Integrating The Sri Lankan Disabled Soldiers Social Work Essay Essay Example

Integrating The Sri Lankan Disabled Soldiers Social Work Essay Essay Sri Lanka ground forces was formed in 1949 and was betrothed for ceremonial responsibilities till they call for the suppression of two rebellions led by JVP in 1971 and 1987. Originating of Tamil motion in Jaffna in mid 80 s, reached to the apogee of demanding separate State called EELAM led by the separationist group ; Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE ) paved the manner to Sri Lanka Army to swerve its function from ceremonial responsibilities to classic function to contend against the terrorist act. Sri Lankan war scheme is proved to be the lone expression which exists in the universe at present to pay the wining war against the terrorist act. We will write a custom essay sample on Integrating The Sri Lankan Disabled Soldiers Social Work Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Integrating The Sri Lankan Disabled Soldiers Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Integrating The Sri Lankan Disabled Soldiers Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer 2. As conflict prolonged for over three decennaries, forfeits made by the warring cabals and the human cost of the struggle broaden skylines of societal analysis to explicate the program to reinitiate those disables in to the societal system of the state. Following inside informations denotes the specifics of handicapped soldiers of Sri Lanka Army at the terminal of the struggle: 3. To this terminal, Social duty is to be set through encouragement and reinitiating handicapped war heroes in to societal system but it would non pay the manner to incorporating them in to the societal system since most of them are from the ages between 18 33 and are from the productive ages. Dependence household members, single position, less medical attending at rural bases where most of these soldiers hail from ; are the societal issues need to be addressed at precedence. Inculcation of positive attitude, dignified societal relationship, and positive attitude towards them would promote them over sensitiveness to helplessness, loneliness and feeling dependance. Purpose 4. The purpose of this service paper is to analyze the facing jobs when incorporating the Sri Lankan disabled soldiers into the societal system and do recommendations to get the better of the jobs. DISABLED PERSON AND DISABLED SOLDIER ( Definitions Quoted from WHO ) 5. As analysis progressed, necessity arises to clear up the definition of disable individual and disabled soldier to turn to the issues and to explicate solution to convey in them to the society. a. The term disabled individual is explained ; that a individual is unable to carry through his or her necessities her or his ain as a consequence of lack of physical or mental capablenesss and include following ; ( 1 ) Impairment. Any loss or abnormalcy of psychological, physiological, or anatomical construction of map. ( 2 ) Disability. Any limitation or deficiency of ability to execute an activity in the mode of within the scope considered normal for a human being. Handicap. A disadvantage for given single, ensuing from an damage or disablement which limits or prevents the fulfilment of a function that is normal, depending on age, societal and cultural factors, for that person. Disabled soldier is a individual who becomes the victim of some signifier of physical mental deceleration owing to war. By lucubrating it may do owing to following ground or multiple grounds ; an accident, deaths may consequences amputees, blind, loss of vision, loss of hearing, paraplegia or other disablements. Right OF DISABLED PERSON ( Quoted from UN charter ) 1. The term disabled individual means any individual unable to guarantee by himself or herself, entirely or partially, the necessities of a normal single and/or societal life, as a consequence of lack either congenital or non, in his or her physical or mental capablenesss. 2. Disabled soldier shall bask all the rights set out in this declaration. These rights shall be granted to all handicapped individuals without any exclusion, without differentiation or favoritism on the footing of race, coloring material, sex, linguistic communication, faith, political or other sentiments, national or societal beginning, province of wealth, birth or any other state of affairs using either to the handicapped individual himself or herself or to his or her household. 3. Disabled individuals have the built-in right to esteem for their human self-respect. Disabled individuals irrespective of the beginning, nature and earnestness of their disability and disablements, have the same cardinal rights as their fellow citizens of the same age, which implies foremost and foremost the right to bask a nice life, a normal and full as possible. 4. Disabled individuals have the same civil and political rights as other human existences. 5. Disable individual entitled to the steps designed to enable them to became as ego reliant as possible. 6. Disable individual have the right to medical, psychological and functional intervention including prosthetic and arithmetic contraptions, to medical and societal rehabilitation, instruction, vocational preparation, and rehabilitation, assistance, guidance, arrangement services and other services which will enable them to develop their capablenesss and accomplishments to the upper limit and will rush the procedures of their societal integrating or reintegration. 