Playing God in Todays World Essay Example for Free

Playing God in Todays World Essay The two fictional characters who â€Å"play God† in their own lives are two doctors, one of philosophy (Faustus) and one of medicine (Frankenstein) and, in real life, it is anyone who takes power over another’s and one’s own life and makes up his/her own rules which go against the commandments given to us by God as the athlete Lance Armstrong did during many years. First, there is Dr. Faustus, a very famous and successful scholar. He is a smart man who knows everything about almost all sciences in the world, including philosophy, theology, law, and medicine. Yet, this knowledge is not enough for him. He is greedy and obsessive about it and the more he learns, the more he desires. Soon, all that he knows makes him extremely bored; there is only one science that gives him excitement magic. â€Å"These books by magicians- lines, circles and mysterious drawings- Yes, these are the books that I enjoy the most. Oh, what a world of power and reward they promise the hard-working student! With this knowledge, I’ll be the master of everything that moves on Earth†¦ this is your answer Faustus. Use your brain to become a god† (Marlowe 22). Faustus is willing to do anything to be the greatest in this field, so he decides to sign an agreement with the Devil and give him his soul in exchange for 24 years of magical talents and power over life itself. After this agreement is set, Faustus gets all the unimaginable power in life; learns all that he wants about this forbidden science; brings people back to life, and earns worldwide admiration and recognition for his work. Nevertheless, none of these God-like powers and tricks of magic bring him happiness. Deep in his heart he knows he is doing wrong and he will be damned forever. At last, he ends his days being lonely and is punished forever in hell. Clearly, Faustus tries to play God, but at the end, the only thing he does is to bring God’s anger upon himself. â€Å"With paper wings he flew too near the sun and heaven planned his downfall† (epilogue). Secondly, there is Victor Frankenstein, a man who has everything he needs plus a very happy family. He is a great man, who is dedicated to his studies and very clever, but he makes the same mistake as Faustus did. He plays God by trying to discover the secrets of life, and when he does, he uses them the wrong way. When his mother dies, he has to leave his sad family and go to university to study medicine. There, he becomes obsessed with the idea of knowing â€Å"the secret of life† and how to help others not to feel the sorrow he and his family did because of the loss of a loved one. Soon, after much study about death and life, he finds the answer to all the questions in his head and starts to develop a horrible project. â€Å"He takes parts from dead people and builds a new ‘man’. But this monster is so big and frightening that everyone runs away from him – even Frankenstein himself! (Comment by editor). Victor is so terrified of his own creation that the only thing he wants is to escape from it so, irresponsibly; he abandons his laboratory and the monster, which has no idea of how to speak, survive, or live. †The monster is like an enormous baby who needs love. But nobody gives him love, and soon he learns to hate. And because he is so strong, the next thing he learns is how to kill† (Comment by editor). The monster is full of resentment and decides to make Frankenstein just an unhappy and lonely as he has been his entire life. He kills all people Frankenstein loves and makes Victor look forward only to the day that he can be dead and together with his family. Clearly, Frankenstein tries to play God, but at the end, the only thing he does is to bring unhappiness and misery to his life and his loved ones’. Finally, there is Lance Armstrong, a successful and rich cyclist who has won the Tour De France seven consecutive times. He has a lot of fans around the world and is considered a strong and admirable man by many people. However, after years of arduous denials and attacks on any person who has questioned his clams of competing clean, he has been proved to use performance-enhancing drugs since 1998. Now, he is disqualified from all his titles since that year and banned from professional cycling for life. Fans, friends, and family have gone away from him and now he is left only with the money that he has made, but today this does not seem to make him happy. He did a lot of mistakes through his career and personal life and used his cancer to justify them to himself. My cocktail, so to speak, was only EPO, not a lot, [blood] transfusions and testosterone, which I almost justified because of my history. Obviously, the testicular cancer and losing [a testicle], [I] thought, surely I’m running low. †(Armstrong’s interview with Oprah). The first mistake that he makes is to forget about his spiritual values and to start violating God’s law. Victory becomes his obsession and he is wi lling to obtain it at all costs. He is not only loosing his soul, but also damaging his body and reputation. Moreover, he has given false witness in front of millions of people and fooled everyone who believes in him. Again in this case, it is clearly illustrated how â€Å"playing God† can destroy someone’s life. Considering all the above, it is evident how obsessions can lead people to self-destruction. Armstrong, Frankenstein, and Dr. Faustus have made up their own rules and ways of living, according to what they want and not caring about how they are damaging themselves and the ones around them. They are all men of successes until God decides that it’s time to pay for the mistakes they have done; and at that point, it is too late to repent. The three of them have forgotten that life is not about what we accomplish, but about the way we do it.

