Genetically Modified Organisms Essay

Abstract Genetically modified crops and food involve the deliberate altering of the genetic material of plants and animals. Biotechnology when used for agriculture and food production will cause concerns over the environmental, economic and ethical issues that this technology affects. Genetically modified crops that are resistant to pesticides can help contribute to increased yields and agricultural growth. Most foods we consume today have been genetically modified or they have ingredients that are derived from gene modification technology. Some specific fears expressed about genetically modified organisms are the fear of the unknown and also cultural, ethical and environmental. The benefits from GMO crops include longer shelf-life, improved nutritional quality, increased crop yield. The benefits of GM crops and food seem to outweigh the risk. The agencies that  regulate this technology and the businesses that are involved in this technology should help enhance public awareness for worldwid e acceptance of genetically modified crops and food. The Food and Drug Administration known as the FDA has been focusing their time and money on food biotechnology. The use of biotechnology when used for agriculture and food production increases the environmental, economic and ethical concerns. The use of genetically engineered organisms poses apprehensive questions on the risk to human health. Progress in technology and especially genetic engineering of food is not what it once was. The way food was once grown and made has long passed. What are the possible risks and effects of this technology and is there enough information to determine the consequences GMOs will have on human health. This technology dates back to the early 1900s and in 1935 Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was first discovered by Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky a Russian scientist. Recombinant DNA a form of artificial DNA was created in 1973 and in 1994 insulin produced by genetically engineered E. coli bacteria is sold on the market. Genetically modified organisms hit the grocery stores in 1994 and the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first genetically engineered crop product called the FLAVR SAVR tomato. This tomato has a longer shelf life than conventional tomato, but in 1997 the Flavr Savr was pulled off the grocery shelves due to economic difficulties. The marketplace began embracing GMO technology and by 1999 over 100 million acres worldwide are planted with genetically engineered seeds. GMOs are referred to as crop plants that are created for human and/or animal consumption which have been genetically modified in laboratories. In 1997 scientist have figured out how to stack genes (combining more than one trait from the same plant) and it is estimated that 89 percent of all soybeans and 61 percent of all corn grown in the United States has been genetically engineered(International Food Information Council, 2007). The FDA approved genetically engineered corn, soy, cotton, canola, potato, squash and tomato for commercialization in 1995 and since then the amount of crops genetically engineered has been steadily increasing. The genes are often altered to render the plant resistant to either insects or herbicides. You are likely eating genetically engineered potato chips or potato chips that  have been fried in canola, corn or soy oil. In the United States and most of the world people are consuming large amounts of genetically modified foods and don’t even realize. In 1994 the FDA approved genetically modified organisms for food crops and approval for GMO crops by the FDA has increased since. The number of crops since 2012 approved by the FDA has been 144 crops. Crops that have herbicide-tolerant traits are widely and rapidly adopted in the United States and out of the 144 crops approved by the FDA roughly around 75 percent are genetically engineered to withstand direct applications of he rbicides and/or contain an insecticide BT toxin. Countries with poor resources can benefit from biotechnology which will help provide more stable crops. Genetically modified crops can increase the nutritional quality of agricultural products and also help reduce season planting problems and cut cost. Crops can be produced to be resistant to herbicide which means they can be sprayed with herbicide to kill weeds and the crops will not be affected. This will help reduce the amount of herbicide used and a reduction in cost for the farmers and consumers. Cost for genetically modified foods may be expensive in the initial stages of research but, in the end this option will cost less overall for farmers due to the reduction in pesticide and herbicide which will help produce higher yields of quality product. Legal and ethical concerns that GMOs present are an ongoing debate. People wonder if it is ethical to file intellectual property on the genetic sequence of an organism. Biotech companies argue that IP-based revenue is used to promote further research and some worry that ownership of a particular sequence prevents widespread research and hinders scientific discovery. The U.S Supreme court ruled that patents cannot be filed on naturally occurring human gene sequences, but this ruling left room for loopholes and does not apply to GMO products. Legal debates are far from over. The political implications on genetic engineering in the world of science and around the world are a controversial topic. It is evident that with population on the rise there will not be enough production of food to sustain the needs of the growing population. This could be a possible solution to help sustain the world food supply. Research and testing is helping raise livestock and grow crops more efficiently. There are many concerns behind the genetic practices and over the safety of genetically modified foods on humans. The natural balance of the environment  also needs to be raised to include the impact that genetically modifying food will have on the environment. The question is can genetically modified foods be a good solution to help feed the growing population and what are the pros and cons associated with the social, ethical and scientific implications? How difficult would it be to segregate genetically modified organisms from other organisms and what effects could this introduction of new genes into the natural context of the environment have? Tests conducted on genetically modified crops only look at short-term effects not what effects it could have in the long range. Genetic structure on any living thing is very intricate and complex. The consequences that technology of genetically modified organism could have on the environment is not known and a system as complex as genetic codes is not something to take lightly and should not be taken for granted without knowing all the facts. Despite the legal, ethical and environmental controversies surrounding GMO products there is potential on many different research horizons. Genetic engineering could prove to be a useful tool to help address the increasing rate of population and the problem of global hunger must be addressed. It is important to weigh the benefits and consequences and not dismiss this technology before we have all the facts. There needs to be more research to help evaluate the safety of genetic engineering and to realize its full potential for scientific discovery. We will discuss throughout the rest of this paper the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modifying foods and crops. There needs to be further studies conducted to fully understand the effects this could have on human health and also on the environment. The concerns raised by environmental groups, religious organizations, political interest groups and government officials, scientist and different associations about genetically modified foods are criticized for businesses pursuing profits without worrying about the potential hazards and also for the government’s failure to exercise any regulatory oversight. Everyone has an opinion on GMOs and until we have further information we have to assume that it could be a good solution to our growing population and food supply, but we need to take the necessary precautions before we find ourselves worse off. There are many political issues with genetically modified organisms, but the  one that most people pay attentions to is â€Å"should labeling be required when dealing with genetically modified organisms?† Currently the United States does not require labeling for genetically modified organisms. Let me take some to time to explain what the term labeling means. When genetically modified foods have a label on it, it states that it was made from genetically modified crops. The United States and Canada are the only countries that do not require labeling on genetically modified foods. There are 50 countries in the world that either ban genetically modified organisms completely or have a lot of restrictions on it. The labeling of genetically modified foods has been known to cause concerns. There are several positive and negative arguments of labeling genetically modified organisms. One positive argument of labeling genetically modified organisms is that consumers have the right to know what is in their food. Another positive argument about labeling genetically modified organisms is that it will allow consumers to stay away from the food that causes them problems. A negative argument of labeling genetically modified organisms is that it may imply a warning about health issues. Another negative argument of labeling genetically modified organisms is it will impose a cost on all consumers. As of right now it does not look like the United States requirements for labeling genetically modified organism will change anytime soon. There are not any requirements for the way food is labeled, but there are federal bills in play that could change the way genetically modified foods are labeled in the future. There are a few states that approved the legislation for requiring labels on genetically modified organisms. The first state that approved the legislation was Connecticut and that happened in 2003. Recently Maine was the second state to approve the legislation. These legislations that were approved will not go into effect until more of the northeastern states endorse a similar legislation. New Hampshire House rejected a GMO labeling bill. Just this year alone 67 genetically modified organisms labeling bills have been presented in 25 states. Last year in 2013 there were 110 genetically modified organisms bills presented in 32 states. Currently there are four states with pending legislations on GMO labeling; these states include California, Missouri, Minnesota and Rhode Island. Along with the states that have the pending legislations, there are a few more states that are trying to put the GMO labeling question on the ballot. The states that are trying to put the question on the ballot are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, and Oregon. Last year Washington voters rejected the genetically modified organism ballot; and that ballot turned out to be the most expensive ballot question ever. In the United States three different government agencies have jurisdiction over the genetically modified organism foods. The agencies include Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. The EPA evaluates genetically modified plants for environmental safety. The EPA also conducts risk assessment studies on pesticides that could cause harm to human health and the environment. The USDA evaluates whether the plant is safe to grow or not. The USDA is responsible for all the genetically modified organism crops that do not fall under the umbrella of the EPA; an example of the crops that the USDA handles are drought tolerant, and disease tolerant crops. The USDA has several internal divisions which all share the responsibility for assessing genetically modified organism foods. The divisions that are included in the USDA are the Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. The FDA evaluates whether the plant is safe to eat or not. The FDA believes that genetically modified organism foods are substantially equivalent to unmodified, natural foods, and is not subject to FDA regulations. A lot of companies that are working on new genetically modified foods are not required to consult with the FDA, nor do they have to follow the FDA’s recommendations. The current FDA policy was created in 1992 and it states that companies may voluntarily ask the FDA for a consultation. The FDA agency does not have the time, money or resources to carry out the safety studies of all the genetically modified food products. Everyone might not support genetically modified organisms, but they are very cost effective. The genetic engineering crops can be grown and survive  longer than organic crops. When using genetically engineered crops such as insect resistant crops saves money because they require less pesticides to be used. These