7. Disable individual have the right to economic and societal security and to decent degree of life. They have the right, harmonizing to their capablenesss, to procure and retain employment or to prosecute in a utile, productive and compensable business and to fall in trade brotherhoods consideration at all phases of economic and societal planning. 8. Disable individuals are to hold their particular demands taken into consideration at all phases of economic and societal planning. The betterment which he or she may deduce at that place from. 9. Disable individuals have the right to populate with their households or with surrogate parents and to take part in all societal, originative or recreational activities. No disable individual shall be subjected, every bit far as his or her status or by the betterment which he or she may deduce at that place from. If the stay of a disable individual in a specialised constitution is indispensable, the environment and populating status at that place in shall be every bit near as possible to those of the normal life of a individual of his or her age. 10. Disable individual shall be protected against all development, all ordinances and all intervention of a discriminatory, opprobrious or corrupting nature. 11. Disable individual shall be able available themselves of qualified legal assistance when such assistance proves indispensable for the protection of their individuals and belongings. If judicial proceedings are instituted against them, the legal process applied shall take their physical and mental status to the full into history. 12. Organizations of disable individuals may be usefully consulted in all affairs sing the rights of disable individual. 13. Disable individual their households and communities shall be to the full informed, by all appropriate agencies, of the rights contained in this declaration. RESTRICTIONS ATAND AS FOLLOWING WHEN INTEGATING DISABLED PERSONNEL INTO THE CIVIL SOCIETY OF SRI LANKA 1. Lack of professional cognition restricts eligibility for employment. 2. Limited entree to beginnings of information therefore, kept uninformed on chances available. 3. No representation in policy and determination devising. 4. come across incommodiousness entertaining services available at public Institutes since them have no installations to take wheel chairs in. 5. Restrictions on operation of organic structure variety meats and activity limitation would do mental traumatism and be averse to populate. 6. No active engagement at societal activities, due to construct of dependance, fright of favoritism by the society. 7. Many handicapped individuals who take on to work and want to work are left quit following the grounds such as physical and societal fortunes and the premise made on their on the job capacity. 8. Many war veterans who returned place suffer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) . 9. Often spouses give up work publicities, pensions, and benefits leting their hubbies to go on calling in the armed forces. If they suffer any hurt, households should back up to retrieve emphasis of their unwellness or disablement. Severe hurt or unwellness would impact the household psychologically and financially. 10. Singless come across a venture in happening a spouse for matrimony and those married would endure with partner-hood and parent-hood as a hubby and male parent. 11. Harmonizing to the UN charter disabled individuals have the same rights as others. No healthful facilitates available or no topographic points constructed for them particularly in public locales. 12. Those parents who have no any other agencies of income except of victim s would fall upon quandary to happen the life. 13. Though they wish to seek some other agencies to gain excess money they are being restricted by the fortunes hence have to get by with their wage. EMPOWERMENT OF REHABILITATION OR REINTEGRATION Plan 1. Empowering disabled experienced the employment limitations if non the careful rehabilitation or reintegration program is non made as per the particular necessities of disables. This empowerment program must include referrals for medical and dental services, coordination of preparation and allowances and include the undermentioned cardinal constituents: Evaluation and planning, Rehabilitation and employability ( preparation or instruction ) , Independent life. Job ready position, and interrupted position. 2. All disable soldiers are entitled to obtain wage and allowances as per ground forces wage strategies to bask satisfied life in the society but societal idealness, after employment emphasis and negative feelings will do this immature working category and negated feeling over their disablement if non their grudges are non decently addressed. To avoid the quandary over the forfeits made by them best signifier is to use them in a suited field and turnover the undertaking may edify the skylines of the disables. 