes to comprise, the whole comprises the parts. (â€Å"The federal government comprises the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches.†) Instead, I’ve always constructed the sentence the wrong way. (â€Å"The executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches comprise the federal government.†) See for yourself. Search for comprise on this site. I’ll wait. I (along with other DailyWritingTips.com contributors) have routinely gotten it backward. How could I misunderstand that rule in all the grammar guides I’ve read? I readily admit that I have not yet mastered the English language. While editing and while writing alike, I have to look things up all the time but I thought I had this one down. Now, you can be sure, I really do have it down (though I expect that I’ll start shaking uncontrollably every time I see . . . that word . . . and from here on out, because of this painful revelation, I’ll probably recast sentences with . . . that word . . . every time I see it- and, it should go without saying, refrain from using it myself. So, what’s the point of this post? For one thing, I want to acknowledge my error. On this site, I both prescribe and describe many rules about English usage and grammar, and I almost invariably stand by my statements when a visitor, in a comment, challenges me (or when I admit that in a given case, perhaps we’re both right). But when I’m wrong, I have to say so. I’m wrong. But there’s more to this issue: Merriam-Webster’s Online points out in a usage note that . . . that word . . . is increasingly used incorrectly (both in the reversal of â€Å"the whole . . . the parts† and in the phrasing â€Å"is . . . of†), but it advises readers against following that trend because â€Å"you may be subject to criticism for doing so.† (Oh, so William Styron can get away with it, but I can’t?) My main point is this: The English language is in flux. It always has been (at least since its inception), and it always will be (at least until its extinction). Just as languages evolve from one species to another Anglo-Saxon becomes Middle English becomes Modern English they are always, within themselves, in turmoil, and we suffer along with them. Merriam-Webster’s print and online dictionaries, in general, have a don’t-sweat-it approach when it comes to iffy usage, but my philosophy has always been to accept the dynamism of language without surrendering to usage that is both ephemeral and erroneous or that may someday be accepted but is still considered substandard in formal writing. Standards in language are like those in law: We have to be able to get along, and just as if each of us does whatever we want to in life, community shall cease, disregarding writing rules as they stand at the time will render us unable to communicate. So, when it comes to all right, I’ll say it comprise, the whole comprises the parts, not the other way around. Comprise is a one-way street. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of AdjectivesProved vs. Proven10 Humorous, Derisive, or Slang Synonyms for â€Å"Leader† or â€Å"Official†

Definition and Examples of Understatement

Definition and Examples of Understatement Definition Understatement is a  figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. Contrast with hyperbole. Jeanne Fahnestock points out that understatement (particularly in the form known as litotes) is often used for self-deprecation on the rhetors part, as when the heavily decorated war hero says I have a few medals, or someone who has just won on American Idol observes I did OK (Rhetorical Style, 2011). See Examples and Observations below. Also, see: EmphasisEuphemismIronyLitotesMeiosisTop 20 Figures of Speech Examples A soiled baby, with a neglected nose, cannot be conscientiously regarded as a thing of beauty. (Mark Twain)I have to have this operation. It isnt very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.(Holden Caulfield in The Catcher In The Rye, by J. D. Salinger)Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse.  (Jonathan Swift, A Tale of a Tub, 1704)The graves a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace. (Andrew Marvell, To His Coy Mistress)I am just going outside and may be some time. (Captain Lawrence Oates, Antarctic explorer, before walking out into a blizzard to face certain death, 1912)Vance: My, we are certainly in a good mood this morning.Pee-wee: That, my dear Vance, is the understatement of the year. Everything seems completely different to me today. The air smells so fresh. The sky seems a brand-new shade of blue. I dont think Ive ever noticed the beauty of this leaf. And Vance, have you always been so handsome?  (Wayne White and Paul Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee, 1988) This [double helix] structure has novel features which are of considerable biological interest.(Opening sentence of the Nature article announcing Crick and Watsons discovery of the structure of DNA)Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. (Anton Ego in Ratatouille, 2007)The new EU member states of Poland and Lithuania have been arguing this week for the summit to be called off, and criticizing the German preparations. For historical reasons, the east Europeans are highly sensitive to any sign of Germany cutting deals with Russia over their heads. (The Guardian, May 17, 2007)Well, thats cast rather a gloom over the evening, hasnt it?(Dinner guest, after a visit from the Grim Reaper, in Monty Pythons The Meaning of Life)The adjective cross as a description of his Jove-like wrath that consumed his whole being jarred upon Derek profoundly. It was as though Prometheus, with the vultures tearing his liver, had been asked if he were piqued. (P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless, 1922) British Understatement The British are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist bombings and threats to destroy nightclubs and airports, and therefore have raised their security level from Miffed to Peeved. Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to Irritated or even A Bit Cross. Brits have not been A Bit Cross since the Blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out.(anonymous post on the Internet, July 2007)Understatement is still in the air. It is not just a specialty of the English sense of humour; it is a way of life. When gales uproot trees and sweep away roofs of houses, you should remark that it is a bit blowy. I have just been listening to a man who got lost in a forest abroad for a week and was scrutinised by hungry wolves, smacking their lips. Was he terrified? - asked the television interviewer, obviously a man of Italian origin. The man replied that on the seventh day when there were no rescuers in sight and the sixth hungry wolf joined the pack, he got a bit worried. Y esterday, a man in charge of a home where 600 old people lived, which was found to be a fire risk where all the inhabitants might burn to death, admitted: I may have a problem. (George Mikes, How to Be a Brit. Penguin, 1986) Observations Understatement is a form of irony: the ironical contrast inheres in the discrepancy between what one would be expected to say and his actual refusal to say it.(Cleanth Brooks, Fundamentals of Good Writing: A Handbook of Modern Rhetoric. Harcourt, 1950)The use of understatement is something that satirists have a mastery of, but as a rhetorical device, we can use it to try to persuade someone by rewording a sentence in less offensive terms. For example, suppose we believe a persons idea to be in error and wish to point this out:I think there may be some additional factors that you may not have accounted for.Your analysis is far too simplistic. No one will take such an idiotic theory seriously. There are many other alternatives we could use, but consider that if we want to convince the person that they are mistaken then we need to pitch our objections accordingly. Perhaps the idea really is idiotic ... but is saying as much likely to incline them to change their opinion? For the second suggestion, it may depend on who we are talking to: a friend, say, may welcome the criticism but a stranger may not appreciate his or her thought being called simplistic, even if it is. Some people might still take offense at the first version, but the determining influences include what we want to achieve and whom we are talking to or writing for. How likely is a person to listen to our critique if they suspect we are talking down to them or dismissing them? (Heinz Duthel, History and Philosophy of Science. Lulu, 2008) Pronunciation: UN-der-STATE-ment Also Known As: litotes, diminutio