genetically modified crops will help all farmers save money as well as help them gain profits. There are many economic advantages for genetically modified foods. Some of the advantages are pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. There are many fungi and bacteria that can cause plant diseases. Some biologists are working on genetically engineered crops that will prevent the fungi and bacteria that cause the diseases. Herbicide is a spray that farmers use to destroy weeds instead of removing the weed physically themselves. Spraying herbicides is a time consuming and expensive process. The herbicides could potentially harm the crops and the environment. Pesticide resistance is said to be one of the most damaging impacts that genetically engineered crops have caused in the economy. Farmers typically use many tons of chemical pesticides annually. People do not want to eat food that has been treated with pesticides because of the potential health hazards. There are millions of acres of farmlands in the United States that are infested by weeds that have become resistant to herbicide. The â€Å"Roundup Ready† trait has promoted the accelerated development of resistance in several weed species. The â€Å"Roundup Ready† trait was engineered to tolerate the herbicide. In order for farmers to fight these weeds they have to use more toxic herbicides. There are some companies that are working to develop new genetically engineered crops to tolerate the older herbicides, but there is no guarantee that the same thing as before will not happen again. Along with economic advantages, there are also disadvantages. Some people believe that the farmers are the biggest losers when it comes to genetically modified agriculture. It is believed that farmers are tricked with deceptive advertising. Although genetically modified crops can produce a little more corn than organic crops; genetically modified crops reduces other output from the plant for example seeds, leaves, roots etc. Organic crops serve as food for earthworms, fungi, and other beneficial insects that will turn it  into fertilizer for the next crop. The genetically modified organism can decimate the communities of organisms that create soil, so that the farmer is stuck wondering why their soil fertility drops every year. In countries like India, the people are afraid that if they switch over to genetically modified organisms many people will lose their jobs. India is a country with over 1.1 billion people and it continues to grow. There are over 600 million farmers in India, and if they were to start using genetically modified organisms then over 580 million farmers will be looking for work. There are no other job industry in India that is creating this many jobs. It would not be logical for India farmers to switch to genetically modified crops. They would go from about 580 million farmers to only 20 million farmers; that just an impact that it will have on India’s economy. Genetically Modified Organisms has been a growing hot button issue over the past decade. As time has come and gone, many farmers have started growing cheaper genetically modified crops, which have created a surplus of genetically modified food. This has created a lot of tension between consumers and suppliers and now many of these consumers are demanding that the genetically modified foods be properly labeled. This has caused a sort of media frenzy along with many negative psychological and sociological effects because these consumers don’t know what they are putting in their body. It has become increasingly evident that genetically modified foods (genetically altered in an unnatural way) make people exceptionally uneasy, because they are unhealthy and to be completely honest, they don’t know what exactly is in it. Many consumers are starting to publicly ponder what sort of long term health risks might be associated with genetically modified foods, even though in 1992 the FDA announced that these GMO’s are generally safe, it is safe to assume that time has also been a factor in people’s restlessness. During this economic turmoil that the United States is suffering (an estimated 17 trillion dollars), many farmers have been looking for any and all possible ways of cutting their agricultural costs so their  profit margins can become higher. Genetically modified crops have been the answer, especially with all the companies that have a current high demand for them, these farmers have definitely exploited that demand. You can’t really blame them as it’s really these corporations trying to cut cost when there mass producing these food products (especially frozen foods). They are numerous citizen outreach groups, like the Coalition for Safe Affordable Foods aim to lower costs but keep the same healthy quality food and as time continues these groups will only become stronger and stronger simply because of how many people are starting to realize how unhealthy their daily food from grocery stores actually is. The labeling uproar is only the first step in what promises to be a lengthy process to make America’s food increasingly healthy. These Genetically modified crops are planted in fields similar to regular crops and they interact directly with different organisms that would normally feed on the crops and would interact incidentally with other creatures in the food chain. Again like normal crops, the pollen from the engineered crop is released into the environment, which has led to serious concerns about the possible effects that genetically engineered crops on other species and about the gene flow, the transfer of alleles (a number of alternative forms of same gene or same genetic locus) or genes from one population to another. In reality these lower agricultural costs aren’t the only useful trait that genetically engineered crops can have. Since they are genetically engineered, companies and farmers can chose exactly what they want to genetically altered. Some common useful traits for genetically engineered crops are resistance to pests/herbicides, able to increase nutritional value, and for the production of other valuable goods such as pharmaceutical drugs. These crops, while under development, are able to thrive in environmental conditions outside the species native range. Obviously there are some big negatives with genetically engineered crops, most of which have been made relatively public, but there are some positives if companies start using genetically altered plants in a more responsible manner. The willingness of consumers to pay a premium price for organic foods (food not genetically modified) has come at a time when genetically modified foods have come under scrutiny. Studies, like Lusk JL, Jamal M. Kurlander L, Roucan M, Taulman L, whom created a meta-analysis of genetically modified food valuation studies found, in a review of 25  studies, found a premium of 29 percent for non-genetically modified foods. These studies also revealed that Europeans are much more willing to pay a premium for non-GM foods than their American counterpart. This is also consistent with public policy, as there are required labeling of all genetically modified. In the United States, although there may be change in the future due to a large increase in consumer’s demand to know exactly what is going in their body, still has no labeling policies. The one exception in the United States is Whole Foods, who independently (mainly because they view themselves as the healthy grocery store compared to the Food Lions, Walmart, and Targets of the world) announced at Natural Products Expo West in March 2013, that all products in every store in the United States and Canada â€Å"must be labeled to indicate if they contain genetically modified organisms (GMO)† per Whole Foods press release. As of late, genetic modification of food has been associated with a great deal of media attention, although technically this rise of media coverage was by the spring of 1999 (add). With the rise of GMO awareness groups (especially when considering food) media attention has risen in the past decade due to consumer complaints have also led to a more close eye on what exactly is going on, and further investigation into what we, as a country, are putting into our body. Through all of the media frenzy and consumer uproar, eat healthy movements have led many of these consumers to question the validity of the GMO companies claiming their products are healthy. Many people are looking to European countries as evidence on how to run a healthy country, but in reality there is a great deal of precaution (an important theme in international relation, especially in environment and public health instances) has been a very delicate question in transatlantic relations, especially pertaining to regulation laws. This precaution usually stems from the differences in laws in how genetically modified foods can be shipped from country to country. GMO’s are good examples of how regulatory laws greatly vary from country to country (the European Union has much more strict regulatory laws compared to the United States). There has been a positive trend especially at the state/community level, where in some cases there has been extensive legislation and policy changes over the past quarter century. I think that the biggest mystery in all this genetically modified food chaos is the FDA’s lack of influence, which has in turn  created tension betw een them and various states and has ultimately caused a guessing game in the grocery aisle for many customers. The common thought between consumers is that the FDA has not played nearly enough roles when regulating genetically modified foods. Due to their negligence farms are rapidly increasing their use of genetically modified crops (which have a significantly lower cost per square foot then natural crops), which has increased their presence in food. A perfect example of a drastic rise in genetically modified ingredients is the soybean in the United States over only the last 10 years. In 1997 17 percent of the soybean acreage was genetically modified, and today that percentage is upwards of an astounding 93 percent. The FDA’s presence would be a great benefit to the â€Å"eat healthy movements†, and at some point they will be forced to make their move. It is understandable that consumers are now standing up and demanding to know if GMO’s are present in their food. It is their right, and unfortunately due to the United States nature of catering to big business (i.e. oil/gas prices) it is taken away. There have been many positive strides in this eat healthy front, and the numbers of these groups will only continue to rise, especially if the FDA doesn’t step in. Consumers have a right to know what is in their food, and until they achieve that right, they will fight for themselves and for the children of America. Genetically modified organisms have brought good news and a brighter future for many, but have also been called into question by our ethics. Genetically modified organisms or GMOs, have had a huge impact when it comes to foods and its production along with any other areas it may touch. There is a vast spectrum, from ending world hunger to being able to produce indulgent, yet unnecessary, foods like burgers in a lab (Lynas, 2014). It’s a truly fascinating thing to see such unimaginable science at work; and the endless, and quite unclear, possibilities it may bring. With an infinite amount of uncertain prospects, should there be some rules, standards, or guidelines set in place and reinforced for those who are practicing the science? Society has witnessed how technology can benefit us, but we have also come to realize the many downsides following close behind. Society needs to take the time to analyze both sides of the spectrum related to genetically modified organisms, crops, a nd food, when it comes to our environment, our  morals, and our ethics. Golden rice is one of the most talked about gifts produced by GMOs. The GMOs that created golden rice have made it possible for it to produce beta-carotene, in hopes of reducing vitamin A deficiency (Lynas, 2014). An independent humanitarian board runs the project, though there are doubts as to where the technological producers’ intentions truly lie. Society has seen the interests they have in looking for ways to end world hunger, but the revenue GMOs also produce can be a strong motivational factor. Malnutrition has been a problem for some unfortunate countries, most of which are undeveloped and poverty stricken. Countries who either cannot plant crops due to lack of fertile land, or do not have the money to buy nourishment. When something as precious as golden rice looks so appealing and promising, why is it that there are organizations such as Greenpeace rising against these â€Å"good crops†? (Lynas, 2014) Genetically modified organisms are beneficial in many ways. The GMOs used to cultivate a new class of crops, known as genetically modified crops, have a list of other valuable qualities besides its fruitful fields. Think about a farmer’s market or any other store where you may do your grocery shopping. Now imagine it being filled with many colorful and delightful looking vegetables and fruits, a real lavish produce dream. That dream is not far from becoming true if GM crops were able to truly flourish. There are crops, such as the Bt brinjal (genetically modified eggplant variation). Bt brinjal are resistant to certain complications that farmers must combat during the harvest. Having resistant genetically modified crops would remove the need to spray insecticides, thus reducing exposure of carcinogenic residues for both farmers and consumers (Lynas, 2014). Mark Lynas said in his article titled Good Crops, â€Å"These crops can reduce the use of environmentally damaging agrochemicals, and several have been developed by public-sector organizations concerned with food security, the reduction of poverty, and sustainability.