3. Suitable service system may supply with occupation adjustment, occupation alterations, instance directions and linkages to the relevant service working environment as procedure continued. In order to accomplish employment chances following employment systems could be introduced ; a. Rapid Access to Employment. This emphasizes the end of immediate employment and is available to those who already have the accomplishments to vie in the occupation market in appropriate businesss. Among other things, disables may be provided occupation readiness readying, sketch development, occupation hunt aid, and adjustments and post employment followup. b. Self-Employment. This is for disables who have limited entree to traditional employment and demand flexible work agendas and a more accommodative work environment because of their crippling conditions or other particular fortunes. They may be provided an analysis of the viability of a concern construct, development of a concern program, preparation in the operation of little concerns, selling and fiscal aid, and counsel on obtaining equal resources to implement the concern program. c. Employment through Long-Term Services. Under this, the disables who need specialised preparation or instruction to obtain and keep suited employment. Training or instruction ( or both ) may be provided, including on-the-job preparation, apprenticeships, internships, occupation tailing, work monitoring, work-study, public-private occupation partnering, or higher instruction sufficient to obtain suited entry-level employment. d. Independent Living Services. The Independent Living Services is for disables who may non be able to work instantly and need extra rehabilitation to enable them to populate more independently. Disables may be provided with assistive engineering, independent life accomplishments preparation, and connexions to community-based support services. 4. Sing the fortunes some of disables may non be employed even though the preferable it due to disablements they possessed. They may supply with the independent life programme designed to assist whose service-connected disablement or disablements may be so terrible that they are unable to instantly prosecute an employment end. It helps them to be able to populate independently, take part in household and community life, and increase their possible to return to work and this service may include followerss ; a. Training in activities of day-to-day life. B. Attendant attention during period of passage. c. Transportation when particular agreements are required. d. Assistive engineering. e. Specialized medical, wellness, and rehabilitation services. f. Services to turn to any personal and/or household accommodation issues ; ( 1 ) Peer guidance. ( 2 ) Housing built-in to engagement in a plan of particular rehabilitation services. Training in independent life accomplishments. Connection with community-based support services. Training to better consciousness of rights and demands. ( 6 ) Aid in placing and keeping voluntary or supported employment. 5. Vocational-Educational Counseling provides a broad scope of vocational-educational guidance to disables and their dependants who are basically involved in equal association. Gradually this programme may direct into Person-centred planning that enables people to talk up about their personal hopes and aspirations and to be more in control of their lives. People s skylines expanded and became more ambitious as they saw other people making different things, as they themselves started to accomplish things, and as they got more used to believing and speaking about the chances they wanted. GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION TOWARDS THE INTEGRATING THE DISABLED SOLDIERS 1. Following institutes are empowered by the authorities governments to incorporate disables to feudal societies. Those are ; a. Ranaviru Seva Authority. Act of parliament on 5 June 2000 mandated for publicity, public assistance, socioeconomic integrating of handicapped ex service members and their households including supplying service for tri service and constabulary forces. Under this proposals following steps were granted to the disables and those are: ( 1 ) Ranaviru sansada, psychological and socio programme. ( 2 ) Ranaviru land undertaking. ( 3 ) Educational scholarship. ( 4 ) Skill development programme. ( 5 ) Welfare programme. ( 6 ) Ranaviru small town and public assistance loan system. ( 7 ) Directorate of rehabilitation are include steps taken to supervise and praised the rendered services by these soldiers. B. Directorate of Rehabilitation. Maximum attempt for physical and psychological accommodation within the bound of his disablement to enable him to populate as utile and hearty life as is humanely possible. ( 1 ) Disabled soldiers receive basic medical and surgery attention from military infirmary. ( 2 ) Suffering loss of weaponries or legs, provide unreal limbs, guarantee by Directorate of Rehabilitation ( 3 ) Then they will be introduced to vocational accomplishments, clerical, treasure film editing, motor mechanics, welding, computing machine scientific discipline, book binding, air conditioning, infrigidation. ( 4 ) Then steer to happen a paid employment which suit their abilities and endeavoring for extra fiscal support. ( 5 ) Ranaviru sevana formed under the board of directors of rehabilitation for residential intervention. ( 6 ) Rehabilitation programme under ranaviru sevana, medical, educational, psycho-social, vocational. ( 7 ) Under those programmes following services