Creating a Domain Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Creating a Domain Model - Essay Example This analogy decodes the computer hostnames as understood through human language; converting them into IP addresses. For example, with the case of the URL, www.suchas.com, it may be converted into 192.0.32.18. The Domain name system is also understood to be a distributed database which maps the IP addresses to the Host names. Utilizing the DNS it is probable to allot domain names to groups of Internet users in a significant way, independent of the actual physical location of each user. Since this is attainable, the hyperlinks of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the contact information provided by the internet will remain unbroken and dependable even though the prevailing Internet routing measures are changed or altered or a mobile device is used by the participant. It is easier to remember the Internet domain names as opposed to IP addresses; for example, in the case of IPv6, 2001:db8::1f70:6e8 or IPv4, 209.75.188.166. People capitalize on this advantage whenever they talk about expressive e-mail addresses and URLs without requiring to comprehend how the computer will essentially locate them. The Domain Name System allots the responsibility of allocating domain names and mapping the domain names to IP addresses through the designation of authoritative name servers for every domain. These authoritative name servers are supposed to be in control of their specific domains, acting in turn to allot other authoritative name servers to their sub-domains. This approach has made the domain name system fault tolerant and distributed and has aided in avoiding the demand for one central register to be continually used. With the presented case, Company Alpha has a prevailing DNS namespace. Diverse locations or establishments may be named with distinct subdomains such as firstname.corp. institu.com or secondname.corp.institu.com to simplify administration. I would consider an immediate action of making the Active directory child

Assessment of Organizational Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assessment of Organizational Culture - Essay Example mpanies that strive to be progressive and innovative especially, purposely implement such changes and create such environments that help them to gain strategic advantages in the marketplace. Some of these companies have set benchmarks for themselves for the best practices in organizational behaviour appropriate to creating the right and required organizational cultural characteristics. â€Å"The necessity of innovation is now universally accepted, but beyond their enthusiasm for bright ideas, most leaders know that to be successful over the long term they have to develop a strong innovation culture.† (Morris, Langdon. 2007) Here, we list five companies that have benchmarked the best practices on organizational cultural characteristics that support innovation and change. The first three are acknowledged as being amongst the most innovative companies in the world. The top companies are dominated of course by the American and Japanese. To these we add two more innovative companies from other countries. Apple â€Å"has grown dramatically over a short time, has a forward looking, optimistic culture, seeing itself as a David growing in strength at the expense of a Goliath.† (Ernst & Young) Last year alone saw the release of five major products: Mac OS X 10.5 aka Leopard, iPod Touch, and iPhone 2, iLife ’08 and iWorks ’08, plus witnessed record growth levels. Apple has a history of success in exploiting niche market opportunities. GE has made great strides in innovation recently with the invention of the HD CT scanner that reduces radiation exposure by half, a hybrid locomotive that reduces emissions by a half, and a splendid reengineering of the CF34 jet engine. (Mark Borden, 2008) Perhaps more regarded as innovative in the West than in Japan itself; nonetheless, it helped develop the just-in-time (JIT) approach some time back that enabled it to make breakthroughs in the simplification of manufacturing processes. And, it is still renowned throughout the world for

Assisted suicide Essay Example for Free

Assisted suicide Essay Should assisted suicide or euthanasia be legal in situations where an individual is experiencing intense suffering?   This question brings to light moral and ethical issues which have been the cause of heated debate for several years.   In an attempt to find an answer, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and mercy killings must first be defined. Assisted suicide is when someone provides an individual who is physically able, with the means necessary to end his or her own life.   Euthanasia is when someone provides the means necessary and then performs the act that takes the life of another individual.    This act may take place either with or without the consent of the individual who is suffering.   Euthanasia is performed when death is considered to be in the best interest of the individual in question.   (Mathes, 2004)   Euthanasia is often performed by administering extremely high doses of narcotics, sedatives or antidepressants. The patient develops respiratory depression which results in death. (Panzer, 2000) Doctor Jack Kevorkian emerged in the public eye in 1990 due to his involvement in the assisted suicides of at least 130 people.   Although many people credit him for launching the right-to-die movement, he did not.   He acted entirely on his own initiative until he was charged and convicted of second degree murder in the death of Thomas Youk.   Kevorkian didn’t launch the movement, but his actions did bring the right to die issue into the lime light.   (Humphry, 2007) There are pros and cons of assisted suicide.   Both sides of the issue are supported for specific reasons.   All of the reasons are completely understandable.   Unfortunately, whether or not you support assisted suicide is a matter of each individual’s moral and ethical guidelines.   The only factor that is definite is the fact that it’s illegal. The Pros of Assisted Suicide  · Patients are relieved of extreme suffering – Many illnesses including cancer cause a slow death accompanied by excruciating pain.   Doctors know when a patient is going to die as the result of an illness.   Some believe that allowing a patient to experience such unbearable pain when they are going to die anyway is inhumane and unacceptable.  · Every person has the right to choose whether they live or die – The constitution doesn’t state that a person doesn’t have the right to choose death. Therefore, everyone has the right to choose for themselves.  · Patients have the right to die with their dignity intact – Many terminal illnesses cause people to slowly deteriorate until they lose control of their bodily functions.   In situations such as this, patients are stripped of their dignity.   They don’t want their families to remember them this way.   Patients should have the right to choose death with dignity.  · The cost of health care can be greatly reduced – Health care costs for the terminally ill can add up quickly and dip into any money or assets that the patient wanted to leave to family members in their will. If a person would rather die than then should be able to exercise that right.  · Medical staff can devote more time to saving lives Understaffed hospitals are common in the United States.   Situations such as this can affect the quality of care and can even cause overtired hospital staff to make errors that could be potentially harmful to patients.   