† The lists of advantages GM crops have shown so far in our environment bring some people hope for a rich future. There is the opportunity to better the environment, our morals, and our ethics with these advanced crops. The ability to produce a crop that will  yield abundant bounties could reduce the need to look for more fertile land. With less land, but a bigger harvest, the environment and its inhabitants could certainly thrive. Also, GM crops that are more resistant allow our environment to be less polluted by insecticides, pesticides, and other undesirable toxins (Caplan, 2013). There is this strong chance that genetically modified crops, and their fruits, can prove the grass is greener on the other side. And though the unvisited sight seems attractive and somewhat necessary, would one dare to venture off into an unknown area? The remarkable technology of genetically modified crops and foods has much to offer. Nonetheless there are unintended consequences that are growing silent ly, and even though they are not completely formulated, they must be addressed. Unintended consequences are unforeseen outcomes society must face when it is determined to proceed with a decision, a course of action. There are many reasons why these consequential drawbacks arise, some that are inevitably unavoidable (Vernon, 1979). Researchers are only humans who make mistakes, and can overlook small details, which can lead to hapless outcomes. Like with any technology, genetically modified organisms should not be dismissed as inconsequential. There are still many unanswered questions scientists have yet to address when it comes to genetically modified crops. The main reason is that genetically modified technology is still in the early stages. There is a vast array of knowledge in the subject, yet there is still a lot of experimentation required in order to consider GMOs stable and safe. The author of the Impact of GMO on Environment and Human Health Jai Godheja shares some scary, but possible unintended consequences GM crops can lead to in the near future. The m ost controversial term being used on the topic of GM crops is genetic pollution, which basically describes what could happen when genetically modified organisms contaminate organisms unintendedly. Genetic pollution can affect the ecological system in many ways. The uncontrolled flow of genetic information being released by GM crops can cause organic or untreated organisms, to completely be wiped out (Godheja, 2013). GMOs are not organic, and if they were to poison our entire environment, nothing would be considered natural anymore. Recently, there was an interview with a farmer who was growing organic fruit, but when  tested, the end product had traces of GMOs. This discovery lead to people questioning what they are consuming. Farmers have everything to gain, but what of the people ingesting the supposed â€Å"safe† yet unidentified creations? Not to mention, the environment is ever-changing, evolving, and modifying to be able to survive in its own natural way. Therefore the, now modified as well, organisms that have always attacked the farmer’s harvest can, and more than likely will, find a way to develop resistance against pesticides and herbicides at hand (G odheja, 2013). Suddenly our delightful, and prosperous, dreams start to turn into a bitter nightmare. As the saying goes, â€Å"One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,† just as well can be said about our nightly thoughts. One person’s dreams could be another’s nightmares. The world is filled with numerous cultures that each has their own ideas, opinions, religion, and thoughts on how individuals should live their life. The ethics and morals of people, already seen as not being defined clearly by any one populace, extend even more when thought about on a global scale. The rights and wrongs could be flipped; the evils of some can be seen as blessings to others, and the good can be interpreted as wicked depending on the mentality. Now throw in a contentious subject matter like GMOs, and heads are bound to clash. Some agree GM crops are extensively worthwhile and should be fully supported, while the opposing side calls into question not only its safety but its ethical issues as well. Al-Hayani states in his article, â€Å"God has commanded us to seek knowledge and make discoveries to better our lives and our environment† (Al-Hayani, 2007). However, due to the diverse mindsets, the definition of what may be better is uncertain. Ethics is defined as the study of â€Å"doing the right thing,† so what people must figure out and come to a conclusion is whether genetically modified food is ethical. For some this question is not easily answered because there are numerous, both good and bad, things to consider. Furthermore even when those considerations are taken into account and categorized, one can still stand as undecided. An individuals’ ethics can lie all over the place, and never be clearly defined. Ethics are what make each person who they are, and can swiftly change depending on the circumstances they find themselves under. One shouldn’t be judge by their actions, but it does help outline their code of ethics and morals. Religion has a huge impact on many of our ethics. Everything created by God is considered natural and blessed by God, thus there is nothing unethical about his creations (Sandu, 2010). GMOs are not considered natural because humans have created them, and God himself even though he created the means cannot bless them. â€Å"According to its kind† is the statement Sandu repeats in his article as a biblical quotation, in order for his audience to understand God created grass and trees that would produce seeds that would in return produce more fruitful trees. The trees produced were pure breeds, or â€Å"good species.† There was the chance of crossbreeding, but this was still considered naturally hybrid because there was no human interaction involved (Sandu, 2010). A rule of thumb to remember in this context is once humans have interfered with natural processes, for example putting two species unlikely to crossbreed in an enclosed area for that intention, then immediately t he creation becomes tarnished—unnatural. Consequently it is then believed to be unethical by some. Yet others would agree the benefits GMOs have provided are ethically sound. Going back to Al-Hayani’s statement, the creation of GMOs, though unnatural, has shown some promise in bettering our lives and our environment. Genetically modified crops have provided an abundance of produce, as well as improved products like golden rice, in order to better our lives and that of others in need. With that said, GMOs would seem to be accepted as ethically sound. It is the people’s social responsibility to address and seek solutions to problems such as world hunger. Society is currently at a point where it has acknowledged problems alike and are searching, even found, answers. It is said that poverty has seen a larger decrease in the past fifty years, than the prior five centuries (Al-Hayani, 2007). There is no denying the many benefits technology, referring back to our topic of GMOs, can provide to improve our world. One couldn’t imagine such commendable technology being questioned or seen as unethical when it is providing society with indefinite aforementioned results. And even so it holds its skeptics. With all the technology available to us, there are some individuals who make the mistake of believing we control nature. It’s unwelcomed by some to think nature controls us, and unacceptable to give in to the idea we will never have complete control of our environment. Genetically engineered technologies continue to garner mixed feelings. The unstable technology has  been able to deliver assistance to society, but even the worldly provided benefits have been called into question considering its enigma. Though we may not all have the same beliefs, there is one statement that stands out and should be remembered by us all: â€Å"God didn’t make a mistake, no matter how much we’ll strive or boast, trying to transform ourselves in creators, we can’t arrange things better than the way He did† (Sandu, 2010). There is so much technology that serves many outcomes to our people, our society, our environment, and our future. All in all, it’s important to always keep, not one’s, but everybody’s best interest in mind. References: Al-Hayani, F. (2007). Biomedical ethics: Muslim perspectives on genetic modification. Zygon: Journal Of Religion & Science, 42(1), 153-162. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9744.2006.00812.x ARS : Home. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ars.usda.gov/main/main.htm Battle over gmo labeling rumbling in us. (2014, march 16). Retrieved from http://www.nst.com.my/world/battle-over-gmo-labeling-rumbling-in-us-1.516003 Bizeau, C. (n.d.). Social, political, and economic impact. Retrieved from http://tbcgeneticmod.wix.com/gmos CAPLAN, A. L. (2013). Genetically Modified Food: good, bad, ugly. Chronicle of Higher Education, 60(2), B4-B5. Catacora-Vargas, G. (2012). Socio-economic considerations in gmo decision-making . Retrieved from http://www.ensser.org/fileadmin/files/1.3-Catacora-paper.pdf Colson, G., & Rousu, M. C. (2013). What do consumer surveys and experiments reveal and conceal about consumer preferences for genetically modified foods?. GM Crops & Food, 4(3), 1-8. doi:10.4161/gmcr.26322 Constable, A., Jonas, D., Cockburn, A. Davi, A., Edwards, G., Hepburn, P. & Samuels, F. (2007). History of safe use as applied to the safety assessment of novel foods and foods derived from genetically modified organisms. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 45(12), 2513- 2525. Debora , W. (2000, April). Genetically modified foods: Harmful or helpful?. Retrieved from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php Devos, Y., Maeseele, P., Reheul, D., Van Speybroeck, L., & De Waele, D. (2008). Ethics in the societal debate on genetically modified organisms: A (re)quest for sense and sensibility. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 21(1), 29. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10806-007-9057-6 Godheja, J. (2013). Impact of GMO’S on environment and human health. Recent Research In Science & Technology, 5(5), 26-29. Helme, M. (2013). Genetically Modified Food Fight: The FDA Should Step Up to the Regulatory Plate so States Do Not Cross the Constitutional Line. Minnesota Law Review, 98(1), 356-384. Hiatt, Shon R., and Sangchan Park. â€Å"Lords of the Harvest: Third- party Influence and Regulatory Approval of Genetically Modified Organisms.† Academy of Management Journal (forthcoming). Lynas, M. (2014). Good Crops. Technology Review, 117(1), 12. Prah, P. (2014, March 03). Here’s what gmo labeling will cost you. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/13/gmo-labels_n_4956995.html Sandu, G. H. (2010). Biblical Bioethics essay concerning genetically modified organisms. Scientific Papers: Series D, Animal Science – The International Session Of Scientific Communications Of The Faculty Of Animal Science, 12-14. Schrà ¶er, W., & Schmidt, G. (2013). Supporting monitoring effects of genetically modified organisms by GIS-technologies and geodata – an overview. Biorisk: Biodiversity & Ecosystem Risk Assessment, 8111-120. doi:10.3897/biorisk.8.4038 Selected Internet Resources on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.istl.org/10-winter/internet2.html Vernon, R. (Feb., 1979). Political Theory, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 57-73, Unintended Consequences†¨ Published by: Sage Publications, Inc.†¨Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/190824 Accessed: 25/08/2010 15:52 University of California San Diego. (n.d.). Genetically modified organisms (gmo). Retrieved from http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/gmo.html Wirth, D. A. (2013). The world trade organization dispute concerning genetically modified organisms: Precaution meets international trade law. Vermont Law Review, 37(4), 1153- 1188. Wohlers, A. E. (2013). Labeling of genetically modified food. Politics & The Life Sciences, 32(1), 73-84. doi:10.2990/32_1_73