will be provided medical services, hydro therapy, physical therapy, physical preparation, developing athleticss, vocational preparation, educational chances, and spiritual activities. ( 8 ) Practicing self attention accomplishments to take them of the frights and hurting ensuing from both traumatic experiences at war s good as the psycho societal jobs arise from their disablements. ( 9 ) The Ranaviru Sevana is go oning their plans and some accomplishment as follows: ( a ) Ultimate end is attainment of maximal physical and psychological accommodation of each individual with a disablement. ( B ) Occupying in units ( degree Celsius ) Uplift their public assistance steps ( vitamin D ) Sport ( vitamin E ) New endowment and accomplishments ( degree Fahrenheit ) Independent life, economically balance and socially accepted. Summary 1. Owing to the struggle which prolonged for about three decennaries between Sri Lanka Army and LTTE some 21327 soldiers have been left with any signifier of frailty which makes onerous impact on the authorities and to a considerable extent on society. However, duty remains still to take attention of and give heat and fondness whom so need such attending and attention in peculiar. 2. Some bing signifiers for classification of a handicapped would be, amputees, blind, loss of vision, loss of hearing, paraplegia and per centum of frailty besides given along with. It is evident that these handicapped soldiers undergo no vocational preparation or have no professional accomplishment due to the fact that they joins military service in the age of 18 or below 20 three hence, this influence on societal integrating accordingly. Further, this would impact their psychological science therefore possible branchings are uncertainness, experiencing favoritism and unlogical hazard of future life. Minor factors such as non representation at policy or determination devising, feelings of dependence, response of the mass in societal integrating, possibilities to run into the demands at public institutes besides could impact adversely to some grade. 3. possible steps to get the better of these ventures and fortunes some deduction would be ; empowerment program is to be carry out, rating, be aftering rehabilitation and employability, procuring independent life, make trades available and offering uninterrupted life. To bring forth employment chances for handicapped soldiers following procedure can be worked out: rapid entree to occupations, a assortment of ego employments, employment on full clip services and independent services. Some positive facets observed are ; public and private conveyance provides reserved seats for disable individuals and able mass takes no vacillation to offer his/her place to a handicapped if needed. 4. Afford of household demands and get by up all necessities with a small income or pension are firing issues lie before them. Therefore extra agencies of income ( s ) should be kept available through self employment etc. 5. Disabled soldier could be launched in to the society as a demanding individual through designation and working self possible. This may necessitate standard preparation and professional exposure and counsel. Government in coaction with Sri Lanka Army has implemented some feasible programs to swerve this venture in to success: constitution of the Ranaviru Seva Authority to help the handicapped soldiers and their households and Sri Lanka Army established the Directorate of Rehabilitation to installations them. Recommendation 1. Disabled soldiers undergo no vocational preparation or have no professional accomplishment prior to enlistment to the ground forces due to the fact that they join military service in the age of 18 or below 20 three. Therefore, effectual steps to be taken to work familial alone capablenesss and constitution of vocational preparation centres besides to be incorporated in to the enterprise. 2. Communication flow of the society is to be touchable and easy entree to information beginnings would maintain handicapped soldier informed on facts and benefits available. 3. Misinforming on psychological issues like uncertainness, feelings of dependence, and superstitious feelings of the mass that a disable soldier is a load to the society and has no end product or part to the national production should be eliminated. 4. Pay due honor and make the needful for them when needed in grasp of their invaluable forfeits. 5. Allowing chances to take part in and doing them coworkers in planning and determination devising would turn to and carry through their societal demands. So making chances to make this procedure will assist them. 6. Development of substructure installations at public and private institutes as they facilitate them to run into their demands in any assistance of mobility. 7. Psychological operations and regular guidance progammes to be done taking handicapped soldiers those suffer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) . 8. If the handicapped soldier is left unfit for farther mental or physical employment, his dependents should be kept strong to defy the life therefore occupation chances should be crate for them. 9. Disabled individuals besides should be aimed and considered when building illumination or immense public installations such as office composites, healthful, entertaining etc.

