The Family That Walks on All Fours Essay Example for Free

The Family That Walks on All Fours Essay In The Family that Walks on All Fours, a documentary by PBS NOVA, a genetic anomaly was discovered in a remote location in Turkey. A family of twenty-one, two parents and nineteen children, six of the children were born quadrupedal. The diagnosis was a debate between reverse evolution and a mental deficiency in the cerebellum; both of which deal with genetics. However, it was not debatable that many key factors such as inbreeding amongst close relatives, isolation, the nature of the genes involved, and the role of environment and culture on the expression of the gene. Inbreeding amongst many species is common and not usually deleterious, but with the complexity of the human genome increases the chance of mutations. The reason inbreeding is common amongst many animals is because of assortative mating, which is a reproductive isolating mechanism in which a mate is chosen based upon certain specifications deemed valuable to the species. This is also a form of pre-zygotic selection. In the case of the family observed the parents were found to be first cousins, which is unusual for members of our species to mate when that closely related. One of the potential reasons for why this inbreeding could have happened is the geographical isolation. The community is in essence allopatric to the neighboring towns since that sort of travel is unfeasible to their lifestyle. It is unlikely that this family is a â€Å"genetic throwback† or a â€Å"missing link† and it was almost offensive to the family to act as if they were in reverse evolution, especially with the culture of the surrounding community. Throwing around labels like these are not helpful to a family in need of help of medical assistance so they are not seen as demons or monsters. However, this family could provide critical information about mobility in regards to the genome. MRI scans suggested that the brothers and sisters have a form of cerebellar ataxia. The condition affects the brains cerebellum, which is located at the top of the neck and is associated with balance and muscle coordination. Since it has been discovered, according to the video, that there is a basic set of â€Å"blueprints† odds are there is a gene for cerebral development. If the gene associated with cerebral development could be located it could not only help this family but many others with diffe rent cerebral defects as well. Due to the culture, the oldest brother taught himself to walk upright. With assistance and physical therapy majority of the affected siblings have been able to begin to walk upright. Some conclusions that can be drawn would be that this quadrupedalism is a recessive since only five out of nineteen children are affected. It cannot be sex linked for many reasons, one of which being that three daughters and two sons were affected. It is possible by definition that it could be a lethal allele in the aspect that there was a miscarriage and it clearly interferes with essential genes, but it probably is not. Hopefully continued research can lead to further insight into what genes are involved with this condition and more knowledge about cerebral development, motor function, and evolution.

Liberal Education: Why is it important in todays workforce? Essay

Why do college students need courses in the liberal arts? Is it beneficial or just a waste of time? Will it make them or influence them to become better workers once they graduate or will it just go down the drain and be useless? Student loans are increasing every year, and each student just wants to finish their degrees at a lesser price and a quicker pace, so they can start working and pay for those debts. In today’s society where some to most students are very much career – driven, they decide to specialize early on their degrees which means taking all the classes that are required in their respective majors. Students are only required to take minimal courses or subjects in the liberal arts such as humanities, philosophy, communication, etc. Also, students are more keen to focus on what they think or believe can offer high salary base pays professions especially in this current state of our economy. Even though students specialize early in the degree that they have chosen has its advantages, college students would benefit more if they are required to take core classes in the liberal arts to develop not only a well – rounded education but also prepare them for the real world. By taking subjects in the liberal arts along with their field of specialty, students will develop strong critical thinking skills that will be beneficial in problem solving once they have a job. They will also have competent oral and written communication skills that are necessary in any organization, and their creativity and innovation will be enhanced. Now, let us define liberal arts or liberal education. According to Michael Lind, liberal arts should be understood in its original sense as â€Å"elite skills† (54). We all know that liberal arts include cour... ...ergraduates Specialize?† The Chronicle of Higher Education. 2006. Rpt. in Current Issues and Enduring Questions. Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 555-557. Print. Jones, Roberts T. "Liberal Education For The Twenty-First Century." Liberal Education 91.2 (2005): 32. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 24 May 2012. Lemann, Nicholas. "Liberal Education & Professionals." Liberal Education 90.2 (2004): 12. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 24 May 2012. Lind, Michael. "The Global Race for Knowledge: Why the Liberal Arts Still Matter." Wilson Quarterly Vol. XXX, No. 4. Autumn 2006: 52-58. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 May 2012. Menand, Louis. â€Å"Re-imagining Liberal Education.† Education and Democracy. 1997. Rpt. in Current Issues and Enduring Questions. Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s , 2011. 571-574. Print.