Analysis of International Relations Theory

Analysis of International Relations Theory INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY Why do states behave the way they do in the international system? Some people argue that this is a question of international relations theory while others say it is a question of foreign policy theory[1]. For our purposes, we shall consider them as the same issue. The behaviour of the states is the central question which the theories of International Relations or theories of foreign policy are trying to answer. Various authors develop theory to explain the behaviour of ‘all states’ and not just ‘one state’ which leads to the problem. No single theory is able to encompass all states. Finding a universal pattern has evaded us so far and the various theories stated are only an attempt to get one theory which defines the behaviour of most of the states. Few of these theories are briefly touched upon in the following paragraphs. Realism. Realists believe that the international system is defined by anarchy. States are sovereign and thus autonomous of each other and no inherent structure or society can emerge or even exist to order relations between them. In International Relations, political realism is a tradition of analysis that stresses the imperatives states face to pursue a power politics of the national interest[2]. Realist emphasises the constraints on politics imposed by human selfishness (‘egoism’) and the absence of international government (‘anarchy’), which require ‘the primacy in all political life of power and security[3]. Classical realism. This is a state level theory that argues that all states search for power and this is the first and last principle of state behaviour. States seek to increase their power; they seek to decrease the power of their enemies; and everything they do is in the name of amassing power. States see other powerful states as rivals because power, when it is not in your hands, is threatening[4]. There can be peace. However, a durable peace is based upon a unwavering balance of power. If a state is not confident of winning a war, it generally will not start one. Neo-realism. This theory suggests a system that is an offshoot of classical realism. It agrees to all of what classical realism does. However, it sees the cause of all the power struggles and rivalries not as a function of the nature of states, but as a function of the nature of the international system[5]. States are considered as being alone in the arena of the world. There is no world government or a set up looking out for other states. There are no rules that can’t be broken. The world is in a set of lawlessness and states do what they can get away with in order to gain power. States do what they must to protect themselves. This theory dominates scholarly thinking today and is sometimes referred to in respect of the international relations prevalent in South Asia[6]. Neo-Classical realism. This theory is in a way restoration of classical realism. It accepts all about power rivalries, but it suggests that state characteristics (state level variables) play a major role in the behaviour of states. States don’t just search for power. They do not simply fear other powerful states but there are reasons that states seek power and there are reasons that states fear other states. It’s a sort of combination of classical realism and neo-realism that factors in both system level and state level variables. Liberalism. The Liberalism theory adds values into the equation. It is often called idealism. It is a state level theory which argues that there is a lot of cooperation in the world, not just rivalry. States don’t just compete or worry about power. States try to build a more just world order. For liberals, peace is the normal state of affairs. In Kant’s words, peace can be perpetual[7]. Neo-liberalism. This is an offshoot of liberalism. It is a system level translation of liberalism and focuses on the way in which institutions can influence the behaviour of states by spreading values or creating rule-based behaviour[8]. Neo-liberals might focus on the role of the United Nations or World Trade Organization in shaping the foreign policy behaviour of states. Rationalism. This theory, like realism begins with anarchy but unlike realism, it acknowledges that the sense of belonging to the community of humankind has left its civilising mark upon the state and international relation[9]. Constructivism is a theory that examines state behaviour in the context of state’s characteristics. All states are distinctive and have a set of defining economic, political, social, religious or cultural characteristics that influence its foreign policy. States have identities and those identities characterise their behaviour in the international system. A late-twentieth-century addition to international relations, Constructivism has returned international relations scholars to the foundation questions including the nature of state and the concepts of sovereignty, identity and citizenship. In addition, it has opened new substantive areas to enquire such as role of gender and ethnicity which has been largely absent from other theories[10]. Marxism, Critical Theory, Post Modernism, Feminism, Green Politics, English School and Critical Theory are few other popular theories in regards to International theories. Each author is developing a theory in order to explain the behaviour of all states and