Management position within hospitality industry

The most complex work in the hotel in terms of communication and of coordinating and completing working documents is done by Floor Managers. These employees often supervise others who perform service tasks directly for the guests. Floor Managers are responsible for liaising between Room Attendants on the guest floors and managers in the housekeeping office.Qualifications required are a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in hotel management, and work experience in hospitality industry. At the basement-level housekeeping office, Floor Managers report and monitor room status and special room requests received from other parts of the hotel. They check the computer-generated status reports for discrepancies from their visual checks of the actual rooms. If a room coded for check-out appeared occupied on the floor, they would check the Expected Departure report on the computer to see if the guest had actually checked out (Bardi 2002).Usually, the main requires are:SupervisionInvent ory managementQuality ControlCoordination of other managers and staffShipping and receivingDocumentary control (Floor Manager Position 2007).The responsibilities are:Each one supervises 15 Room Attendants and two Housemen, covering three to four floors, or 240–320 rooms.On the floors, they check the status and progress of room cleaning, inspected rooms and augmented the Room Attendants' work.One of their duties, for example, is putting triple bed sheets and extra amenities in VIP rooms.They have to get the extra sheet, then take some of the bedding off and remake the bed. The number of VIPs they had to do beds for is never predictable, and they have to squeeze them into their regularly scheduled activities.The number of floors and rooms Floor Managers are responsible for varied, too, because of airline employee guests, who rarely checked out until after the day shift finished, and because of movement in the predicted house counts (overall room occupancies) (Powers and Barrows 2002).The Floor Managers are all in the office together at three times during the day: the beginning and end of the shift, and during the midmorning clearing and briefing meeting. These are busy, but not clearly structured times, with managers picking up special supplies, double-checking irregularities in the room status reports, answering phones. In Hilton Hotels, for instance, Floor Managers work is organized as follows:workday starts, between 7 and 8; the Floor Managers come in and prepared their own worksheets for the day; they check the 6:30 a.m. room status reports and special requests, along with the log book confirming their floor assignments;  then they go up on the floors to check the room status and supply needs with each Room Attendant, who has verified their status as soon as she/he arrives on the floor;Floor Managers then return downstairs to check and adjust room assignments against the Coordinator's log book (Powers and Barrows 2002). For example, some rooms in th e early-morning computer status report noted as vacant and clean may have become occupied in the interim. Or vacant and clean rooms may have become VIP or rush rooms, which Floor Managers would hear about in the office and have to inform the Room Attendant about. In many cases, Floor Manager’s position is called a â€Å"supervisor†.Floor Managers themselves have to identify VIP rooms and they have to spend extra time to set up the rooms, and collect and deliver the extras. The VIP rooms could not be neglected, and they are seldom blocked (assigned by Front Desk) in advance. So throughout the day, Floor Managers have to monitor upcoming VIP rooms and prepare them in time for the guests' arrival (Powers and Barrows 2002).Work stress and pressure is a remarkable feature of this position. Very often, checking room reports against their lists, for example, is interrupted by a ringing telephone or a co-worker's query. Most often the interruption involves a guest's urgent req uest, which demanded an immediate response. People write down notes, speak on the phone to guests, page others to fill requests and relay orders to the Centralized Action Room. Several talks at once; seldom are the exchange restricted to two people (Stutts 2001).Floor Managers work primarily from photocopied forms attached to clipboards that they fill out each day as they completed their work. The worksheets serve as organizational tools, memory aids and long-term records, to be boxed and stored for a prescribed number of years. From my observations throughout the hotel, the computers stored information on sales, purchases, personnel and payroll, and guests and occupancy rather than any detailed records of daily work.And unless each Floor Manager is equipped with a hand-held computer, inputting such information would have been impractical when there is already a paper record. In the basement office, Floor Managers also check for recent special requests like rush rooms or VIPs, or th ey receive them as phone messages, occasionally via pager (Stutts 2001).ReferencesBardi J.A. (2002). Hotel Front Office Management Wiley; 3 edition. Floor Manager Position (2007). Retrieved 01 July 2007, Powers T., Barrows C.W. (2002). Introduction to the Hospitality Industry. Wiley, 5 edition. Stutts A. (2001). Hotel and Lodging Management. An Introduction. Wiley.

Psychological Interview Essay

A person’s personality and attitude are dynamic and made up of various, complex set of factors. The question of nature versus nurture and its contribution to a person’s personality has been debated for decades. Based on the interview that I conducted, I have come to a conclusion that one’s environment plays a more crucial role in one’s behavior. This is because one’s upbringing and culture overrode any biological tendencies that a person may inherently and internally possess.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I interviewed a close family friend of mine named Lauren Reyes.   To figure out if biology has an impact on her behavior, I asked her if hormones influence her behavior towards other people. She said that she experiences mood swings but â€Å"[my] actions usually depend on the situation and the expectation of others.† Her answer conveyed that the expectation of others around her has been primarily based on what society deems is the proper reaction/behavior in a given situation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I also inquired about the traits that she have that has been influenced by her parents. She said that being kind, helpful, forgiving and considerate are the traits that she has learned from her parents. She has internalized being kind and helpful to the point that she is aware that she reflects those attributes when dealing with other people. This is demonstrated when I asked her how she sees herself. She told me that she sees herself as â€Å"friendly, approachable, and nice/kind†¦.like[s] to hel[p] others.† Her notion of herself as helpful is in turn perceived by others because she said that â€Å"I guess others just see me that way as well, because they turn to me for help.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, her forgiving attitude is exhibited by the fact that she cannot stay mad at a person for a week. She also considers herself as â€Å"soft†, hence she easily forgives people. Meanwhile her considerate nature is illustrated when she does things for other people, especially to those that are dear to her, that she knows will benefit them. This is what motivates her to accomplish her goals and to do something productive in her life. Also, being considerate toward others is a strong influence on her behavior. Therefore, her actions in any matter will always be based upon how it will effect the lives or situation of those that she knows well and cares about.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Her considerate nature is a clear indication of her INJF personality, which is based upon the Myers Briggs Test that can be taken by anyone who wants to know what kind of personality he/she have. An INJF person has a â€Å"strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others and genuinely enjoy helping their companions,† which she agrees are accurate descriptions of who she is. Thus, these people are regarded as the â€Å"Counselor Types.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This caring and helpful tendency extends to her romantic relationship. She thinks that an ideal relationship is when a person trieds to â€Å"mak[e] the other person [their significant other] happy.† She also acts like the motherly type in the relationship because she â€Å"like[s] to take care of [her] partner.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Similarly, her solid relationship with her friends is based upon the fact that she cares about them. This is also the reason that she remains loyal to them. This behavior is also reflective of her INJF personality, which shows that â€Å"she makes a decision based on emotion.† In this case, choosing her friends depending on how they make her feel.   Also, these genuine and warm feelings are extended to people that she just met. Although she admitted that she self-monitors her behavior around people that she just met and she is extra nice to them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Moreover, the fact that her parents have few, close friends influenced her view and attitude on choosing her friends wisely and the kind of people she befriends. She said that she becomes friends with people who are nice and trustworthy. Thus, she is very selective when it comes to the people she will be friends with, which is also a mark of an INJF.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     On the contrary, her performance in school has been greatly influenced by her desire to â€Å"make [her] parents proud†¦[Hence] I study hard to maintain my good grades.† Thus, the desire to be outstanding in whatever she is doing comes from within. Therefore, Lauren is clearly motivated intrinsically. She also mentioned that her motivation to do well is not because she wants or expects a reward for a task. The reason she engages in a certain task is she gains a feeling of contentment whenever she is doing a specific task. In effect, this has contributed to a young lady who has become and continually shows to be a responsible person in all aspects of her life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Her responsible attitude, which also reflects a tremendous sense of independence, has ensued because her parents came home at around 8-9pm. Hence, they were not really around when she gets home after school. She described this circumstance as a significant part of her life and has made her who she is right now. It has also resulted in her not liking to rely on other people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As a former student, she preferred to study at home in her room with music playing in the background. This particular trait exhibited by Lauren is in accordance with INFJ personality, which states that â€Å"when the INFJ’s thinking function is operative [the person becomes] most aloof†¦ such distancing is merely an indication that the seer is hard at work† (Butt). In addition, learning new information for her becomes easier if she observes the behavior being performed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the other hand, her Filipino culture has molded her to be respectful towards older people, and accomodating to others. She said that she obeys older people out of respect and courtesy towards them. While her accommodating tendencies stem from the fact that she is viewed by others as approachable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Likewise, Lauren personally believes that culture â€Å"play[s] a role in forming personality and attitude [because] culture tells you the acceptable and unacceptable attitudes.† Also, according to Lauren culture determine gender roles because gender roles are â€Å"dictated by society†¦For example, men should not be too emotional; they have to be logical. Women, on the other hand, should be neat with their stuff.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Numerous studies has also suggested that a person’s environment is responsible for one’s behavior. Robert Tyron, a pioneer in behavior genetics, conducted a study among rats that are bright in going around a maze versus rats that are dull in performing the same task. The study showed that the dull rats’ ability to go around the maze improved once they were placed in a stimulating environment. Hence, the study indicated that the stimulating environment improved the rat’s capability in going around the maze (Intelligence and Mental Abilities).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, psychologist H.M. Skeels observed children who resided in orphanages in Iowa and were neglected by the adults that took care of them. The adults never read them stories, talk to them or played with them. The children were considered subnormal in intelligence when they took an IQ test. Two of the orphan girls were transferred to a an adult ward wherein the people â€Å"play[ed] with them, read to them, cheer[ed] them when they took their first steps, and encourag[ed] them to talk† (Intelligence and Mental Abilities). After 18 months, the IQ scores of these two girls improved.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is apparent, just with the studies mentioned earlier, that a person’s environment affected a person’s intelligence and performance in life. While my interview with Lauren also showed that a person’s upbringing and culture contributes to a person’s personality and attitude. Lauren’s traits-such as her kind, helpful, forgiving and considerate nature- and behavior toward others are formed and developed by her parents. While her culture played a part in her attitude and relations toward older people. However, her motivation for doing any task comes from within and her interactions with people are based on how she feels toward them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Overall, I personally believe that one’s environment clearly shapes a person’s personality and attitude in the long-run. People usually act in accordance with expected beliefs and mannerisms in the culture they are apart of. Hence, even if there is a segment of the population that are aggressive because they have high-levels of testosterone, proper etiquette and knowledge of societal norms will probably make them refrain from beating their loved ones or strangers. They may also decide to seek help with their out-of-control, aggressive behavior. Also, adequate child-rearing is essential to produce mature and responsible adults in our society. Thus, living conditions should be conducive to the development of a healthy, mature and responsible individual. Reference Butt, J. (2005). Introverted intuitive feeling judging. Retrieved February 1, 2008 from     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://typelogic.com/infj.html