How is the music industry being affected by iTunes and similar Research Paper

How is the music industry being affected by iTunes and similar services - Research Paper Example This work "How is the music industry being affected by iTunes and similar services?" outlines how the introduction of iTunes, Amazon MP3, Napster, Zune Marketplace and Rhapsody have changed the music industry business. Instead of buying the whole CD just for one song people nowadays prefer buying their favorite single. Previously people were forced to buy the whole album of a particular artist or band on CD if they liked a particular song however now people have the choice of buying only the song they prefer instead of the whole album. This means that people save on their cost and can buy many more such singles instead of wasting their money on just a single album, whose songs they will hardly listen to except for that one song. Hence services like Amazon and iTunes allow people to choose amongst various songs from a plethora of songs in their database. With services such as iTunes, music has become increasingly accessible for the consumers. It is now very easy to transfer your favor ite song to your handheld device allowing you to listen to your favorite song on the go. Instead of going to the neighborhood’s music shop to buy the album that had your favorite song now you can just sit at home and buy your favorite song online. Artists who worked hard on making their whole album a success are at a disadvantage as others can easily steal their spotlight by introducing their one single hit and then disappearing into anonymity. This has led to a decline in the artists’ creativity.... This means that people save on their cost and can buy many more such singles instead of wasting their money on just a single album, whose songs they will hardly listen to except for that one song. Hence services like Amazon and iTunes allow people to choose amongst various songs from a plethora of songs in their database. With services such as iTunes, music has become increasingly accessible for the consumers. It is now very easy to transfer your favorite song to your handheld device allowing you to listen to your favorite song on the go. Instead of going to the neighborhood’s music shop to buy the album that had your favorite song now you can just sit at home and buy your favorite song online. Artists who worked hard on making their whole album a success are at a disadvantage as others can easily steal their spotlight by introducing their one single hit and then disappearing into anonymity. This has no doubt led to a decline in the artists’ creativity as we no longer s ee albums with all the songs that were a hit. On the other hand however, there has been an increase in the sale of individual songs because they are cheaper than the whole album. In fact by 2010, iTunes had sold 10,000,000,000 songs and the online music store is still going strong with consumers buying thousands of songs from the iTunes store every day. However the increase in sales does not add that much in revenue that it can offset the decline in revenue from the fall in sales of music CDs. In a study conducted by Elberse, she found out that for every one percent rise in the consumers who shift to buying music online there is a six percent drop in the sale of albums. Sales of a ‘mixed bundle’ (the album plus its single) fell from $15000 in 2005 to just $7000 in 2007 (a staggering

English Tort Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 17000 words

English Tort Law - Essay Example The Lister case involves a warden who sexually abused children under his ward whilst he was serving as the supervising head of a boarding house for troubled children in the Wilsic Hall School in Doncaster. His duties included the imposing order in the boarding house, ensuring that children went to school and participated in evening activities, were in bed on time and supervising members of the staff. It was held that the warden’s acts of sexually abusing children were done within the course of his employment because they were closely connected with his official duties. Applying the aforementioned to Gracie’s case, it would seem that the activities by Gracie outside of her actual working hours and during break hours cannot be contemplated as work within the course of her employment at the Call Centre because the employer has no control on what she does during her breaks. Therefore, only Gracie can be made liable for the tort, which in this case is the battery. The tort of trespass of battery has three elements: force; direct application of that force, and; intent to directly apply that force to another. Any touching of another person’s body can amount to the battery if done without the consent of that other party unless the touching was done as a socially acceptable act like the usual jostling that goes on during sales or a hearty slap at the back commonly done by men to congratulate each other (Harpwood 2005 267). Intent does not necessarily refer to intent to harm but intent to apply direct force to another and neither is harm necessary to prove battery.