not just few of them. Finding a common pattern of activity, common rules that can be used to explain why all state behave in a manner has not been possible so far. Hence, trying to analyse the relations between two countries on the datum of these existing theory will not be doing justice. Scholars see several levels of analysis through which state behaviour can be examined and these form the basis of IR theories itself. These levels shall be discussed in the following paragraphs. Levels of Analysis System level. This level of analysis examines state behaviour by looking at the international system. In this level of analysis, the international system acts as the cause which leads to the effect of state behaviour. Any change in the international system causes change in state behaviour. State level. This level of analysis examines the foreign policy behaviour of states in terms of state’s characteristics. The state’s characteristics foreign policy may be simply manifestation of its cultural characteristic or may be defined by the religious or social traditions, historical legacy of the state, the economic nature and geographic nature of the state. Organisational level. This level of analysis examines the way in which organisations within state influence foreign policy behaviour. If this level is dominant, the States does not make decisions. Organisations negotiate with each other to create a foreign policy that is a settlement between competing organisations. Individual level. This level of analysis focuses on people. Since people are the ones who make decisions within nation states, therefore, it can be said that it is these people who govern foreign policy. This level of analysis explains foreign policy by looking at the way leaders understand /perceive the world. Although all scholars acknowledge the utility of paying attention to levels of the analysis, they differ on how many levels are useful in explaining events. Most political scientists apply between three and six levels[11]. For the purpose of this paper, above four levels will be considered for the analysis of Indo-Sri Lankan relations. [1] Newmann,Bill. ‘A Brief Introduction to Theories on International Relations and Foreign Policy’. Retrieved on 02 Dec 14. http://www.people.vcu.edu/~wnewmann/468theory.htm> [2] Burchill,Scott, et al. Theories of International relations. Third Edition. 2005. New York. Palgrave Macmilan.P 29 [3] Ibid. P 30 [4] Newmann,Bill. ‘A Brief Introduction to Theories on International Relations and Foreign Policy’. Retrieved on 02 Dec 14. http://www.people.vcu.edu/~wnewmann/468theory.htm> [5] Ibid. [6] Newmann,Bill. ‘A Brief Introduction to Theories on International Relations and Foreign Policy’. Retrieved on 02 Dec 14. http://www.people.vcu.edu/~wnewmann/468theory.htm> [7] Burchill,Scott , Linklater,Andrew, et al. Theories of International Relations. First edition. 1996. New York and London. Macmillam. .P 31 [8] Newmann,Bill. ‘A Brief Introduction to Theories on International Relations and Foreign Policy’. Retrieved on 02 Dec 14. http://www.people.vcu.edu/~wnewmann/468theory.htm> [9] Burchill,Scott , Linklater,Andrew, et al. Theories of International Relations. First edition. 1996. New York and London. Macmillam. .P 94 [10] Mingst, Karen and Arreguin-Toft, Ivan M. Essentials of International Relations. Fifth Edition.2011. New York and London. WW Norton Company. P84 [11] Mingst, Karen and Arreguin-Toft, Ivan M. Essentials of International Relations. Fifth Edition.2011. New York and London. WW Norton Company. P69

Factors Influencing Static Electricity

Factors Influencing Static Electricity Abstract The purpose of this experiment is to understand the magnitude of static electricity and the factors influencing it. The importance of this study can be linked to climate, technological advances, and improving existing inventions or creating new inventions. The fascination with static electricity motivated me to understand what static electricity is, in order to further my knowledge and flawlessly explain the science of lightning. Static electricity is the imbalance of electric charge which produces a small spark, therefore on a much larger scale, lightning in a thunderstorm is the result of the separation of protons and electrons. For my experiment, I created an electroscope using a glass jar with a plastic lid, a paperclip holding two small pieces of aluminum foil and tape securing the paperclip. I used 3 balloons of different sizes, small, medium, and large and rubbed it on my hair to separate charges, then I brought the balloon closer to the electroscope and the aluminum  foil then repelled from the other piece of aluminum; this successfully conveyed  that there was a separation of charge on the balloon from rubbing it on my hair. I repeated this experiment with the next 2 balloons and recorded my results. To decrease the likelihood of failure, I did 2 more trials; the results I came across supported my original hypothesis which stated that the bigger the material, the greater amount of electric   ch arge, and after conducting the experiment 2 more times with each different size of material, my hypothesis still was proved to be accurate. Upon proving the hypothesis to be true, I then concluded that the magnitude of lightning must have extreme strength considering the large scale damage it can do, and the fascination continued as I felt as though the science behind lightning was now between my very fingertips. To