Free Essays on War Powers

When discussing a controversial matter in our United States Constitution, few can be more divisive then that of â€Å"war powers†. Why has this topic withstood so many oppositions and difficulties in its existence? Perhaps the reasoning may be placed within the over-all vagueness of its delegation. That is not to imply, however, that the framers of the Constitution are to bare any of that blame. Both the Executive and Legislative branches of our federal government have taken on many contours of responsibility as generations have bestowed upon them more unique and complex matters. Originally, the Constitution allowed for Congress to possess the sole accountability for any and all war making decisions by furnishing it the right to declare war via military action . However, it also provides that the President is to be the Commander-in-Chief of said armed forces . Seemingly, a clear-cut division of power on this topic could be settled by allowing the President to command the military only after Congress has declared war, but politics as usual distorts the black and white into grey. This was proven by the actions of many early presidents. Polk sent soldiers to Mexico, Lincoln began the Civil War, and FDR assisted WWII well before a declaration of war . To combat this degree of ambiguity, the 93rd Congress of the United States passed The War Powers Act of 1973 . Among many provisions, this act mandated a 60 day period for the president to wage war. Beyond those 60 days, war must be declared or he must receive special permission from Congress to continue . This topic has recently become an enormous issue for the current 106th Congress and the current Bush administration concerning the prospect of war with Iraq. Although reporters and political analysts have made the argument that President Bush does not have the power to initiate a war with Iraq, many members of Congress have remained unvoiced to the concern. Though they may... Free Essays on War Powers Free Essays on War Powers When discussing a controversial matter in our United States Constitution, few can be more divisive then that of â€Å"war powers†. Why has this topic withstood so many oppositions and difficulties in its existence? Perhaps the reasoning may be placed within the over-all vagueness of its delegation. That is not to imply, however, that the framers of the Constitution are to bare any of that blame. Both the Executive and Legislative branches of our federal government have taken on many contours of responsibility as generations have bestowed upon them more unique and complex matters. Originally, the Constitution allowed for Congress to possess the sole accountability for any and all war making decisions by furnishing it the right to declare war via military action . However, it also provides that the President is to be the Commander-in-Chief of said armed forces . Seemingly, a clear-cut division of power on this topic could be settled by allowing the President to command the military only after Congress has declared war, but politics as usual distorts the black and white into grey. This was proven by the actions of many early presidents. Polk sent soldiers to Mexico, Lincoln began the Civil War, and FDR assisted WWII well before a declaration of war . To combat this degree of ambiguity, the 93rd Congress of the United States passed The War Powers Act of 1973 . Among many provisions, this act mandated a 60 day period for the president to wage war. Beyond those 60 days, war must be declared or he must receive special permission from Congress to continue . This topic has recently become an enormous issue for the current 106th Congress and the current Bush administration concerning the prospect of war with Iraq. Although reporters and political analysts have made the argument that President Bush does not have the power to initiate a war with Iraq, many members of Congress have remained unvoiced to the concern. Though they may...

Le Chateliers Principle in Chemistry

Le Chatelier's Principle in Chemistry Le Chatelier†²s Principle is the principle when a stress is applied to a chemical system at equilibrium, the equilibrium will shift to relieve the stress. In other words, it can be used to predict the direction of a chemical reaction in response to a change in conditions of temperature, concentration, volume, or pressure. While Le Chateliers principle can be used to predict the response to a change in equilibrium, it does not explain (at a molecular level), why the system responds as it does. Chatalier's Principle or the Equilibrium Law The principle is named for Henry Louis Le Chatelier. Le Chatelier and Karl Ferdinand Braun independently proposed the principle, which is also known as Chateliers principle or the equilibrium law. The law may be stated: When a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in temperature, volume, concentration, or pressure, the system readjusts to partially counter the effect of the change, resulting in a new equilibrium. While chemical equations are typically written with reactants on the left, an arrow pointing from left to right, and products on the right, the reality is that a chemical reaction is at equilibrium. In other words, a reaction may proceed in both the forward and backward direction or be reversible. At equilibrium, both the forward and back reactions occur. One may proceed much more quickly than the other. In addition to chemistry, the principle also applies, in slightly different forms, to the fields of pharmacology and economics. How to Use Le Chatelier's Principle in Chemistry Concentration: An increase in the amount of reactants (their concentration) will shift the equilibrium to produce more products (product-favored). Increasing the number of products will shift the reaction to make more reactants (reactant-favored). Decreasing reactants favors reactants. Decreasing product favors products. Temperature: Temperature may be added to a system either externally or as a result of the chemical reaction. If a chemical reaction is exothermic (ΔH  is negative or heat is released), heat is considered a product of the reaction. If the reaction is endothermic (ΔH  is positive or heat is absorbed), heat is considered a reactant. So, increasing or decreasing temperature can be considered the same as increasing or decreasing the concentration of reactants or products. In the temperature is increased, the heat of the system increases, causing the equilibrium to shift to the left (reactants). If the temperature is decreased, the equilibrium shifts to the right (products). In other words, the system compensates for the reduction in temperature by favoring the reaction that generates heat. Pressure/Volume: Pressure and volume can change if one or more of the participants in a chemical reaction is a gas. Changing the partial pressure or volume of a gas acts the same as changing its concentration. If the volume of gas increases, pressure decreases (and vice versa). If the pressure or volume increase, the reaction shifts toward the side with lower pressure. If the pressure is increased or volume decreases, equilibrium shifts toward the higher pressure side of the equation. Note, however, that adding an inert gas (e.g., argon or neon) increases the overall pressure of the system, yet does not change the partial pressure of the reactants or products, so no equilibrium shift occurs.