Restorative Justice and the Criminal Justice System Essay

Mennonites and other practitioners in Ontario, Canada, and later in Indiana, experimented with victim offender encounters that led to programs in these communities and later became models for programs throughout the world. Restorative justice theory developed initially from these particular efforts[ (Zehr, 2002) ]. The restorative justice movement originally began as an effort to rethink the needs which crimes create, as well as the roles implicit in crimes. Restorative justice advocates were concerned about needs that were not being met in the usual justice process[ (Zehr, 2002) ]. The criminal justice system’s approach to justice has some important strengths. Yet, there is also a growing acknowledgment of this system’s limits and failures. Victims, offenders, and community members often feel that justice does not adequately meet their needs. Justice professionals, who make up the core components, such as: judges, lawyers, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, and prison staff frequently express a sense of frustration as well. Many feel that the process of justice deepens societal wounds and conflicts rather than contributing to healing or peace[ (Zehr, 2002) ]. Interdisciplinary study and research in public safety and restorative justice is very important. Restorative justice at this day in age will not replace the current court system, but it offers an alternative resolution service for people who want to try another approach. For example, some places are offering mediated victim and offender community conferences. These conferences provide facilitators to help victims and offenders seek reconciliation and resolution. Restorative justice seeks alternatives to continue to put more and more people in jail. Restorative justice seeks sentences that make amends to the victim of crime and to the community as a whole [(Zehr, 2002) ]. Restorative Justice 3 My related feel of study is criminal justice. The criminal justice system is not a perfect system by far. The criminal justice system is concerned about holding offenders accountable, but that means making sure offenders get the punishment they deserve. The restorative justice approach focuses on the harm that has been done to people, individually and as a community. Restorative justice recognizes that crime is wrong and should not occur and also recognizes that after it does, there are dangers and opportunities. Restorative justice has brought an awareness of the limits and negative byproducts of punishment. Beyond that, however, it has argued that punishment is not real accountability. Real accountability involves facing up to what one has done. It means encouraging offenders to understand the impact of their behavior, the harms they have done, and urging them to take steps to put things right as much as possible[ (Zehr, 2002) ]. Restorative justice and the criminal justice system are two systems that have different views. Restorative justice focuses on harm that has been done to people, individually and as a community. It recognizes that crime is wrong and should not occur, and also recognizes that after it does, there are dangers and opportunities[ (Kelly, 2001) ]. The criminal justice system has three core components, police, courts, and corrections. Each core component has a different function in the criminal justice system. The police functions are to enforce specific laws, investigate specific crimes, earch people, vicinities, buildings, arrest or detain people. The police function is primarily a function of cities and states (Overview, 2008). The courts functions are broken down into prosecutors, judges and magistrates. The prosecutors file charges or petitions for adjudication, seek indictments, drop cases and reduce charges. Restorative Justice 4 The judges and magistrates set bail or conditions for release, accept pleas, determine delinquency, dismiss charges, impose sentences, and revoke probation (Overview, 2008). The corrections components are correctional officials and paroling authorities. Correction officials assign to type of correctional facility, award privileges, and punish for disciplinary infractions. The paroling authorities determine date and conditions of parole and revoke parole. Corrections are a primary function of the state and government (Overview, 2008). Throughout the United States the criminal justice system is in a state of crisis. The public is fearful and angry. Practitioners are weary and frustrated. Criminal justice policy is driven more by anecdote than systematic information. Costs of current policies are not sustainable over long periods. Victims are often re-victimized in the process.