conclude, my experiment has taught me about the science of static electricity, the different ways we can separate charges in order to induce a shock, and how it can be related and interconnected with climate. This field of study has extreme significance and I am confident that the use of static electricity will grow, such as the use of static electricity in printers and photocopiers has already been implemented. For the next experiment I conduct, I would like to test the different influences other factors have on static electricity, such as the type of materials tested, the effects of the environment where the experiment takes place, or the significance of climate regarding static electricity. Introduction fI have always been fascinated with electric charge, static electricity, and the effects of friction. The fascination with science and its relationship to static  electricity and climate leaves me wondering what causes static electricity, how it is produced, and what are the factors that create a higher magnitude of static electricity. The main reason I am motivated to do this experiment is due to the fact that the world is advancing technologically each and every  day. In my opinion the incorporation of static electricity into common  applications is a very important subject to study; especially considering the amazing capabilities, and future advancements, of printers, photocopiers. I have many un-answered questions about the science of static electricity and the various factors that influence it. The topic of static electricity raises interesting points and thought provoking questions, I would like to answer a few such as; how does static electricity relate to lightning? What is the effect of size and temperature on static electricity? And, is static electricity necessary for life on Earth? + The purpose of this experiment is to examine the difference in magnitude of  static electricity, using several materials of different sizes. Testing the different materials will then lead me to understand the factors that may influence the strength of electric charges, and how it could relate to climate. +Hypothesis: I think that the size of an object is ther essential factor affecting  the magnitude of static electricity, that is, the bigger the material, the  greater magnitude Indicatevariables Manipulated  variable :Size of the material testing balloons Responding  variable:  Amount of static electricity Constants:  The types of materials, number of times each balloon is rubbed, and the temperature in the room the experiment will be conducted in. Research Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges, and is generated by the separation of positive charges and negative charges. Therefore, when two different materials are within contact, the electrons can move from one material to the next when then leaves a surplus of positive charge on the other material, this consequently creates static electricity. Static electricity may be produced by friction and create a spark; however friction does not create it, but rather the transfer of electrons will create the static charge. All materials, people, and objects contain atoms. Atoms possess a nucleus which consist of protons and neutrons, whereas the electrons are outside of the nucleus. Objects and materials are usually neutrally charged as there is an equal number of protons and electronshowever if there is an imbalance between the  electric charges induced by contact, static electricity will generate. Static electricity can also be generated through various ways, such as when putting ceramics under pressure or heat. One can also separate charges by positioning a charged object   near a neutral object. This results in the charges of the neutral object repelling the same polarity as the charged object while the charged object will be attracted to the opposite polarity, which then causes the neutral object to have an unequal amount of charge. Discovering the different ways to separate charges increases my motivation to understand the factors that affect the magnitude of static electricity. The transfer of electrons onto a different material and having an imbalance between charges will result in static electricity, however I would like to understand the  relationship between polarity and size. My entire experiment is based on the many factors that could possibly influence the degree of static electricity. I am using the factors that could possibly affect static electricity as my foundation because static  electricity is vital to human existence, and important.                    . Hypothesis Based on my research, I think that the size of an object is the significant factor affecting the strength of static electricity, in other words, the larger the material, the greater the magnitude. Research that I have conducted has helped me discover the science behind lightning, which reenforces my hypothesis of larger  materials or objects that hold electric charge having greater strength because of how strong lightning is. Lightning is essentially static electricity on a bigger scale. Procedure Materials Glass jar Plastic lid Tape Aluminum foil Paper clip Balloons Ruler Variables o Manipulated variable- For this experiment, the size of each balloon will be manipulated. o Respondingvariable The magnitude of static electricity observable from the  foil repels.   