What can be done about prison overcrowding Research Proposal

What can be done about prison overcrowding - Research Proposal Example it was able to come up with additional resources to build prison cells, the increase of inmates has still proven to be too overwhelming for the government to keep up with. In California, some inmates have taken to sleeping on floors because of the shortage of cells (Lake â€Å"News†). In other parts of America, the early release of prisoners has been sought by prison administrators just to ease inmate population. America has been shelling out billions of dollars to support the prison system. â€Å"State prison systems spend more than $30 billion annually, and the Bureau of Prisons budgeted $5 billion for just 182,000 federal inmates this year† (Myser â€Å"Business†). This overcrowding problem is attributed to a variety of factors, from the economic to the sociological, to the political. On an economic standpoint, the increase of poverty rates has unfortunately contributed to the increase of criminal activities. Various societal problems also encourage and breed criminal behavior. Legislative changes and new laws like mandatory life sentences, the three-strike rule, and strict parole eligibility provisions have also served to increase prison population. Without the corresponding increase in funding and in prison cells, these numbers will continue to rise. This paper will discuss some possible solutions to the problem of prison overcrowding, the viability of these solutions, the risk of unintended or undesirable consequences to these solutions, and the practical impediments that could hamper the development, approval, and implementation of the proposed solutions. Solutions to prison overcrowding that will be discussed in this paper shall focus on measures to reduce the number of prisoners and not solutions to increase the number of prison cells. These solutions will be more long-term. Increasing the number of cells will not stop prison overcrowding, especially if more inmates will keep coming in and filling up the new cells. This paper suggests changes

The Main Target Market of the Innovative Foamed Doom Case Study

The Main Target Market of the Innovative Foamed Doom - Case Study Example In the year 2008, there were around 7,73,600 construction companies in the United States (AGC of America, 2011). All of these stats indicate that there potential and growth opportunity in the industry. The new concept of the foamed dome and other structures can be marketed to a considerably large target market. The target market for the new product of foamed dome is large, however, the company will have to clearly identify the need and requirements of the market. The constructors and architects are in search of more environmentally friendly and inexpensive construction material. Different companies and firms are coming up with several innovative products and construction material in order to make the construction industry more sustainable (Miller, 2011). Apart from this, due to the recent economic crunch architects and constructors are looking for cost-saving solutions. The new and innovative product being introduced by the company will be able to cater to all these changing needs of the target market. It is important to establish Point of Parity (POP) for any brand in order to make sure that the product or brand can be related to other products and competitors in the industry. This, in turn, allows the customers to establish the basic understanding and a point of reference. The Point of Parity (POP) in this case is that the foam dome is also used in the construction of different buildings and structures like other constructing material. Once the Point of Parity (POP) has been created, the next step for the brand is the creation of the Point of Difference (POD). It is important to create a Point of Difference (POD) for a brand so that the customers are able to differentiate it from other products in the market.  