Caring for dying patients takes a lot of time.   If a patient would rather die and are allowed to do so, then hospital staff could devote more time to the care of patients who will recover.  · Disallowing suicide infringes on the patients religious freedoms – Religious beliefs include life in the hereafter. Laws disallowing suicide allow the government to force their religious and moral beliefs on everyone else.  · Assisted suicide can make it easier on family – Families often experience as much pain as their dying family member.   They are often overcome by grief and stress by watching a loved one suffer, knowing they are going to die anyway.   Oftentimes patients would prefer to die rather than to watch their family members hurt so much.   Allowing the patient to choose death can ease the pain and suffering of the family and the patient.  · Healthy organs can be harvested to save the life of someone else – Hundreds of people are on organ waiting lists waiting for healthy organs needed to save their lives.   When a patient is slowly dying, their organs begin to shut down and cease to function making them unusable as a donor organs.   If a patient is allowed to die, their organs can be used to save lives.  · Patients who want to die may attempt suicide on their own – If patients choose to end their lives on their own, they will use whatever means necessary. Sometimes they choose a bullet or a noose and this can be devastating to the family.   Assisted suicide is a more humane way for patients to die. (Messerli, 2007) The Cons of Assisted Suicide  · Violation of the Hippocratic Oath – When doctors take part in assisted suicides they are violated the Hippocratic Oath which includes, â€Å"First, do no harm.†Ã‚   Furthermore, it would undermine the trust between doctor and patient.  · Assisted suicide devalues human life – In the United States when death occurs, we mourn and part of the process includes celebrating the life of the person who died with memorial services, wakes and other ceremonies.   When there are tragedies that result in loss of life, we donate money to the families who suffered loss.   Americans place value on a human life and taking a life through assisted suicide because it’s the easy way out, eliminates that value.  · Legalizing assisted suicide could lead to abuses – If the United States legalizes assisted suicide for dying patients there will some who will use it as a catalyst to legalize all suicide due to emotional or psychological issues or simply because a person no longer desires to live.   This would be a travesty.  · â€Å"Thou shall not kill.† – Just about every religion has laws against killing.   Allowing assisted suicide would demean the religious and moral values of our society.  · Patients would give up too easily – If a patient is given a terminal diagnosis and assisted suicide is legal, they may choose to give up on life too soon.   There have been miraculous recoveries and incorrect diagnosis.   Patients, who choose death too soon, may forfeit their second chance at life.  · Insurance companies would put on the pressure – If assisted suicide was an option, doctors would be pressured by insurance companies to act.   Insurance companies would save a lot of money by not having to pay for the health care of dying patients  · Too much power for doctors – Legalizing assisted suicide would put too much power in the doctor’s hands which could cause them to act in an unethical or immoral manner. (Messerli, 2007) Although the American Medical Association is against physician assisted suicide, there are still doctors who support and participate in this practice.   In one physician survey done by physicians in Oregon it was found that 53% of the physicians asked, approved of assisted suicide and 24% supported euthanasia. When a patient was experiencing extreme physical weakness, 37% of the physicians asked, supported assisted suicide and 24% supported euthanasia.   In situations where patients believed that they were causing undue distress to their loved ones, 24% of physicians supported assisted suicide and 7% supported euthanasia. When patients had lost all hope in living, physicians supported assisted suicide by 22% and 7% supported euthanasia. In another survey taken by a group of one-hundred and fifty-five oncologists, it was found that 15.8% admitted to participating in either assisted suicide or euthanasia.   In 60.5% of the cases, patients requested euthanasia or assisted suicide.   There were 15.8% of patients who didn’t make the decision that their life be ended, but the decision was made for them. Research seems to consistently reveal that a small number of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers have admitted to participating in ending the lives of patients.   (Panzer, 2000) Incidentally, the American Nurses Association also opposes assisted suicide and euthanasia.   The ANA defines the standards expected and the ethics by which nurses are bound.   The ANA also developed the â€Å"The Code for Nurses† and published it in 1976.   â€Å"The Code† serves as a guide for practicing nurses, as well as a guide for evaluating nurses.   The ANA further expresses that the nursing profession follows in the tradition of the Hippocratic Oath, â€Å"do no harm.†Ã‚   There is often a thin line between the â€Å"preservation of life† and a â€Å"dignified death,† but the Code emphatically observes its opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia.   However, the ANA views the withdrawal of treatments meant to sustain life such as a ventilator, chemotherapy or a feeding tube, as within the rights of the patient.   (Mathes, 2004) Surprisingly, very few patients actually follow through with assisted suicides.   Many feel that since so few people are seriously interested in assisted suicide that the need for legislation isn’t justified.   Only one in ten patients request the lethal medications and only half ingest it.   Knowing that assisted suicide is an option is a comfort for dying patients.   Even if they never do it, they know there’s a way out if their pain and suffering becomes unbearable. However, many hospice caregivers contend that the pain isn’t so much a concern for the patients as is their quality of life.   (Jeffrey, 2006) Family members, who have experienced assisted suicide first-hand, have mixed reactions.   While some describe the death of their loved one as peaceful or beautiful, some are devastated because their loved one chose death.   Family members give similar descriptions of the natural deaths of loved ones.   (Jeffrey, 2006) The question of whether or not assisted suicide or euthanasia should be legalized or not is a very personal issue.   The answer will depend on such factors as religious beliefs and moral values.   It’s not an issue that the government should even address.   If the government takes a stand and either opposes or supports assisted suicide and euthanasia, they are then imposing their beliefs on the people.   If the government imposes their beliefs on everyone then our country is no longer a democracy.   On the other hand, the United States was founded and built on Christian principles.   Perhaps the government should decide their position on the issue based on the teachings of Christianity.   The debate will likely continue for many years because there isn’t a cut and dry answer.   There is no right or wrong answer.   Everyone needs to decide based on their own personal convictions.