o Constants Types of material, number of times each balloon is rubbed, and the temperature of the environment that the experiment will be conducted in. Stepbystep 1. Inflate 3 balloons of different sizes; small, medium, and large 2. Straighten   the paper clip out, then create a shape with a center circle with two hooks attached to it 3. Make a small opening in the middle of the plastic lid 4. Place the paper clip in the opening with the center circle sticking out from the top, and the hooks at the bottom, then secure it with tape 5. Cut two small pieces of aluminum foil of equal size, then make a small hole in the end of each strip 6. Attach the strips of foil onto the hooks of the paperclip 7. Now we have an electroscope and its time for the experiment to be conducted, create a data chart to record trials and measurements 8. Grab the small balloon, and rub it on your hair 10 times, then take the balloon and get close to the top of the electroscope, the foil should then move apart; this conveys that there is a separation of charges. 9. Measure the distance between the aluminum foil in the data chart 10. Repeat step 8 with the next two balloons and record the results to compare the strength of static electricity 11. Complete 2 more trials for each size of the balloons Results Observations Small balloon 0.7 inches Medium balloon 1inch Large balloon 1.2 inches Conclusion Based on the results of this experiment, the hypothesis that   the bigger the material is, the stronger the magnitude, is proven to be true. The small balloon on  each trial has the smallest distance between the 2 strips of aluminum foil, and the  large balloon has the largest distance. This correlation supports my original  chypothesis and can therefore expand my knowledge of static electricity and apply  Q-:it to wider scales. This study has extreme significance as it can be applied to  creating new inventions with the use of static electricity, explaining climate, and  understanding the different strengths of static electricity and its uses. On a personal interest, I believe the fascination with this topic is because of how   powerful lightning can be, and how it can be conducted from my very fingertips. The purpose of this project for me is to understand the science behind lightning  learned the details of static electricity, why we feel a shock when there is an imbalance of charges, and the different ways to separate charges. For next time, I would like to experiment with varying materials rather than different sizes, and possibly change small details such as, number of rubs per material, number of trials, and trying to experiment in different temperatures. Bibliography Hanania, Jordan, Kailyn Stenhouse, and Jason Donev. Static electricity. Static electricity-EnergyEducation.N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2017. . How does static electricity work? Howdoesstaticelectricitywork?{Everyday Mysteries: FunScienceFactsfrom theLibraryofCongress).N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2017. . What Is Static Electricity? LiveScience.Purch, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2017. .                 Ã‚  

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott :: essays research papers

Little Women by Louisa Alcott would definitely appeal to women of all types and ages. Little Women appeals to a broad audience, its full of the values and beliefs, and it paints a very real picture of most American’s lives at the time. The reason for this book appealing to such a broad audience lies in all the characters’ personalities. Mrs. March is a strong, independent woman who never falters, therefore she relates to all independent women; but she is also a mother who plants strong values in her girls and is the rock foundation of the family, with that she relates to all mothers. Margaret’s desire for luxury is a desire that we all can relate to and her properness is a trait most girls can relate to. Jo’s mischievous demeanor and talent for writing is something that if one cannot relate, admire to have. Beth is the insecure, sweet, homebody in all of us. Amy represents the beauty and talent, and sometimes moral code, which all women have. Laurie represents all the men that wish to be loved any uncommon-but-beautiful woman. This book is full of the values and beliefs of its time. The March family, that were once-upon-a-time a rich family, were still connected to the â€Å"higher† society. As a result, they were sometimes willingly and sometimes forced to commune with people who looked down on them for being poor. The book taking place during and after the period of the civil war there was a lot of tension concerning Blacks. Some of the values Mrs. March teaches her girls is the importance of never trying to be something there not; the unimportance of material possessions versus mental possessions; and that regardless of what the world told them, they are equal to men and therefore deserve equal rights. The book does a good job of directly and indirectly showing realness of all Americans lives. The whole book feels very real, probably because it’s an autobiography. One very real aspect of the book was the death of Beth. Many loved ones were lost to scarlet fever back then. That particular part of the book, along with being the most real, was the most touching. Despite her being a homebody and living a short life, she had a huge effect on everybody she knew. Another very real feature was the financial struggle of a family of five women and a father away at war at a time when women had no rights.