Genetic Engineering in Food Production Essay Example for Free

Genetic Engineering in Food Production Essay Genetic Engineering in Food Production: Is it Safe, Wise, and Moral? Over the past couple of decades, the genetic engineering has been found and is regarded as the improvement of advanced technology in the field of biology. Ever since the first gene was cloned in 1973, genetic engineers have been pursuing at break-neck speed the unlimited possibilities promised by biotechnology . Their excitement, which has generated billions of investment dollars for the industry, is understandable. Bioengineering allows scientists to identify specific gene sequences responsible for particular characteristics and then to transfer the genes and the specific trait into entirely different species. One of the more current and controversial issue in the field of biotechnology is the use of bioengineering in food production. Scientists are experimenting with many different plants, but the genetic engineering of the tomato, dubbed Flavr Savr has been the most highly publicized project by far. The new tomato is supposed to boast more red and be tastier due to its longer staying time on the vine, thereby giving it more time to accumulate sweetness; yet, it will not rot or spoil because of its new genetic makeup. (Davidson 1993). With this advanced technology scientists argue that it could offer the greatest hope in the aid to stop hunger in Third World countries. This new technology could be used to make bulk levels of food production more efficient and less costly. However, despite all of its advantages in creating better crops, many people are very skeptical about its safe and possible long-term health effects. Moreover, the social issue lies deep in the realm of ethical and moral concerns. Do people really want to eat meat that is leaner and tastier but contains genes from humans? Or, would individuals (like vegetarians) be able to eat certain vegetables that may contain genes from animals? Personally, I would not support the use of genetic engineering in food production based on moral and ethical reasons: I do not think that scientists should be able to use their knowledge and social prestige in society to be able to play the role of God in creating new or better living things even if their justification is for the purpose of serving mankind. Although we still have much to learn about genes, recently developed techniques have already given rise to a new technology of molecular genetics. Genetic engineering, also known as gene splicing/manipulation and recombinant DNA technology is a set of techniques for reconstructing, or deliberately manipulating, the genetic material of an organism. Operating at the molecular level, this process involves the addition, deletion, or reorganization of pieces of an organisms DNA (known as genes) in order to alter that organisms protein production (Arms et al. 1994). The use and applications of genetic engineering range from medical and pharmaceutical to industrial crops and food products. Its applications, today or in the future, include†¦creating improved strains of crops and farm animals (Arms et al. 1994). All of these applications rely on the ability to transplant genes into a cells makeup, or genome. The new gene may come from another organism, of the same species, or it may contain DNA produced in the laboratory. One example, the new Flavr Savr tomato, developed by Calgene, a biotechnology company based in Davis, California, was subjected to years of scrutiny before the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) agreed that it was safe to eat. They found, copied, and rebuilt a gene that lets these tomatoes stay on the vine without softening and spoiling. That means that the fruit can develop more of the sugars and acids that make a home-grown tomato taste so sweet and rich. Conventional tomatoes sold in the stores are often hard and flavorless because they are picked while green and firm enough to transport, then ripened by spraying with ethylene (Wood 1995). This turns the tomato red but does nothing to develop a riper flavor. Ethylene, a colorless, odorless gas that once kicks in, so do all the problems of perishability (Wood 1995). Since tomatoes have a softening gene, it produces RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) to help manufacture a protein that causes rotting. To stop the tomatoes going soft too soon, the researchers devised a way to block production of the enzyme polygalacturonase, which breaks down cell walls and eventually causes the fruit to rot (Miller 1994). The Calgene scientists inserted a mirror image of the softening gene that produces a reverse copy of the RNA. This reverse RNA blocks the action of the regular RNA and helps to preserve the fruit. All in all, Calgene seems to have produced a good but hardly outstanding tomato using antisense technology, given all the propaganda and advertisements. A couple of the reasons for why the tomato failed were because: (a) the manipulation of the ripening gene had unintended consequences (soft skin, weird taste, compositional changes); and (b) the high price they tried selling it at first for$2. 99 a pound (as expensive as organic tomatoes), then later dropped the price to $2. 49, then $1. 99, then . 