Impact of Globalisation on Australia

Impact of Globalisation on Australia Table of Contents 1. Title page 2. Table of Contents 3. Introduction 3.1 Map of Australia 4. Social Impacts of Globalisation 4.1 Positives 4.2 Negatives 4.3 The Verdict 5. Political Impacts of Globalisation 5.1 Positives 5.2 Negatives 5.3 The Verdict 6. Economic Impacts of Globalisation 6.1 Positives 6.2Negatives 6.3 The Verdict 7. Environmental impacts of Globalisation 7.1 Positives 7.2 Negatives 7.3 The Verdict 8. Conclusion 9. Bibliography Introduction Globalisation is what runs the modern world now especially with the ever-increasing knowledge and advance in technology connecting the world person to person. With modern technology, two people on different sides of the world can talk to each other with instant messaging. In this way the world grows smaller, quicker and easier to live in. It’s not just technology that influenced globalisation, the current ability to have cheap, quick and easy global trade that has given everyone on Earth something not native to their country. As Australia is a fairly new developed country, it is moving away from being a colonised country, globalisation has helped Australia become a wealthier country. Is Globalisation a good thing for Australia? How has Australia been affected and where? This report answers that question. Figure 1: Social Impacts on Australia Australian society has expanded to the entire world with modern technology and networking. Australians can now communicate to people around the world in an instant using instant messaging and phone calls as well as the increasing number of international Australian citizens. However, what effect does this have on Australia? Positives Australia is a fairly new country and often receives information and trade products latest out of most other countries. However, the invention of internet and network has enabled Australians to receive information and retail quicker as well as speak with people worldwide. Australia is close to 3rd world countries and is a fairly cheap source of refuge and international education, this also makes Australia a place for refugees and international families hoping for a good education for their children. Australia is moving closer to the rest of the modern world. Negatives With Australia slowly becoming more culturally and ethnically diverse, unwanted attention is being brought to Australia. The recent G20 meeting has started protests across the wealthier and poorer countries to stop G20 as it may separate the world and throw the economy off balance as well as raising awareness for world crisis and demanding for public needs. The public has also divided to challenge the governments to allow or ban refugees from entering Australia. When Australia allows refugees to enter Australia, people protests as the refugees may bring diseases, spies and war. When Australia sends refugees back then Australians protest to allow refugees in the country. The Verdict Australia has been mainly positively affected by globalisation in society, particularly in the tourist industry. Australia is one of the most unique countries for its strange geographic structure and wildlife. When tourist and refugees that have gained citizenship have seen the country that is Australia, The tourist and refugees will arrange for their friends and family to travel. Political Impacts on Australia Australian government has strong connections with other nations with official visits and assisting with international and worldwide affairs. Recent Australian government has made Australia a very involved country with the world, involving Australia in many world affairs such as wars, political meetings and attending to crises. Positives Involving Australia internationally was the right choice to make a good image other countries. Assisting in wars, attending casual and business meetings as well as just being there for a handshake has given off the image that Australia is a friendly country and a great continent†¦ Negatives Sometimes the Australian government forgets that there is such a thing as too involved. People have died in assisting international wars, several citizens live in fear of war being brought to Australia through involvement and asylum. G20 has scared off some of the poorer countries and some are taking advantage of the meeting and protesting for the world leaders to serve their needs. The Verdict Currently Australia has good favours with wealthier countries but connections with the poorer countries is rusty or unknown due to involvement. However, the country has benefitted from the government’s decisions, connections made and favours from Britain. Australia is also slowly getting wealthier, only a decade ago, people mainly drove cheap but practical Japanese cars but now expensive and better looking European cars are driving around the streets. Economic Impacts on Australia Australia has been isolated from other continents for billions of years and this has allowed Australia to hid it’s valuables until modern technology found them. Australia is rich in iron and coal and as the country itself doesn’t need it, all the raw materials are sold overseas. However, how much is used here and how much is bought from overseas? Positives Australia’s economy is focused on the mining industry and its exports. Australia exports mainly to countries with low iron, coal and gold deposits such as major Asian countries with fast development and requirement for steel. Modern technology has allowed for a year of mining to travel to overseas countries in less than two weeks by boat and about a week by plane factoring in the travel time from mine to port. Being a top exporter for mining products, this makes Australia a favourite for metal exports, most exports going to China, Japan, Korea and the United States. Apart from mining and gas exports Australian farming, medicinal chemicals and animal food products are bought by other countries and combined with all the other top exported products, Australia makes approximately $249 billion from raw materials. Negatives As Australia is a developed country, everyone is trying