Colonialism and Imperialism in Africa Essay examples -- Exploratory Es

Disease and Imperialism in Africa      Ã‚  Ã‚   Diseases were prevalent in Africa during the time of European Imperialism. Disease affected both natives and European peoples in Africa. African diseases affected both natives and European explorers and soldiers as well as diseases brought by the Europeans that affected the Africans.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Numerouks diseases impadcted the Europeans in Africa during the time of Imperialism.   During the time of Imperialism many explorers and soldiers died of disease. "During 1804-25 over 60 per cent of the men sent out by the Church Missionary Society died of disease" (McLynn 228). Traveling to Africa was very dangerous. "Before the 19th century, European soldiers in the tropical areas [in Africa] died from disease at four to five time the rate of those in Europe" (Curtin). "By far the greatest fatality in Africa was from malaria" (McLynn 228). Often times entire expeditions would die of disease upon traveling in Africa. "Of the 40 men who accompanied Mongo Park's second expedition to the Niger in 1805, not one returned to England. Six were killed in battle, the rest died of malaria or dysentery" (McLynn 228). The Europeans lacked ways to cure or prevent these diseases because they knew so little about them. "Traditional remedies were lying in steam baths, taking cold dip s in the sea, applying bisters or swallowing doses of strychnine, arsenic, and calomel" (McLynn 232). Disease stopped the Europeans from moving quickly through Africa. The symptoms of illness and loss of life halted exploration. Symptoms of malaria were incapacitating; they included "chills, fever, and sweating" ("Malaria"). The cause of malaria was unknown until it was discovered that it was "caused by a blood parasite of man,... ...rta. CD-ROM. Microsoft. 1994. Manderson, Lenore Ph.D. "Public Health Developments in Colonial Malaya:   Colonialism and the Politics of Prevention." America Journal of Public Health. Jan 1999: 102-107. Masland, Tom, and Rod Nordland. "10 Million Orphans." Newsweek. 17 Jan. 2000. 5 March 2000 http://newsweek.com/nw-srv/printed/us/in/a4881-2000jan9.htm. McLynn, Frank. Hearts of Darkness: The European Exploration of Africa. New York:   Carrol & Graf, 1993. 227-252. Reader, John. Africa: A Biography of the Continent. New York: Vintage Books, 1997.   239-248. Smaldone, Joseph P. "Disease and Empire: The Health of European Troops in the Conquest of Africa." The Journal of Military History. April 1999:   453-455. Online. Proquest. Proquest UMI. 28 Feb. 2000. Wekesser, Carol, ed. Africa: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1992. 24-32. Colonialism and Imperialism in Africa Essay examples -- Exploratory Es Disease and Imperialism in Africa      Ã‚  Ã‚   Diseases were prevalent in Africa during the time of European Imperialism. Disease affected both natives and European peoples in Africa. African diseases affected both natives and European explorers and soldiers as well as diseases brought by the Europeans that affected the Africans.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Numerouks diseases impadcted the Europeans in Africa during the time of Imperialism.   During the time of Imperialism many explorers and soldiers died of disease. "During 1804-25 over 60 per cent of the men sent out by the Church Missionary Society died of disease" (McLynn 228). Traveling to Africa was very dangerous. "Before the 19th century, European soldiers in the tropical areas [in Africa] died from disease at four to five time the rate of those in Europe" (Curtin). "By far the greatest fatality in Africa was from malaria" (McLynn 228). Often times entire expeditions would die of disease upon traveling in Africa. "Of the 40 men who accompanied Mongo Park's second expedition to the Niger in 1805, not one returned to England. Six were killed in battle, the rest died of malaria or dysentery" (McLynn 228). The Europeans lacked ways to cure or prevent these diseases because they knew so little about them. "Traditional remedies were lying in steam baths, taking cold dip s in the sea, applying bisters or swallowing doses of strychnine, arsenic, and calomel" (McLynn 232). Disease stopped the Europeans from moving quickly through Africa. The symptoms of illness and loss of life halted exploration. Symptoms of malaria were incapacitating; they included "chills, fever, and sweating" ("Malaria"). The cause of malaria was unknown until it was discovered that it was "caused by a blood parasite of man,... ...rta. CD-ROM. Microsoft. 1994. Manderson, Lenore Ph.D. "Public Health Developments in Colonial Malaya:   Colonialism and the Politics of Prevention." America Journal of Public Health. Jan 1999: 102-107. Masland, Tom, and Rod Nordland. "10 Million Orphans." Newsweek. 17 Jan. 2000. 5 March 2000 http://newsweek.com/nw-srv/printed/us/in/a4881-2000jan9.htm. McLynn, Frank. Hearts of Darkness: The European Exploration of Africa. New York:   Carrol & Graf, 1993. 227-252. Reader, John. Africa: A Biography of the Continent. New York: Vintage Books, 1997.   239-248. Smaldone, Joseph P. "Disease and Empire: The Health of European Troops in the Conquest of Africa." The Journal of Military History. April 1999:   453-455. Online. Proquest. Proquest UMI. 28 Feb. 2000. Wekesser, Carol, ed. Africa: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1992. 24-32.