99. Furthermore, the general public does not seem persuaded or have caught up with this trend yet. For one, people are greatly concerned about the safety of the product since the FDA does not insist that genetically engineered foods carry a special label, even though the FDA assured consumers that they can be confident in knowing that foods produced by genetic engineering are as safe as food in our grocery stores today, stated FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler, MD (Miller 1994). However, critics have cited a case in which at least 31 people died and 1500 contracted a fatal blood disease after ingesting a genetically engineered batch of L-trytophan, a dietary supplement (Davidson 1993). Without proper labeling it will be impossible for consumers to exercise their right to choose what kind of foods they eat. Another issue among consumers and environmental activist groups is that of moral and ethical concerns. Many people feel that scientists might have gone too far in terms of experimentation. We have now come to the end of the familiar pathway of leaving everything to the creation of Mother Nature. With the rise of advanced technology in genetics, scientists now possess the ability to manipulate genes, and redirect the course of evolution. They can reassemble old genes and devise new ones. They can plan, and with computer simulation, anticipate the future forms and paths of life. Hence, the old ways of evolution will be dwarfed by the role of purposeful human intelligence. However, just as nature stumbled upon life billions of years ago and began the process of evolution, so too would the new creators of life find that living organisms all have a destiny of their own. To evaluate the validity of the benefits of this technology, we need to answer three simple questions: Is it safe, is it wise, is it moral? Sinsheimer 1987). To answer the first question about whether it is safe, if the technological developments are kept open to public knowledge and scrutiny, I think in the short term it could be. This way the general public can monitor the hazards of any new product introduced into the biosphere, and can probably cope with any immediate problems or consequences. In answering the second question of whether it is wise, I would say that it is not. Through decades of research, scientists have learned of the different pathogens that prey on humans, animals, and major crops. But I believe that their knowledge is still very limited in trying to understand what led to these organisms existence and modes of adaptation. Thus scientists cannot really predict whether all their new discoveries and creations might somehow lead to a new and unexpected group of harmful species since potential organisms that could be converted by one or more mutations be transformed from harmless bugs to serious risks. Finally, to answer the question of the advantages of genetic engineering in terms of morality and ethics, I can only say that the more we create, the more problems we will have in the long run in trying to solve them. Life has evolved on this planet into a delicately balanced and fragile network of selfsustaining interactions and equilibrium. If we try to change or replace the creatures and vegetation of this earth with human-designed forms to conform to human will, I believe we will forget our origins and inadvertently collapse the ecological system in which we were found. Moreover, do we really want to assume the full responsibility for the structure and make-up of our world? I think that we seriously need to intervene between the scientists and engineers to consider a solution that will help slow down all of these experiments so that we could step back and look at what we are doing. If not, I think that these practicing scientists and researchers should be more broadly educated in our humanistic values and traditions. They need to understand the implications of what they are doing in order to be able to balance the concerns of the natural environment and that of societys humanistic needs; to bear in mind that technology exists only to serve and not create. Human beings, are of course, sprung from the same DNA and built of the same molecules as all other livings things. But if we begin to regard ourselves as just another group of subjects to test our experiments on by altering or tampering with the foods we eat, just like another crop to be engineered or another breed to be perfected, we will surely lose our awe of humanity and undermine all sense of human dignity.

the story of an hour :: essays research papers

In Kate Chopin's short story "The Story of an Hour," there is much irony. The first irony detected is in the way that Louise reacts to the news of the death of her husband, Brently Mallard. Before Louise's reaction is revealed, Chopin alludes to how the widow feels by describing the world according to her perception of it after the "horrible" news. Louise is said to "not hear the story as many women have heard the same." Rather, she accepts it and goes to her room to be alone. Now the reader starts to see the world through Louise's eyes, a world full of new and pure life. In her room, Louise sinks into a comfortable chair and looks out her window. Immediately the image of comfort seems to strike a odd note. One reading this story should question the use of this word " comfortable" and why Louise is not beating the furniture instead. Next, the newly widowed women is looking out of the window and sees spring and all the new life it brings. The descriptions used now are as far away from death as possible. "The delicios breath of rain...the notes of a distant song...countless sparrows were twittering...patches of blue sky...." All these are beautiful images of life , the reader is quite confused by this most unusual foreshadowing until Louise's reaction is explained. The widow whispers "Free, free, free!" Louise realizes that her husband had loved her, but she goes on to explain that as men and women often inhibit eachother, even if it is done with the best of intentions, they exert their own wills upon eachother. She realized that although at times she had loved him, she has regained her freedom, a state of beeing that all of G-d's creatures strive for. Although this reaction is completely unexpected, the reader quickly accepts it because of Louise's adequate explanation. She grows excited and begins to fantasize about living her life for herself. With this realization, she wishes that "life might be long," and she feels like a "goddess of Victory" as she walks down the stairs. This is an eerie forshadowing for an even more unexpected ending. The reader has just accepted Louise's reaction to her husband's death, when the most unexpected happens; her husband is actually alive and he enters the room shocking everyone, and Louise especially, as she is shocked to death.