to stay up to date with the rest of the world and imports computers, machines, parts and cars which are all new, always updating and very expensive. Cars also need fuel to run on so large imports of crude and refined petroleum are bought in plenty as well as medicine for Australia’s sick and injured. Overall, adding all the top imports together, Australia spends about $240 billion on imports, only about $9 billion of profit. The Verdict Australia spends large amounts of money on imports and leaving a little left for saving. Being a young country means Australia doesn’t have a good economic foundation to build on or much variety to offer. To keep up with the world, much has to be imported mostly computers and many different types of machines, all new and expensive. With $249 billion made from exports and $240 billion spent on imports, quite a lot of the products imported are used and not re-sold. Possibly the only time Australia made the most money was during the gold rush and the start of the microchip age. Environmental Impacts on Australia Australia was an originally isolated country where people lived with and not off of the country until European settlement started and the coasts were over taken with modern technology. Was European settlement really beneficial for Australia? Was the old way of living for the indigenous the better way? Which way is better now? Positives In one way, being a young country is good, the Australia is possibly the least polluted and destroyed major European country. Australia is often choosing the most sustainable options for the country as the wildlife and vegetation native is not found anywhere else and currently, introduction of wildlife and vegetation is taking over much of the original land. Negatives Australia is mostly dusty red desert with dry deep-rooted plants, it is also where most of the most plentiful raw mining materials are. Australia is a country that can relate to District 12 of Panem, a country of miners. The desert of Australia is slowly becoming more unstable with the replacement of short-rooted plants, the dust storms of 2009 were caused by the combination of uprooted plants, bushfires, salinity and holes in the country for mining. People experience low visibility, possible blindness, dusty clothes, machines and houses. The dust was dumped all over Eastern Australia and the surrounding seas and coasts. The Verdict Too much has happened to the country that has not helped, the gold rush, introduction of wildlife and vegetation and general European influence from settlement. The way the indigenous Australians lived was a more peaceful and safe than the modern way of life where the more people rip up the land, the better for the people. Soon there would be nothing left for humans to live on and technology won’t be able to feed us. Conclusion Australia has mostly benefited from globalisation in terms of Social and political, however, the economic and environmental aspects are still in between good and bad†¦ Bibliography Cite This For Me, (2014). Cite This For Me: Automatic bibliography generator. [online] Available at: https://www.citethisforme.com/ [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. Citewrite.qut.edu.au, (2014). QUT cite|write Writing a report. [online] Available at: http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/report.jsp [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. DCosta, A. (2014). Will growth mean more jobs? Not necessarily. [online] ABC News. Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-14/dcosta-g20-should-focus-on-jobs-not-growth/5891308 [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]. Fisher, M. (2013). A revealing map of the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s most and least ethnically diverse countries. [online] Washington Post. Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/16/a-revealing-map-of-the-worlds-most-and-least-ethnically-diverse-countries/ [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]. Globalization101, (2014). What Is Globalization?. [online] Available at: http://www.globalization101.org/what-is-globalization/ [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. Green, J., Muller, S., Johnson, D., Danko, M., Barret, T. and Meyer, R. (2014). Globalization II Good or Bad?: Crash Course World History #42. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_iwrt7D5OA [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]. Green, J., Muller, S., Johnson, D., Danko, M., Meyer, R. and Barret, T. (2014). Globalization I The Upside: Crash Course World History #41. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnR-e0S6Ic [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014]. IMPACTS, G. (2014). GLOBALIZATION AND ITS SOCIAL-CULTURAL-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS. [online] Academia.edu. Available at: http://www.academia.edu/4668865/GLOBALIZATION_AND_ITS_SOCIAL-CULTURAL-POLITICAL_AND_ECONOMIC_IMPACTS [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. Investopedia, (2014). How Globalization Affects Developed Countries. [online] Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/10/globalization-developed-countries.asp [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. Moodle.sjac.qld.edu.au, (2014). [emailprotected]: Login to the site. [online] Available at: https://moodle.sjac.qld.edu.au/moodle/course/view.php?id=718 [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. Moodle.sjac.qld.edu.au, (2014). [emailprotected]: Login to the site. [online] Available at: https://moodle.sjac.qld.edu.au/moodle/mod/forum/view.php?id=24840 [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. Morin, R. (2013). The most (and least) culturally diverse countries in the world. [online] Pew Research Center. Available at: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/07/18/the-most-and-least-culturally-diverse-countries-in-the-world/ [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014]. Um.dk, (2014). What is a Trade Barrier. [online] Available at: http://um.dk/en/tradecouncil/barriers/what-is/ [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].