Human Genome Essay

Human cloning involves the creation of a copy of a human cell or tissue that is genetically identical. The major types of human cloning include reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2009). Therapeutic cloning involves the use of cells from an adult to be used in medicine while reproductive cloning involves making cloned human beings. Cloning has been done on both animals and plants. When done on plants it has been used to raise genetically modified crops. Gene therapy can occur in two forms somatic gene therapy and germline gene therapy. Somatic gene therapy involves removing cells from the patient and adding cloned genes to cells using a viral vector. The cells are amplified and those that have taken up the cloned gene are taken up. The transformed cells are then taken back into the patient (see figure 1). Some of the problems associated with this procedure include transgene integration and immune response killing the viral vector which may be marked as an intruder by the body’s immune system. The procedure has been used in many clinical trials, mainly for treating cancer. The Adeno associated virus is commonly used in this case as it does not cause an immune response, it has the ability to enter non-dividing cells and it integrates into a particular location in the genome of its host (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2009). Germline gene therapy is different from somatic therapy in that the newly introduced gene is incorporated into all of the cells in the animal’s body. This includes the germline that gives rise to gametes. The change that has occurred in the process is passed on to the next generation. To produce a transgenic animal, the embryo stem cells could be modified which is done by isolating stem cells and culturing them, adding DNA to cultured cells and selecting the transformed cells (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2009). Once selected, the transformed cells are injected into an early embryo and the embryo is implanted into the female. This produces mosaics in which some cells have different genotypes. Heterozygotes are mated to produce homozygous individuals which are in turn mated to produce a transgenic strain (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2009). A transgenic animal could also be produced by direct DNA injection where the transgene is injected directly into the male pronucleus before the male and female have fused (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2009). The injected DNA integrates into a chromosome and the injected zygote is then implanted into a foster mother (see figure 2). In the figure the baby mouse has the transgene in every cell in its body. Its expression depends on where the chromosome is integrated. Nowadays, however it is possible to have targeted gene insertion in some cases. Some of the medical applications of transgenic animals and plants include the production of model systems for the study of human disease for example where a certain gene product is lacking or where a certain gene has been over expressed or where there is a gene variant. An example of this the use of transplanted human stem cells by NIH scientists to improve the repair of bone injuries in rats (Guldberg, 2010). Standardization of such a treatment it offers a possible alternative to bone grafting operations. One of the successes of stem cell transplants has been seen in the successful attempts of new hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) in reversing sickle cell anemia in children (Rodgers et al, 2009). Other applications include the production of medically important proteins, the production of vaccines and production of tissues and organs for transplantation. Transgenic plants are also used to improve crops. In spite of these advantages, the issue of cloning still remains controversial.

