Designer Babies Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Designer Babies - Research Paper Example benefits at community level such as having a strong character generation that can be of positive use to community; yet there are some ethical issues, which some people grade as un-natural and fiddling with the process of nature. But this is still debatable, as pros and cons or the results yielded by this technology can be evaluated to declare it a viable measure to adopt for having a better generation (Bliss, 2012, p.5). Designer babies’ technology, to some people is a chance for better, healthier and intelligent generation but there are few who consider it as â€Å"playing God† and trying to program a human being. Both concerns are correct in their perspectives as this technology can be used to improve lives and at the same time it can be used to harm people as well. One of the positive effects that can be achieved through this technology is that it can control the genetic diseases by creating the cures in a child way before his birth. There are a number of diseases in the world, which are still in-curable such as bubble boy, cystic fibrosis and several more. The technology ensures that viruses or the causes of these diseases are not transmitted to next generation genetically. People would not fear of transmitting deadly diseases to their next generations through genes. Baby designing gives us a vision into future where heredity diseases would be swabbed out. This technology in turn, can improve the health standards of society tremendously then as it is known today (Deane and Peters, 2003, p.38). With the advancement in technology and easy availability of baby designer technology, the genes alteration will not stop at disease treatment. Parents would definitely demand at a stage, that genes of their children be altered or selected in a way to choose their children’s skin color, level of intelligence, aptitude for making him a better child in community. The element of â€Å"Human Factor† will exist no more as everyone will be like super human having all the

Poverty in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Poverty in America - Essay Example These figures imply that there are about 37 million people well below the poverty threshold as at end-2004. In view of the above, steps on how to alleviate poverty in the country must be efficiently programmed. In order to address the heart of this matter, legislators and private sector should have an understanding of key issues regarding poverty and the poor people in the US. The lives of those people bordering or below the poverty line are controlled by myriad factors which should be taken into consideration. This paper provides an overview of the profile of poor people and discusses how economic and social factors such as availability of job opportunities, prevailing wage levels, single parenthood, level of education, housing, health, mental illness and substance abuse among others affect the poor in America. The poverty line is defined by the Census Bureau as a threshold level of total money income, which includes wages and salaries, self-employment income, interest income, social security and welfare benefits, alimony and unemployment compensation, received by all family members on an annual basis. The threshold set varies depending on the number of adults and children in the family. As at end-2004, a family with two parents and two children required $19,157 to be above poverty line. A family headed by a single parent with two children needed $15,219 to elude poverty. On the other hand, a single elderly person needed $9,060 to answer day-to-day needs. Those who fall within the said levels are deemed poor. (Cadena & Sallee) As mentioned, poverty rate rose to 12.7% in 2004 from 12.5% in 2003. The increase in poverty is attributed to the decrease in real earnings. This means that, although relatively more people who wanted to work had jobs in 2004 than in the previous year, many have earned less after their earnings are adjusted for inflation. (Cadena & Sallee) The median earnings fell by 1.0% and 2.3%, for women and men working full time, respectively. The increase in poverty level is also considered to be concentrated among native-born non-Hispanic white Americans between the ages of 18 and 64. (Cadena & Sallee) Job Opportunities One of the primary factors affecting poor people is the availability of suitable employment. This is vital since it is mainly from the earnings gained from working that people are able to meet their needs and required sustenance. It is observed though that limited job opportunities as well as the prevailing low wages contribute to the persistence of poverty in America ("Hunger and Poverty in the United States"). The minimal wage for unskilled workers and some employment barriers for poor job seekers are deemed to perpetuate poverty (Mangum, Mangum & Sum). Albeit as much as 50% of all those considered living in poverty are actually working, their jobs pay minimal wages barely enough to cover their basic needs and that do not keep up with the rising inflation. In this regard, these people still fall under the poverty line. These conditions are aggravated by the fact that the working people in poverty are not able to receive social welfare benefits from the government as their earnings make them ineligible for government assistance. (Giddens) In order to make ends meet, some people are forced to get an extra job. Given the rising cost of living, one job may not be