The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering :: essays research papers

The formal definition of genetic engineering given in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is â€Å"the directed alteration of genetic material by intervention in genetic processes†. Stated in another way, it is a scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism. There are many different methods in genetic engineering, but the goal of all the methods is to manipulate the genetic material (DNA) of the cells in a living organism in order to either change it hereditary traits or to produce biological products. Genetic engineering techniques have been experimented with in many different areas including in bacteria, naturally produced drugs, plants, livestock, and laboratory animals. Much of the processes dealing with genetic engineering are still in the experimental stages. As a result of this, it is required that most genetically engineered products get approval from specific U.S. governmental agencies such as the FDA.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Genetic engineering has only become possible and more understandable very recently. Since scientists have been able to map out most of the gene locations in DNA, they have discovered ways to manipulate the genes. It is a very serious and controversial matter because it raises many ethical, legal, and moral issues, especially in dealing with genetic engineering in human beings. There are generally three methods used in the manipulation of human genes and they are cloning, somatic cell manipulation, and human germline manipulation. Very basically, cloning is creating exact copies of an organisms DNA and creating a new organism with this same DNA. The new organisms will be physically identical to the original organism. Somatic cell manipulation is simply injecting new genes into somatic cells in order to cure a disease such as hemophilia. Germline manipulation is altering the genes in sex cells that are passed onto offspring, so that the offspring will posses certain specific characteristics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From the descriptions of these few processes, it can be seen why genetic engineering has become such a controversial issue. Genetic engineering deals with the very intricate, orderly, processes of human life. Genetics is so complex that it is extremely risky to be getting too far into the engineering without knowing the exact results of the actions. Unfortunately, experimentation is the only way to discover some of the outcomes. Some scientists argue that the medical benefits of genetic engineering could be so great, that the experimentation is worth it. There is the possibility that cures to life-threatening diseases could be found through genetic engineering in somatic cell manipulation, for example.

The Bright Future of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Exploratory Essays R

The Bright Future of Genetic Engineering Imagine the major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, soybeans - which can resist diseases - and resist pests - and create their own fertilizers - and resist extremes of weather. Imagine potatoes containing more protein, and other vegetables and fruits which contain more nutrients, taste better and resist rot. Can you imagine tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Imagine what such food crops could mean for a world population which will double in less than 40 years. Imagine a fundamental revolution in health care - with treatments and perhaps even cures for heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer and AIDS. Richard J. Mahoney, 1993 (Wekesser 30) Genetic engineering is a topic which has come under great scrutiny and debate. Since its appearance on the scientific stage in 1973 (Wekesser 23), it has been heralded as everything from the discovery of a fountain of youth to the harbinger of the death of humanity. In reality, genetic engineering is none of theses things. In simple terms, it is merely the utilization of one or more techniques for the purpose of modifying the DNA of an organism (Britannica V, 178). By modifying DNA, scientists today can eliminate some genetic diseases, they can manipulate plants and animals for increased food production and they can help protect against certain environmental hazards. Though genetic engineering is still in its infancy, its potential to benefit mankind is unprecedented. As such, it is a field that must be explored to its fullest. There are many facets to genetic engineering. The most common of these is recombinant DNA. This is a process through which the DNA of one organism is taken and combined with the DNA of another organism. The... ... Heredity: The Physical Basis of Heredity.?The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Macropedia. 15th ed., 1989. â€Å"Genetic Engineering.?The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Micropedia. 15th ed., 1989. McCuen, Gary E. Manipulating Life: Debating the Genetic Revolution. Hudson, Wisconsin: Gary E. McCuen Publications Inc., 1985. O’Neill, Terry, ed. Biomedical Ethics: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994. Rosenthal, Nadia. â€Å"Molecular Medicine: Tools of the Trade - Recombinant DNA.?The New England Journal of Medicine 04 August 1994: 315+. Ubell, Earl. â€Å"Should You Consider Gene TestingParade 12 January 1997: 8+. Voelker, Rebecca. â€Å"A Clone by Any Other Name Is Still an Ethical Concern.?Journal of the American Medical Association 02 February 1994: 331+. Wekesser, Carol, ed. Genetic Engineering: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994. The Bright Future of Genetic Engineering Essay -- Exploratory Essays R The Bright Future of Genetic Engineering Imagine the major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, soybeans - which can resist diseases - and resist pests - and create their own fertilizers - and resist extremes of weather. Imagine potatoes containing more protein, and other vegetables and fruits which contain more nutrients, taste better and resist rot. Can you imagine tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Imagine what such food crops could mean for a world population which will double in less than 40 years. Imagine a fundamental revolution in health care - with treatments and perhaps even cures for heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer and AIDS. Richard J. Mahoney, 1993 (Wekesser 30) Genetic engineering is a topic which has come under great