What Makes a Food Organic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

What Makes a Food Organic - Essay Example Such chemicals make the foods lose their natural quality, because they have been raised up in an unnatural environment. We discussed how farmers can make their lands organic by enhancing soil fertility; and, how people can grow foods at a smaller scale at their homes, without the use of chemicals. In this paper, we shall discuss these issues in detail, giving great importance to how a food is made organic, both on small scale at homes and on large scale at farms. Literature has been sought, and may references of scholarly research have been quoted to support the argument that, although it is not scientifically proven how an organic food is more healthful than non-organic food, but it is believed that since organic foods are grown in the most naturally possible way, thus, they are better for health than non-organic foods, whether grown at small scale or large. ... Organic methods employed by farmers guarantee that such food is produced, and on such a scale, that satisfies global requirement without the need to increase or expand the agricultural land base, which is a very big advantage in the current situation of growing population and less land available to adjust it. However, according to Brian Halweil (2006), a Senior Researcher at World Watch Institute, Washington D.C., it is contradictory whether organic food supply can feed the world effectively, since organic farmers have to do a lot of hard work in land conversion; and, the crop yield is often less because the land takes many years to adjust to the conversion process. Whether organic food is tastier than non-organic conventional food is still a debate, but some studies, that have compared the organoleptic quality of both types of foods, have shown that organic food is better in taste and healthfulness (Sample, 2007). Two factors are responsible for this: higher levels of antioxidants a nd lower levels of average crop yields. When the aim is high crop yield, farmers tend to ignore the organoleptic quality of the crops. Availability of nitrogen to foods is also influential upon the quality and taste. Conventional farming involves lower levels of such antioxidants, thus, the integrity of cells is affected. Higher levels of nitrates tend to spoil the food. Since organic foods have lower levels of nitrates, and relatively higher levels of antioxidants, they have longer life when they come to market shelves. There have been many studies comparing organic and conventional apples for taste and quality; and, researchers have found that organic apples come out better, because they store

Report on Employee Attributes and Globalization Essay

Report on Employee Attributes and Globalization - Essay Example Having said that, there are four dimensions in Hofstedes that can be used as a basis for minimizing the risk of managing culture issues in operations. It is highly suggested that the following intercultural dimensions be sought: low power distance, low uncertainty, low individualism and low masculinity. Each of these dimensions would be discussed so readers would understand how these factors can increase the probability of a successful business in a host country. Low power distance would lead to more efficient decision-making inside the organization. If the host country has low power distance, it is easier to work through teams because people would not get tangled with organizational hierarchy. Instead, small groups can be established and team members can openly make suggestions. Everyone accepts responsibility for their mistakes and team members must learn how to collaborate closely. This empowers the employees by allowing them to responsible for their decisions. Low uncertainty can lead to a competitive advantage – innovation. Competition is intense due to globalization thus it is important for an organization to move fast. Cultures with low uncertainty are more open to change and can easily adapt to changes.

Victoria's secret enters Argentina ( Retail marketing plan) Assignment

Victoria's secret enters Argentina ( Retail marketing plan) - Assignment Example The current marketing strategy of the company has a very high reliance on the latest trends in advertising such as Facebook and the internet. The marketing objective is to develop a positive growth of over 15% in the coming two years. The segmentation, targeting and positioning of the company has been labelled as targeting the female population in the Argentine market, position itself in the right segment (geographical) and attract the entire female population to its products. The entry strategy will be through exports at the initial levels and then use mergers and acquisitions as well as franchising to develop faster into the new market. With both internal and external controls, the company hopes for a successful venture into the Argentine market. Retail marketing strategy refer to expansion of already established retail stores, the goods therein and the relationship that is created with the customers (Ferrell & Hartline, 2012, p. 34). All these established stores must make decisions about their details in the market as well as the marketing mix to concentrate on. A business strategy must therefore put in consideration all the factors that must be considered before a market is considered for supply as a retail store. Large retail stores may choose to venture into the international markets by virtue of expanding their sales. Victorias secret is the largest company in America specialising in making ladies’ lingerie. Founded in 1977, the company makes women’s’ wear and has progressed to an extent of planning to venture into new markets it has never operated in. This report seeks to establish a retail marketing plan of Victorias Secret Company in its bid to venture into the Argentine market. In view of this, it will make an analysis of the Argentina market structures with special focus on the culture of the country given that the company operates in the cloth line retail industry. A situational analysis will be carried out to

Quality Improvement Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Quality Improvement - Assignment Example Quality Improvement lth care services have the ability of bringing about substantive changes in the health status of a particular patient target group. It is based on this perspective that this paper discusses the different aspects attributed to quality improvement and an analysis of quality improvement story covering the seven steps involved in quality improvement. It is a critical aspect that for organizations to achieve a new level of performance, then there are various aspects that would have to change and provide evidence for quality improvement. Despite having different programs in Quality Improvement, substantive evident results in the incorporation of the four basic principles including focus on patients, focus on working as a team, focus on the use of data, and the aspect that Quality Improvement operate through the means of processes and systems. In order to understand Quality Improvement effectively, one has to have a substantive idea on what attributes Quality Improvement story. Quality Improvement story refers to a seven-step process and procedure on the various ways through which business processes can be improved. All the seven steps towards improvement of performances integrate each other, ensuring a collective way of performance towards the realization of a common goal. In the first step, there is the selection of appropriate theme, which should ideally focus on the particular problem that requires solution of a particular opportunity that requires exploitation.

1.Compare and contrast two perspectives on the idea that commercial Assignment

1.Compare and contrast two perspectives on the idea that commercial mass media provide a marketplace of ideas - Assignment Example rence is that, in a neoliberal society, in addition to the dominant elite controlling the message, there is also a message to the mass audience that the neoliberal tenants – that deregulation, private enterprise and low taxes are all good, as are income and wealth disparities – are the tenants that should be present in society. In contrast, the opposite views, the progressive views, that higher taxes should be pursued, government should be expanded, wealth should be more evenly distributed, and businesses should be firmly regulated, are all beliefs which would presumably harm the free market system and the corporations that make up the free market system, therefore these are the tenants which are disparaged in a neoliberal society. At any rate, under either of these ideas, there is not a free exchange of ideas, because the messages are so controlled by dominant forces. This essay will examine the two schools of thought – political economists and neoliberals †“ and show how each of these schools of thought leads to a mass media that does not disseminate ideas so much as it creates propaganda for the ruling elite. Political economists, according to Brenkman (1979) are in line with Karl Marx, as his critique of the bourgeois economy was known as political economy. The basis for Marxism, at least in the classical sense, is that the economic base determines everything else that occurs in the superstructure of the social, political and intellectual consciousness of a given society. Thus, the culture industries, including commercial media, would be examined in this light, in terms of the economic determinations. This would mean that the media and the messages that are disseminated throughout a society are determined by the economic base of the organization that produces them (Chandler). The political economist looks at large economic structural forces, and how the mass media is associated with this (Havens et al., 2009). Thus, for example, in a very crass way, Fox

Business-to-business financial system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business-to-business financial system - Essay Example In this regard, there are a lot of things and probability that might come into picture, and more often than not, it is due to VALUE LOSS caused by INTANGIBILITY. However, this kind of concern doesn't seem to catch the attention of even financial experts solely on the basis that majority of them fails to go back into the basics, and that is to search for the appropriate term for the word intangible. Upton III 2007 pointed-out that "there are times where it is desirable to value intangible assets for internal business purposes, whether they are related to taxation or not. For example, determining the appropriate value of an intangible asset (or set of intangible assets) may be necessary or useful for corporate planning, establishing royalty rates, inter company transfer prices or even litigation dispute and resolution (although often this is tied into taxation related reasons).Regardless of the reason, it is necessary to value intangible assets carefully and appropriately' 'The purpose of the intangible asset valuation is often to understand not only what the intangible asset is (and does) but also how it affects the bottom line. An ethical and conscientious valuation expert will keep this in mind, and will not fall prey to the desire to value an intangible asset in a biased man'" In this case, it is very important to understand that there are instances that intangible assets particularly with that of a financial one is sometimes the culprit in value loss of a certain financial or even a business enterprise. It is clear that the more the value that a financial or a business enterprise's assets are, the more the stable the business stands. In this case, it is very important to ensure the value of a certain financial asset. Looking into a much complicated picture, defining what intangible asset might create derailment on how value loss is created by intangibility of a financial product. It is an established fact that the major component of a service product is intangible. Upon analyzing this kind of premise, it is not impossible to consider finances as an intangible asset because it is subject to inflation or deflation of a country's economy. In the case of the aforementioned argument, the place where a financial service industry could set the pace of the businesses financial standing if it is doing well or not. In this kind of consideration, it is understood that monetary standing of a financial service industry is unpredictable day after the other- it is why stock market, along with its components is monitored day after day. However, one cannot fully understand the risk and devaluation of financial service providers with regards to intangibility of monetary asset if b2b is not yet defined. Of course, this kind of system is presently penetrating several or perhaps majority of the world market today. Furthermore, the website searchcio.techtarget.com (2000) defined it as "B2B (business-to-business), also known as e-biz, is the exchange of products, services, or information between businesses rather than between businesses and consumers. Although early interest centered on the growth of retailing on the Internet (sometimes called e-tailing), forecasts are that B2B revenue will far exceed business-to-consumers (B2C) revenue in the near future. According to studies published in early 2000, the money volume of B2B exceeds that of e-tailing by 10 to 1. Over the next five years, B2B is expected to have a