Baskerville Murder Essay

Murder mystery tales are among the most popular book genre. Murder mysteries will usually consist of an unknown murder that killed a significant character. The detective has to decide among many suspects with clues he or she found in the course of the book. Authors typically write books of this genre because they give the reader a feeling of suspense and confusion as they read the story. It keeps them guessing and switching their opinions as new facts are read. In The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, protagonists, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson meet many people involved while trying to find the murderer of Sir Charles Baskerville, as said to be a mythical demon hound. Although there are many subjects in the case of the murder, Dr. Mortimer, The Barrymores, Jack Stapleton, and Roger Baskerville. Dr. James Mortimer is a medical practitioner. He is described as tall, thin, and good-natured with rather eccentric habits. He is the first suspect Holmes and Watson meet and the person to tell them about the case. He is possibly the murderer because he was in charge of Sir Charles will when he died. He could of manipulated the will to his own use. By killing Sir Charles the will follows whatever he would of made it. He challenges Holmes in the intro of the story to solve the case. He also owns a dog as shown on the carriage when him, Henry and Watson were headed to Baskerville Hall and discovered by the bite marks of his cane. Its possible that Mortimer could of used his dog and disguised him as the hound to scare Charles at a distance. He is also a close acquaintance to the Baskervilles so he knows a lot about the family that he could of used fro his plans. His information on Sir Charles’ condition at the time is explained when Mortimer said, â€Å"Within the last few month s it became increasingly plain to me that Sir Charles’s nervous system was strained to the breaking point† (Doyle, 43). With this information he could had literally â€Å"scared him to death† with any means that would relate to the hound’s curse. Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore are servants to Sir Charles and Henry. Mr. Barrymore is described as tall, thin and has a black beard. They are very close to the Baskervilles since their family served them for generations. Their motives could be after their wealth or maybe on the inside they are sick of serving them. The hound of legends could have been the Barrymores who served Hugo Baskerville and they were tired of a life of servitude. This hound could of went on from generation to generation. Supposedly, Holmes and Watson first seen Mr. Barrymore when they were chasing a man in a van and the driver described him as a short man with a black beard. When Watson and Henry arrive at Baskerville Hall, Mr. Barrymore says he and his wife would leave the hall soon because of Charles’ death and its too painful of them. As for Mrs. Barrymore, Watson says during the first night, â€Å"And then suddenly, in the very dead of the night, there came a sound to my ears†¦ It was the sob of a wo man, the muffled, strangling gasp of one who is torn by an uncontrollable sorrow† (Doyle, 159). The crying indeed comes from Mrs. Barrymore, which could have been caused, as Watson predicts, a haunting memory. Its possible the letter they received could also have something to do with the case. Jack Stapleton is a short man and a naturalist. He lives in the outskirts away from the other neighbors and the Baskerville Hall. He lives with his sister, Beryl and two servants. He became a suspect because Mortimer told Holmes and Watson that he knows the ins and outs of the moor. Watson first meets him when he came up to Watson and began a conversation. Oddly enough, he was interested in what Holmes and Watson thinks of the case and murder so far. After a few days with Stapleton, Watson believes something is not right about Stapleton and that he is masking his true colors to him. His motives could be that he is after the fortune of the family and only wants to be rich. When Beryl came to Stapleton and Watson while they finished their conversation, she said, â€Å"Go back! Go straight back to London, instantly†¦ Go away from this place at all costs! Hush, my brother is coming! Not a word of what I have said† (Doyle, 183). Thinking Watson was Henry, se gave him a warning , but said not to tell Stapleton. She later explains that he doesn’t want Henry to leave because the people need someone, but Watson is well aware she is hiding something. If Stapleton was the killer, he must be a master of disguise. When the driver described the man as short and with a black beard, Stapleton could of easily put on a fake beard and mislead the duo. He would also have access to Henry’s hotel room and take his shoes and he could of disguised himself as the hound. Roger Baskerville was the â€Å"black sheep† of the family when Hugo Baskerville was the owner. He is the son of Hugo and the brother of John. Mortimer states that he escaped to Latin America because he was an outcast and disgrace to the family. Interestingly enough, he never states if he died while there. Roger could of came back for revenge and would kill every Baskerville so he would be the only heir left. If he did survive and he came back, he is hiding somewhere from the people. What’s difficult is that anyone could be him because its unknown what he looks like. As Mortimer and Henry travel to Baskerville Hall, they were stopped and Perkins told them, â€Å"There’s a convict escaped form Princetown, sir. He’s been out for three days now, and the warders every road an every station, but they’re had no sight of him yet† (Doyle, 146). Roger could be the convict, Selden, and killed Charles before or after he was thrown in prison. Mortimer, the Barrymores, Stapleton and Roger Baskerville are the most likely suspects to the killer. Out of the four Stapleton could be the killer because he is more mysterious than the others and the fact he knows the moor makes him the prime suspect. Overall, mystery books are interesting because as the reader continues the story, his or her opinion will keep changing and gives the reader the suspense of who the person is. The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of many excellent mystery novels.