scrutiny and debate. Since its appearance on the scientific stage in 1973 (Wekesser 23), it has been heralded as everything from the discovery of a fountain of youth to the harbinger of the death of humanity. In reality, genetic engineering is none of theses things. In simple terms, it is merely the utilization of one or more techniques for the purpose of modifying the DNA of an organism (Britannica V, 178). By modifying DNA, scientists today can eliminate some genetic diseases, they can manipulate plants and animals for increased food production and they can help protect against certain environmental hazards. Though genetic engineering is still in its infancy, its potential to benefit mankind is unprecedented. As such, it is a field that must be explored to its fullest. There are many facets to genetic engineering. The most common of these is recombinant DNA. This is a process through which the DNA of one organism is taken and combined with the DNA of another organism. The... ... Heredity: The Physical Basis of Heredity.?The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Macropedia. 15th ed., 1989. â€Å"Genetic Engineering.?The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Micropedia. 15th ed., 1989. McCuen, Gary E. Manipulating Life: Debating the Genetic Revolution. Hudson, Wisconsin: Gary E. McCuen Publications Inc., 1985. O’Neill, Terry, ed. Biomedical Ethics: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994. Rosenthal, Nadia. â€Å"Molecular Medicine: Tools of the Trade - Recombinant DNA.?The New England Journal of Medicine 04 August 1994: 315+. Ubell, Earl. â€Å"Should You Consider Gene TestingParade 12 January 1997: 8+. Voelker, Rebecca. â€Å"A Clone by Any Other Name Is Still an Ethical Concern.?Journal of the American Medical Association 02 February 1994: 331+. Wekesser, Carol, ed. Genetic Engineering: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1994.

American Agricultural Industry

By looking at the historical highs and lows and the American agricultural sector, these constitute a success story. The early 1900’s saw the golden age of agriculture with many thriving farmlands across the United States. With many farms, competition heightened and together with other economic factors resulted to the decline in the agricultural sector in the late 1920s up to the early 1930s resulting to the bankruptcy of many small farms. Abandoned lands became residential and commercial areas while the farms that remained became large farmlands that grew because of technological advancements.This transformed the composition of the agricultural sector from many small to medium farmlands to niches of large farmlands driven by large capital investments and technological development. Government policies conducive to the growth of the agricultural sector also contributed to the further development of the agricultural sector. Although many small farms closed, the long-term impact o f changes in the agricultural sector is the decline in farm poverty because of higher productivity and lower prices from the abatement of competition to a certain extent.Although, contemporary agricultural sector has not regained the position it reached during its golden age, growth is sustainable. (Gardner 1-3) The present agricultural sector survived because of four factors. First is capital investments, in which the banking and financial sector played an important part. Second is sustained productivity due to the development of technological tools and processes. Third is government support for researches in the agricultural sector to support sound policymaking.Fourth are the price-support programs of the government for stability that benefits farm owners by enabling them to gain sufficient profits to sustain continued production as well as consumers through lower prices so that food constitutes less than ten percent of the budget of consumption of American households. (Gardner 33 7) Methods of Production and Distribution Production and distribution in the American agricultural varies between the large and small farms.In the case of the large farms, the method of production targets the mass market and takes advantage of economies of scale and the mode of distribution is through mass- marketing outlets such as large supermarkets and other retail venues widely accessible to consumers. There are large farms that have been able to produce more than one agricultural product and these distribute products within economies of scope by bundling complementary goods. Large farms achieve economies of scale by using high-technology tools and processes and taking advantage of the abundance of workers in the labor market.Production in large farms use tractors to till land, small planes to spread pesticides over vast tracts of land, regulated water sprinklers, and other implements or even biotechnology by using pest or weather resistant varieties of seeds, vaccines for lives tock, and weight control systems. Although these involve costs, it is only on a one-time basis with cost-savings accruing in the long-term, and technology supports mass production. Large farms also depend on contractual workers for the necessary manual work and the abundance of unskilled labor especially coming from Mexico has allowed farms to cut back on cost.Due to cost-efficiency, large farms are able to cut-down on production costs and ensure high yields resulting to the ability to offer competitive market prices. As such, large farms are able to gain large supermarkets as distribution channels by offering a bigger mark-up price and gains for the retailers. (Paul and Nehring 526-528) In the case of the small, farms, production depends on its cost structure, revenue generation, and market so that methods of production implements basic technological tools and processes together with manual labor.The low scale of production of small farms led to niche marketing targeting only a lim ited market to ensure sales. Distribution channels are through on-site retail outlets, groceries, and specialty stores. (Paul and Nehring 526-528) Market Structure and Concentration Market structure of the American agricultural industry experienced greater degrees of concentration. Technological developments have segmented the American agricultural industry into two groups.One are the limited number of large farms that, in a way, can be considered as operating within an oligopoly or even nearing monopoly, except only for the government prerogatives to intervene to protect public policy. The other is small farms operating in an atomistic structure so that these do not have any significant effect on prices. There is a wide gap between the large and small farms in terms of productivity and market impact, with the large firms operating with large capital and employing high technology processes while households usually run small farms with limited workers using technological tools that f it their expenditure range.This resulted to high barriers to entry and exit. Contrary to estimates, the number of farms in the American agriculture sector experienced little change in the number of players since there are around 2. 