Hardness Removal Essay Example for Free

Hardness Removal Essay 88%. Total Hardness Percentage Removal = 100-84328*100=74. 39 % Calcium Percentage Removal = 100-59296*100=80. 06% Magnesium Percentage Removal = 100-2532*100=21. 88% ) How close did the treatment process come to reaching the practical limits of hardness reduction? Hardness removal limits were not achieved. Calcium was reduced to a concentration of 59 mg/L versus the limit of 30 mg/L. And in the case of Magnesium the concentration was reduced to 25mg/L versus the limit of 10mg/L. Calcium percent difference: 30-5930=96. 66% (Absolute value) Magnesium percent difference: 10-2510=150% (Absolute value) 4) How many metric tons of Ca(OH)2 and NaCO3 are necessary to process 59 million gallons of water per day based on the calculations of 1. a. and 1. b.? To run this water softening technique in a water plant processing 59 million gallons per day it would require 51 tons of Ca(OH)2 and 33 tons of NaCO3 2. 27*10-4kgL*223. 02*106L*(ton1000 kg)=51 tons of CaOH2 per day 1. 48*10-4kgL*223. 02*106L*(ton1000 kg)=33 tons of NaCO3 per day Discussion Hard water is an issue for industries that rely on large amounts of water to operate. Hardness generated by elements such as calcium and magnesium cat ions produce scum in pipes and with many industrial chemicals reduces their overall effectiveness. That is why it is important to have economic and reliable ways of reducing water hardness in large scales. The particular method used in this experiment was lime soda softening. It has to be noted that this particular procedure only works for water that has an initial pH level lower than 8. Based on stoichiometry and the addition rules according to Nazaroff and Alvarez-Cohen we are able to find what concentration of Ca(OH)2 and NaCO3 are needed to remove hardness from the water. Based on our results the softening of the water was a success. Initial total hardness was recorded at 328 mg/L, after softening the concentration was found to be 84 mg/L. Looking individually at the reduction of calcium and magnesium the concentration was reduced from 296 mg/L to 59 mg/L and 32 mg/L to 25 mg/L respectively. Even though a large amount of the hardness was removed from the water it was nowhere near the practical limit levels. This can be attributed to the fact that the reactions that dictate hardness removal suffer from diminishing returns. Sources of error in this lab can be attributed to the fact that the sample water was only allowed to precipitate for 15 minutes instead of the 20 that was required as stated by the procedure.

Advantage And Disadvantagess Of Disney Cruises

Advantage And Disadvantagess Of Disney Cruises Cruises traveling is become more and more popular nowadays. In this article, a very famous cruisethe Disney Cruises is introduced, including basic information, advantage and disadvantage analysis, and the future development trend. Cruise Tourism is one of the major growth areas of world tourism (Peisley, 1992; Hobson, 1993; Cruise Lines International Association, 1995). Before the development of air travel, passenger liners were commonly used for overseas traveling in the 1800 s . Along with the development of the economic, people became richer and richer. More and More people like to travel far overseas for different sightseeing. So the cruise industry came into being and became a traveling method( Robert E. Wood , 2000) For the time being, after about 200 years development, the cruise tourism has grown very fast and got well development ( LIBURD, J.J. 2001 ) . Cruise lines are developing new and innovative ways to attract customers. The cruise ships for the time being can offer better rooms than hotels, for example, the rooms in cruise ships often have luxury bathrooms separately for every person with private space. What is more, the entertainment activities are various, with singers, dances, casinos and so on. The ships are designed with high-technological systems, in order to decrease the weight and provide more space. The world famous cruises include Queen Mary 2, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner Of the Seas etc.. The Wonder and the Magic are also two famous ships all around the world which belong to the Disney Cruise company. Disney Cruise Company is an American company . The Disney Cruise has the most stunning destinations-in the most exciting regions around the world international ports of call, from the Caribbean region to Europe and beyond. The introduction of Disney Cruises Disney Cruise is operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, with a headquarter in Celebration, Florida. It is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, and the Walt Disney company is a world wild famous company which provide Disney Series products, with a sales network all over the world. The Disney Cruise line was first produced in 1995 and its first operation was on July 30, 1998. Every ship, the Wonder and the Magic, has 900 staterooms with world advanced level of design. The current routes include the Bahamas, the Carribean etc. ( M Mancini , 2004 ) . The chief executive officer of the Disney Cruises is Karl Holz. The Disney Cruises is a branch of the Walt Disney Company. Right now the Disney lines have many customers all over the world with the famous Disney brand. The ships were mainly marketed for family vacations and have customized Disney traveling projects. (PF Wilkinson ,1999) .The Magic ship was first operated on July 30, 1998. And the Wonder ship started to ship from August 15, 1999. Both of the ships have luxury restaurants and entertainment balls and parties( M Mancini , 2004 ) . In recent years, the Disney is becoming more and more popular in adults. Many adults love the Disney Cruises because they can playing like kids at the same time of traveling all lover the world. Currently, the Disney Cruise Line has two ships, the Magic ship and the Wonder ship. Right now, Disney is creating two new cruise ships. These two vessels, named the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy are under construction. When these ships put into use in the future, they will help to expand the Disney lines fleet. The Magic ship is expected to set sail in 2011, and the Wonder ship about one year later, will set sail in 2012. Whats more, Disney also owns a private island called Castaway Cay, it is in the Bahamas and is used as an exclusive port of call for Disneys ships. Disney Cruise Destinations The cruises lines have many destinations (Common-wealth of Australia, 1995). It sails to the most unique and beautiful places in the world. The destinations include the world most famous beaches, holiday villages and other sight seeing places. The Disney ships go travels to Caribbean Islands, Bahamas, the Mediterranean Region and so on. The Mediterranean Region includes Spain, Italy, England, Sicily etc., actually this region receives many tourists from all over the world. In Spain region, tourists can go to the city of Barcelona and go shopping, for this is also a shopping heaven. Speaking to other places, the Disney Cruises also travel to Barbados, Costa Maya, St. Kitts and St. Lucia. In a word, the Disney Cruises travel to the most beautiful and wonderful places in the world, that is why so many people all around the world select the Disney Cruise line and love its vacation. The advantage analysis of Disney Cruises There are many advantages of Disney Cruise so many people choose it for overseas traveling. It is Mickey ! And it is loved by so many children. Disney is vacation heaven for children; it provides v ery good traveling environment and excellent kid s programs. It has about one third of the ship only for children. And most rooms are both balconies for sightseeing ( MB Sehlinger, L Opsomer, L Testa , 2009 ). It has so many excellent programs specially customized for children. I t has many teen centers and variety of projects. As for entertainment, it has top quality musicals. Besides, it private s island Castaway Cay . What s more, Disney is a famous tourism brand, not only for cruises, but also for theme parks. T he packages can combine Disney cruises with theme parks Some of the tourists sad, Disney is more of an expensive cruise and they are worth every penny. Their private island is immaculate and awesome. The Disney cruise lines are different with others in many details. It provides fine accommodations, and most rooms are giving perfect experience with more space than other ships. The Disney line has very cute decorative things loved by most children; It has variety of playing games, not only for children but also for adults. The disadvantage analysis of Disney Cruises The ship only has about one third of the places for adults; many places are prepared for the children. S o some people think that it is not a very proper one for adults only, better with children. Disney is the only line for free fuel surcharge and this line offers free soda for 24 hours per day. But if comparing other costs, Disney seems more expensive Comparing with other cruise lines, the Disney ships, both the Magic and the Wonder, are a little bit small. The Royal Caribbean ships have the scales at over 150,000 tons, however, Disney only around 80,000 tons There is no casino on board, some passengers dont like this. Some tourists think that their unsavory food and impolite service are terrible. The European tourists dont like the food. Whats more, the waiters told tourists that they are providing food mainly for Middle Americas who like eating meat loaf at the dinner. The food much better are all need extra pay for Europeans. It has terrible service. T he work ethic and cleanliness are also dissatisfied. The staff of the Disney Cruises asks tourists for satisfaction cards, to give 1 to 5 score for their service. However, the staff bed for scores of 5 or else they will get fired. It is sad and insulting for the tourists. The tourists have to give 5 scores, with dissatisfying mood. Some tourists think it is a terrible experience; they doubt the band of Disney and can not trust it any more. Other cruise companies offer better products and service, they will choose another cruise line next time. The future development of Disney Cruises In the next two or three years, Disney Cruises will add two ships and provide more wonderful lines ( DOWLING, R.K., ed. 2006 ). The future trend of the cruise tourism is that it will add more cruises lines with variety of lifestyles. And the ships will be bigger and bigger. As for the service, it will also become better both in quality and quantity. The cruise tourism will cover more destinations with more playing programs. So there will be a very bright future for the cruise tourism. It will be a choice for more and more tourists. As for the Disney line, will the operation of two more ships, the Disney line will receive more passengers and provide wonderful holidays. We believe that in the next few years, the cruises traveling will be selected by more people and the Disney Cruise line will have more market share and more customers with its excellent vacation design, good service etc.

Health Promotion In Relation To Holistic Care

Health Promotion In Relation To Holistic Care This essay will attempt to discuss the significance of the link between health promotion and holistic care for the patient. Firstly, the patient will be introduced and a definition of holistic care and assessment will be given. Secondly, the health promotion model and nursing interventions will be described and discussed. Finally this essay will reflect on the effectiveness utilising of health promotion models care; rounded up by a conclusion of the findings. Names in this essay have been changed to protect the patients identity and maintain confidentiality in accordance with the nursing and midwifery councils guidelines (NMC, 2008). Verbal consent was obtained by the client and her family, to use their basic anonymised details. The patient, who for the purpose of this essay shall be known as Jane, is 21 years old and has an acquired brain injury (ABI) following a road traffic accident. An ABI is defined by Headway (2010), the brain injury association, as an injury caused to the brain since birth. Jane has problems remembering information and continually repeats what she says, and also repetition of speech, known as perseveration. Jane was originally admitted onto the neuro rehabilitation ward to address challenging behaviours at home and following successful interventions was due to be discharged when an appropriate care package could be put into place. Due to the complexity of Janes condition her care package was taking longer than planned. While waiting for discharge, Jane, who usually lives at home with her mother, has undertaken many home visits. It then became apparent that Jane was losing weight to the extent that she had become underweight and it became necessary for this to be addressed before Jane could be discharged. It was important that Janes weight was addressed as after a Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) assessment was carried out it was concluded that Jane was at high risk from malnutrition. MUST is a screening tool that recognizes malnutrition and those at risk of malnutrition. It encourages multidisciplinary working which improve clinical outcome (BAPEN 2003). At 5 foot 7 inches and weighing 53 kilograms Janes body mass index (BMI) was 19. She also had lost approximately 0.5 kilograms a week for the prior four weeks meaning she had lost nearly 5 percent of her body weight. Best (p.23, 2008) states that malnutrition is caused by an inadequate availability of nutrients, because of either poor intake or deficiency as a result of disease. It is widely accepted that adequate nutrition plays an important role in maintaining optimal health. Following a healthy diet has lots of benefits, not only physically but mentally too. According to the World Health Organization (1948) health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Following this a complete holistic assessment was carried out. The world health organisation (WHO, 2004), states that holism is a concept which takes into account a patients mind, body and spirit. It includes all aspects of the client and carers life, for example, account of problems from both person and carer, psychiatric and physical health history, medication and compliance, social history, past and current hobbies and interests, daily living skills, driving and faith/religion. Each of these elements is seen as inter-related and as equally important so when any of the elements are compromised there will be an inevitable effect on the others (Ellis 1999, Brooker Waugh 2007). The assessment used for the patient is a trust based holistic assessment founded on the Roper-Logan-Tierney Activities of Daily Living Model. Although published in 1980 this first model of nursing is just as relevant today. The model identifies the 12 activities of daily living as: communication; breathing; eating and drinking; eliminating; sleeping; dying; mobilisation; managing a safe environment; personal cleansing and dressing; work and play; expressing sexuality. These activities identify the basic health needs with the emphasis on assessing the effect of the mind, body and soul of each activity in relation to the persons health. They note how the activities are inter-related and not mutually exclusive (Roper et al 2000). They expanded on the inter-linked relationship between the patient, activities of daily living, factors which influence these activities (for example environmental factors), the lifespan and our level of dependence. It is because of these views that this model has been utilised as a true holistic assessment. Hinchcliff et al (2008), Brooker Waugh (2007) and Dougherty Lister (2008) substantiate that assessment is an ongoing, complex, systematic and interactive process. It involves gathering a range of information from and about the client and then using that information to decide the care, support and intervention that is required. The information is then clearly documented as in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils guidelines (NMC 2005). Subsequent to the assessment, Jane was discussed at the weekly multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting, as in accordance with the NMC code which states that nurses must work together with other professionals as a team whilst sharing and valuing each others skills and knowledge (NMC, 2008). The nurse is at the core of the clients care and can therefore communicate and negotiate the clients needs and preferences to other members of the interprofessional team (Day, 2006). Following the meeting various interventions were put in place: Blood tests were ordered to check for any underlying medical causes (test results were negative). Janes weight was to be monitored on a weekly basis, food and drink charts as well as nutritional supplement charts were to be completed by nursing staff and Janes relatives who often took her out for meals. The Royal College of Nursings campaign Nutrition Now (RCN 2007) suggests that patients are also monitored to make sure that they are eating the food they are offered. Protected mealtimes on the ward would be observed by all members of the multidisciplinary team as sometimes this was not adhered to. Nutrition Now (2007) also highlights the need for protected mealtimes so that there is a more relaxed atmosphere for patients to eat their meals and that they are assisted by nurses as well as healthcare staff to eat their meals. The dietician would review Janes nutritional intake: Speech and language would assess Jane for any s wallowing difficulties: Occupational therapy would observe Jane eating and drinking before making any recommendations: Janes weight would be monitored and reviewed at following MDT meetings. Auty Rennie (2007) suggest that professionals working in isolation with a client rather than in a team struggle to achieve the optimum outcome for the client as any treatment provided could be ineffective. Janes named nurse explained to Jane issues that had been discussed at the MDT meeting and that Janes weight would need to be stabilised before she could be discharged. Also a care plan would be put in place to address this issue. Nursing staff had already identified that Jane would be worried about becoming overweight as this was something she relayed often during conversations with them. Rosenstockss health belief model (1952) cited in Glanz (2005) works by exploring peoples perception and ways to inform, encourage and motivate change. There are six steps contained in this model: Perceived susceptibility; perceived severity; perceived benefits; perceived barriers; cues to action; self-efficacy. These steps were applied to the issue of Janes weight. Jane was worried about becoming overweight (perceived susceptibility) and she was informed of the risk to her health because of not eating enough. Janes understanding and judgement of the severity of the situation were difficult. Short-term memory problems and the inability to process information and make informed decisions are common problems associated with ABI (Headway 2009). Because of this the nurse clarified to Jane how her health would be affected and that she would not be well enough to be discharged (perceived severity). Jane appeared to understand that she needed to put on weight before she could return home, it was explained that her food intake would be monitored and that the dietician had revised her diet to include high calorie foods and supplements. Jane was happy to comply with the interventions as she knew she would be discharged but she was worried that she would not be able to eat and drink enough even if she wanted to (perceived benefits). Jane was reassured that she would be given support and guidance to ensure the best possible outcome (perceived barriers). Although cues to action are directed more towards people living in the community it was adapted to meet Janes needs, she was given information in a format she could understand and also took part in Health Eating Sessions with patients from other wards. Jane was supported and encouraged to eat snacks as well as her regular meal, food she enjoyed was made available to her at anytime. She also had regular motivational chats with her named nurse (self-efficacy). The Tannahill model (1985) cited by Downie et al (2002) was also utilised. This model defines health promotion as an approach to improving health and diminishing the risk of ill health through incorporating three processes; health education; prevention; protection. Health education: influencing peoples behaviour and attitudes; encouraging positive well being and diminishing ill health. Prevention and protection: to diminish the risk of disease developing by interventions, that is, primary: Giving people the knowledge to make better choices with regard to their health, for example, risks related to smoking; immunization. Secondary intervention: Health screening for early detection, for example, smear tests, smoking cessation. Tertiary: Managing established disease and preventing complications, for example, rehabilitation advice after stroke or serious injury. Protection: through government policies: public health and health promotion programmes can improve health, reduce disease risks , manage chronic illness, improve wellbeing, promoting self-sufficiency of individuals. In conclusion the holistic assessment and health promotion and belief models have worked well for the patient. It allowed the multidisciplinary team to put together an effective care plan. The nurses involved with Janes care gave lots of encouragement and advice to Jane and because nursing staff followed the care plan Jane began putting weight on. Although the reason why she needed to do so and the reassurance that she would not become overweight had to be explained to Jane continually because of her short term memory problems. The effectiveness of the care plan is apparent as despite NICE bringing in Providing nutritional support for adults guidelines and the introduction of specialist nutrition teams, being brought in over the last twenty years there are still patients who are somehow being missed and are under-nourished (Holder 2009). Additionally NICE guidelines (2006) state that knowledge of causes, effects and treatment of malnutrition among healthcare professional in the UK is poor. It goes on to say that all health professionals linked with patient care should be trained in knowing how to provide ample nutrition for peoples needs. This can be seen to still be a major factor in the improvement of nutrition for health. Holder (2009) asserts that nurses need to be aware of all initiatives nationally, regionally and within their own trust so they are able to provide better nutrition for their patients. 1943 words