1 million farms remaining with an average of . 25 percent decline rate. This is because the large firms have remained stable with expansion through the mergers or the acquisition of small farms. Movement occurs in the case of small firms through the entry of small farms specializing on certain agricultural products for niche markets to succeed in becoming part of the agricultural market.In addition, the difference in farmland also widened with the large farms producing on more than 1,000 acres of land while small farms only have less than 50 acres. (Ahearn, Yee, Korb 1182) Due to the segmentation of the American agricultural sector into a few large farms and many small farms, agricultural production is concentrated in the large firms contributing two-thir ds to the primary agricultural production in the United States of grains, fruits and vegetables, and livestock. The remaining one-third comes from small farms. (Ahearn, Yee, Korb 1183)Degree of Foreign Competition The degree of foreign competition in agricultural trade has grown because of the rise in the importation of agricultural products by the United States. This means that foreign competition has escalated due to the entry of agricultural imports, especially from developing countries. Projections show that in the next years the balance of trade would tip in favor of agricultural imports. During the 1980s up to the early 1990s, the United States is a string player in the export of agricultural products so that exports exceeded imports.By the mid-1990s, the surplus in agriculture trade has declined from $27. 3 billion to $10. 5 billion so that even if agricultural exports continue to increase, the volume of imports is also doubling. This was due to the rise in agricultural expor t prices as the American economy experienced growth. Economic growth also fuelled agricultural imports since Americans had the income to purchase foreign products that flooded the market due to price differences. (Jerardo) Now, growth and patterns of consumption would further fuel the growth in the imports of agricultural products.Rise in consumption together with the growing exposure of American consumers to international cuisine would continue to favor the importation of agricultural products. The consumption of foreign agricultural products should increase from 13 percent in the next years. (Jerardo) The major competitors of the United States in agricultural trade are China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and other agriculture-based economies in Latin America. These countries have large populations but these are also primarily agricultural economies owing to favorable climate conditions and low labor cost.Raw agricultural products come from Mexico and the Latin American countries becau se of geographic proximity while processed foods, which comprise 62 percent of food consumption of Americans, come from China, India and Indonesia. (Jerardo) Industry Leaders The agricultural sector in the United States is a mix of sub-sectors such as livestock or fruits and vegetables, seeds or feeds, packing or processing, and research and development. The industry leaders have stakes in many or all of these sub-sectors to ensure their competitiveness, industry position, and market share.Leaders in the agricultural sector comprise not really of the owners of farmlands but the firms controlling the agricultural sectors encompassing production, harvesting, processing, packaging, transport, and export of agricultural products. Large farms and agricultural firms have created clusters to gain access to these different sub-sectors. The clustering is dynamic depending on the shifts brought about by mergers and acquisitions. Currently, there are three clusters comprising the leading agric ultural sector players. (Helper 1288) Cargill/Monsanto.Cargill is a large firm engaged in the seed operations including research. It has a large capitalization and control over farmlands along the Ohio and Illinois River basin. Cargill purchased continental grain to gain access to corn, wheat and soybeans production along the Mississippi River for export. Monsanto is widely engaged in biotechnology and it has acquired patent over genetic products that ensure better yields through more resistant agricultural produce. Cargill entered into a joint venture with Monsanto in 1998 to gain access to the patented genetic products by offering its large capitalization as incentive.Cargill/Monsanto focuses on the production, processing, packaging, marketing, and export of seeds as well as corn, wheat and soybean products. (Heffernan) ConAgra is engaged in various sub-sectors as a top-three flour miller, top-four corn miller, top-three live stock feed producer, top-two in cattle slaughtering, to p-three pork processor, and top-five broiler producer and processor. United Agri Products, a subsidiary also engages in seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemicals as well as biotechnology. It has its own packaging and processing plants as well as land and water transportation subsidiaries.It collaborated with ADM for the operation of a grain export facility. ConAgra also has a stake in production, processing, distribution and export of grains and livestock. (Heffernan) Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) constitutes the largest processor of agricultural products such as corn, soybeans, wheat and cocoa. It collaborates with farm cooperatives to obtain raw agricultural products for processing or gained shares in firms engaged in agricultural production such as Growmark, Countrymark, United Grain, and Riceland.It has expanded into the other sub-sectors through a join venture with Novartis to gain access to seeds, biotechnology, and agricultural chemicals. It has also engaged in the raising, slaughtering and processing of livestock through joint ventures with Consolidated Nutrition and AGP. ADM has also been able to participate in the major sub-sectors. (Heffernan) Thus, the agricultural sector in the United States operates through corporate farming. Scarcity of Land Scarcity of agricultural land the in the United States pertains to the land use conversion and degradation of agricultural lands due to the use of chemicals.Land conversion decreases farm size while land degradation reduces productivity or causes shift in production from one agricultural product to another. This also pertains to the comparison of agricultural production with the consumption of agricultural products. In the United States, agricultural lands constitutes 46 percent of the land base, which remains a significant percentage share considering the massive industrialization of economic sectors. Of the 2. 3 billion acres of land comprising the United States, 442 million acres compris e croplands and more than 500 million acres of farmsteads, pastures and ranges.Conversion of agricultural lands is not significant so that in the past thirty years, only six percent of agricultural lands have been converted for other purposes. In terms of land degradation, reports have not raised alarm on the rate of land degradation. In terms of food consumption, the increase in food imports is fuelled by change in consumption patterns and not the inability of agricultural lands to support the food needs of Americans. Moreover, the U. S. remains a major food exported. Land scarcity does not constitute a major problem in the American agricultural sector.(Brady) Impact of Ethanol Production on Wheat Production and Cost to Consumers The government has implemented a fixed subsidy on ethanol at a floor rate of 40 cents for every gallon and a ceiling rate of 60 cents per gallon. The subsidy served as an incentive for production of ethanol as an alternative source of fuel in the United St ates. Relative to price of crude oil, ethanol is slightly cheaper depending on the volume of production. However, in the early 2000s, the price of crude oil skyrocketed to as much as $80 per barrel.The huge difference in price opened opportunities for the expansion of ethanol production because of the fixed subsidy together with the room for price increase that would still be below crude oil prices but constituting significantly higher prices than its previous market offering. This means that some farmers have shifted to the sowing of raw materials of ethanol leading to a decrease in the number of farmers and farmlands producing agricultural products. This in turn led to the rise in the prices of agricultural products such as wheat and even soybeans.In addition, other alternative sources of energy have gained momentum such as corn. Although corn receives lower subsidy compared to ethanol, the engagement of the agricultural sector in alternative sources of energy could significantly affect the volume of production of other agricultural products that would prove costly for consumers in the form of higher food prices. This effect has led to the emergence of the issue of food-fuel prioritization. (Tyner and Taheripour 1303) This is yet to be resolved and this would continue to become an issue in the agricultural sector until the next decade.Conclusion Outlook for the American agricultural sector in the future points to a positive situation because the United States would continue to become a major player in agricultural exports while providing agricultural products to the domestic market. However, there are a number of policy issues that requires due consideration. First, forecasts of balance of trade shows a further decline in agricultural trade surplus with some even suggesting the probability of trade deficit.This is because even if agricultural production experiences growth, the flood of imported food products could be greater, especially when these food produ cts become cheaper as the price of domestically grown agricultural products increase. This will have a significant adverse impact on the American agricultural sector. Even if there is no food shortage, the flooding of cheaper agricultural products could contribute to the decline in the agricultural sector. The government needs to assess its import policies to balance consumer demand with the viability of the agricultural sector.Second, land use and agricultural production needs assessment, since this falls within federal and state regulation, especially in the context of the food-fuel debate. The rising prices of agricultural products could be eased through the application of a flexible instead of a fixed subsidy rate together with the continued investment in research and development to justify the continuation of subsidies for ethanol and even the focus on fuel from corn. It has been thirty years since the government started implementing subsidies on ethanol but ethanol as an alter ative fuel has yet to become a commercial source of energy as intended.Thus, government policies on price support and agricultural research has played an important role in the growth of the American agricultural sector and this will not change in the future since the issues faced by the agricultural sector fall within the area of policymaking and subject to government regulation. Works Cited Ahearn, Mary Clare, Jet Yee, and Penni Korb. â€Å"Effects of Differing Farm Policies on Farm Structure and Dynamics. † American Journal of Agricultural Economics 87. 5 (2007): 1182-1189. Brady, Michael. â€Å"Land Use, Value and Management. † 18 October 2005.USDA Economic Research Service. 26 April 2008 Gardner, Bruce. American Agriculture in the Twentieth Century: How it Flourished and What is Cost. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2002. Heffernan, William. â€Å"Study on Concentration in U. S. Agriculture. † 5 February 1999. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Po licy. 26 April 2008 Helper, Susan. â€Å"Empirical Research in an Increasingly Concentrated Industrial Environment: Discussion. † American Journal of Agricultural Economics 89. 5(2007): 1288–1289.Jerardo, Alberto. â€Å"The U. S. Agricultural Trade Balance†¦ More than Just a Number. † 1 February 2004. USDA Economic Research Service. 26 April 2008 Paul, Catherine, and Richard Nehring. â€Å"Product Diversification, Production Systems, and Economic Performance in U. S. Agricultural Production. † Journal of Econometrics 126. 2(2005): 525-548. Tyner, Wallance, and Farzad Taheripour. â€Å"Renewable Energy Policy Alternatives for the Future. † American Journal of Agricultural Economics 89. 5 (2007): 1303-1310.