General Information about Anthrax :: Anthrax

The disease Anthrax derives its name from the Greek word anthracis, which means â€Å"coal†. This name is in response to the â€Å"characteristic black, coal-like central regions located on the anthrax skin lesions†¦Ã¢â‚¬  that appear in the cutaneous (tissue) form of the disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)). Although the 2001 letter attacks brought it widespread attention, anthrax has been around throughout history in many different areas. For example, the fifth and/or sixth plagues of Egypt that occurred during the time of Moses (1250 B.C.) are thought to represent the â€Å"earliest historical reports of the disease, due to the systemic and cutaneous forms of the disease†(Turnbull). In addition, its appearance has been noted in areas such as Asia Minor during the siege of Troy and its description has been found in the works of many famous authors such as Homer, Hippocrates, Varro, Virgil, and Galen. This leads to the idea that â€Å"â₠¬ ¦the Greeks and Romans were well acquainted with it† (Turnbull). From then on its appearance may have occurred in France, England, Germany, Hungary and Poland. It wasn’t until the 1700’s when its appearance was reported in America in animals. And within the next 100 years or so, Anthrax was being used by biologists to help with the progression of science. Robert Koch, in 1876, established Bacillus anthracis as the first proven bacterial cause of a human disease. His work led to the â€Å"†¦development of Koch’s Postulates, a set of diagnostic criteria still used by microbiologists today† (Nester). Also, the vaccine for anthrax, developed by Louis Pasteur in 1881, was the first effective live vaccine for a bacterial disease. All of these reported accounts, as well as other scientist journals in the late 1700’s and 1800’s, show that this disease is not new to the human race. Anthrax is a highly infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that infects animals including humans. The disease is more common in large herbivores but can also infect humans who are exposed to diseased animal tissue or bacterial spores of the disease. These herbivores include cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and pigs as well as wild populations of deer, elephants, buffalo, and others. â€Å"Incidents of anthrax among animals have been reported by 82 countries†, however, these countries are limited to those with weak public veterinary health programs (Friedlander). Therefore, humans who live in these countries are of high-risk of acquiring the disease through different means of transmission.

Vonneguts Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cats Cradle Essay -- Cats Cra

Vonnegut's Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cat's Cradle If humans strive to fulfill their void, of a lack of meaning in their lives, their folly will blind them from the truth. Kurt Vonnegut portrays his inner emotions and feelings of the insignificance of religion through the characters of his novel, Cat's Cradle. His satiric approach to a subject that many people base their daily existence upon, challenges the readers faith. As people search for a deeper meaning in their lives, the more confused they become. Only to become entwined in the Cat 's Cradle of life. In the beginning, the reader is warned: "Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either" (5-6). The theme throughout the entire novel is set as, religion is based on lies to give people something to believe, and find meaning in. Vonnegut created a religion in his novel, Bokonism, founded by a man named Bokonon. Through lies, and short poems, Bokonon spreads his religion to the people of San Lorenzo, a small desolate island with no future. "All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies."(5) Vonnegut, through the ideals of Bokononism, gives the reader insight into the notion that all religions are based on lies, and un-truths. When Bokonon, christened Lionel Boyd Johnson, arrived at the Island of San Lorenzo, he saw the place as a disaster, which would yield no economic wealth or prosperity. Theonly way that he saw possible for of this place to become a utopia was to invent lies in which the people could base their existence. These lies would convince the people ... ... of human existence is "protein" (24). This fact of science intensifies the conclusion that human existence is futile without meaning, such a meaning that religion provides. However, that is just the statement that Vonnegut expects the people of the world to make. The void that humans feel a need to fill, with thoughts such as religion, will never be filled; the search for meaning is never-ending. Just like an endless, pointless game of Cat's Cradle. Bokonon, in his infinite wisdom knew not to take his own advice and the validity of it was null. There is no truth, there is no meaning, "No damn cat, and no damn cradle" (66). Bibliography Vonnegut, Kurt: Cat's Cradle Delta Books 1998. (287 pages) Price, Liana: Understanding Religion Through Cat's Cradle (http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/kv_religion.html) Vonnegut's Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cat's Cradle Essay -- Cat's Cra Vonnegut's Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cat's Cradle If humans strive to fulfill their void, of a lack of meaning in their lives, their folly will blind them from the truth. Kurt Vonnegut portrays his inner emotions and feelings of the insignificance of religion through the characters of his novel, Cat's Cradle. His satiric approach to a subject that many people base their daily existence upon, challenges the readers faith. As people search for a deeper meaning in their lives, the more confused they become. Only to become entwined in the Cat 's Cradle of life. In the beginning, the reader is warned: "Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either" (5-6). The theme throughout the entire novel is set as, religion is based on lies to give people something to believe, and find meaning in. Vonnegut created a religion in his novel, Bokonism, founded by a man named Bokonon. Through lies, and short poems, Bokonon spreads his religion to the people of San Lorenzo, a small desolate island with no future. "All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies."(5) Vonnegut, through the ideals of Bokononism, gives the reader insight into the notion that all religions are based on lies, and un-truths. When Bokonon, christened Lionel Boyd Johnson, arrived at the Island of San Lorenzo, he saw the place as a disaster, which would yield no economic wealth or prosperity. Theonly way that he saw possible for of this place to become a utopia was to invent lies in which the people could base their existence. These lies would convince the people ... ... of human existence is "protein" (24). This fact of science intensifies the conclusion that human existence is futile without meaning, such a meaning that religion provides. However, that is just the statement that Vonnegut expects the people of the world to make. The void that humans feel a need to fill, with thoughts such as religion, will never be filled; the search for meaning is never-ending. Just like an endless, pointless game of Cat's Cradle. Bokonon, in his infinite wisdom knew not to take his own advice and the validity of it was null. There is no truth, there is no meaning, "No damn cat, and no damn cradle" (66). Bibliography Vonnegut, Kurt: Cat's Cradle Delta Books 1998. (287 pages) Price, Liana: Understanding Religion Through Cat's Cradle (http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/kv_religion.html)

Gilgamesh, Persepolis and Hamlet: Exam Paper Essay

The following are the pool from which the three (3) questions on your Midterm Exam will be culled. As explained in the syllabus you are required to keep exam journals for the Gilgamesh, Persepolis and Hamlet readings, based on the separate questions listed on Blackboard for each text. You may use your Exam Journals together with your completed Freud Vocabulary when you take the Midterm Exam 1. Both Ophelia and Marjane experience bouts of deep depression. In what ways are the conditions that contribute to their respective depressions similar and how do they differ? What, other than the difference in their temperaments, might account for each responded to her sorrows? What events led to each young woman’s depression? What were the elements that helped Marjane recover that weren’t available to Ophelia? 2. Compare and contrast the friendship between Hamlet and Horatio to that of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. How did they meet and become friends?  What roles do Enkidu & Horatio play in helping Gil & Ham achieve their goals? How do Enk & Hor help their friends perceive the supernatural? Who mourns and eulogizes whom in Gil & in Hamlet? What might indicate that each relationship could have been homoerotic? 3. In what way might Freud’s concept of psychological resistance explain Gilgamesh’s response to Enkidu’s death? Hamlet’s response to the death of his father, King Hamlet? Use the technical Freudian terms for the psychological resistances and why you think they apply to each 4. Which Freudian concepts might help explain the underlying psychological reasons why the reigning mullahs instituted such harsh restrictions on the status and behavior of women in Iran? Use the technical Freudian terms for the psychological resistances and why you think they apply 5. Both Marjane and Hamlet sense that â€Å"there is something rotten† with the governance and policies of their native countries. What are the similarities and differences between how they respond to those wrongs? What did Hamlet  feel was rotten in Denmark? Marjane in Iran first under the Shah then under the Ayatollahs? How did each try to avoid dealing with those conditions? How did each try to accommodate their behaviors to those conditions? What actions did each take to try and correct the wrongs they perceived? 6. Describe the advantages and challenges that Gilgamesh, Marjane and Hamlet each experienced as a result of living the dynamics of a â€Å"Dual Identity?† What ways might their experiences been similar and how did they differ What conditions drove each to assume a dual identity? What were the natures of their respective dual identities? What did their respective dual identities allow them to do and what toll did it place on them? 7. Freud observed that ancient mythology ascribes to oracles and the gods effects that he claims are manifestations of the unconscious (eg. Parapraxes and Dreams). Citing examples based on your reading of Hamlet and Gilgamesh do you agree or disagree with his claim? Might specific instances of dreams and parapraxes represent manifestations of Gil’s unconscious? Might the Ghost and his reaction to Yorik’s skull represent manifestations of Hamlet’s unconscious? 8. In Gilgamesh sex plays a civilizing function. Freud claims that our sexual urges constantly threaten civilization. What are the pros and cons of each position and can they be reconciled? After Shamhat has sex with Enkidu the animals reject him. In what ways does heterosexual coupling lead to greater civilization? In what ways does Freud indicate that our aggressive, sexual urges (Id) can subvert civilization? Are these 2 views mutually exclusive or can they be reconciled? 9. Freud claims that the OedipalElectra dynamic plays a significant role in human development. How might understanding this dynamic help us interpret Hamlet’s actions? Ophelia’s actions? How might Hamlet’s unresolved issues with Gertrude, King Hamlet and Claudius explain his actions? How might Ophelia’s lack of a mother figure and relation to Polonius explain hers? 10. Based on the typology of Joseph Campbell, Lynne Milurn describes a typology of the Hero’s Journey. A. Apply her stages to the journey of: i. Gilgamesh & Enkidu’s from the poem’s beginning thru their journey to the Cedar Forest ii. Gilgamesh’s search for immortality iii. Hamlet B. In what ways do the aspects of Marjane’s journeys correspond and how do they deviate from Milum’s typology? Indicate those elements and characters of the Hero’s Journey present in Persepolis In what ways might they not follow the progression of stages that Milum details C. Can these same stages might be applied to the psycho-analytic (From the time one realizes the need to go to a therapist til one is cured) and or psycho-sexual developmental journey (from birth to adulthood) as described by Freud?