Main Motives In Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 935 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/06/10 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Frederick Douglass Essay Did you like this example? Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an autobiographical book written by Frederick Douglass and published in 1845. A former slave, the author recollects his passed life as a slave in the South and reveals the numerous the atrocities of the institution of slavery. The book is a recollection of the years spent as a constantly oppressed and humiliated slave. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Main Motives In Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass" essay for you Create order In such a way, his own experiences that Frederick Douglass narrates in the book tell us a lot about slave life in the nineteenth century. As Douglass notes, three or four hundred slaves in the plantation where he worked lived hard life full of constant hardships: they had their small allowance of food, and received around seven dollars in order to cover their bodies with clothes. There were even no beds for slaves to sleep on and they often slept all together on the floor in cold nights. When he was relocated to the city, Douglass was treated not very bad, which suggests better conditions of city slaves when compared to those in plantations. Most importantly, here he learned to read and write here, which was extremely important to Douglass. The young man perceived that literacy was his path towards freedom. It provided him with the hope not to die as a slave but spend several years being a free man. Interestingly, the autobiography can also be interpreted in lieu of the writerrs re-evaluation of the Christian beliefs on the subject of slavery. Sometimes, Douglass writing style reminds of the Biblical manner of narrative. Nevertheless, Christianity as presented by the author appears to be of dual nature when he reveals the hypocrisy of slave owners who call themselves Christians. The narrator refers to slaves as precious souls are to-day shut up in the prison-house of slavery (Douglass Garrison, 1845, p.70). He simply cannot understand how this universe can be ruled by a righteous God when so many suffering and injustice are around: and for what does he hold the thunders in his right hand, if not to smite the oppressor, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the spoiler? (Douglass Garrison, 1845, p.70). Douglass wonders why men and women are sold into slavery to build churches and children are sold to buy Bibles all for the glory of God and the good of souls! The slave auctioneerrs bell and the church-going bell chime in with each other, and the bitter cries of the heart-broken slave are drowned in the religious shouts of his pious master (Douglass Garrison, 1845, p.102). Besides, Douglass narrates his experience as a slave through the concepts of hierarchy and subordination. The author makes it clear that he understands how financial and social hierarchies work: when pointing out that it is very bad to be a slave and instantly ironically notes that being a slave to the more laborious poorer classes is even worse. Douglass further analyses Mr. Auldrs sarcastic idea on education and the hazards associated with it. For the owner, learning is very dangerous for the entire slave system: the man was convinced that even the best slave can be spoilt once s/he gets educated: A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master†to do as he is told to do. Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. (Douglass Garrison, 1845, p.29). Even being an educated free man, Douglas mentions that as a former slave, he does not know an exact date of his birth. Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine how people can live without knowing when they were born. This confession also tells a lot about the atrocities of the institution of slavery in the nineteenth century, one group of people treated others as non-humans. Another proof that the narrator was treated not like a human being, but as an animal is the fact that he did not even have his own surname. Only after becoming a free person, he chose the surname Douglass for himself. Douglass worldview changed over time after becoming free, he did not express hatred towards slave owners but spoke of them in an objective way. Deeply impressed with his emotive speech, the anti-slavery society granted him a lectureship, and Douglass managed to publish his autobiography. Therefore, the suffering he endured did not make him cruel and hating person instead, Douglass became stronger and more resistant to the future hardships in his life. It is noteworthy that the narration hardly contains the speeches full of hatred since Douglass manages to distance himself from revenge. As an objective writer, Douglass tends to analyze his past in the tone of insight. Still, some scenes described by him are truly emotional and hard to read even for the contemporary reader: it is believed that a dozen slaves put to the lash is suffering is better than when an overseer is punished in the presence of slaves, for being at fault (Douglass Garrison, 1845, p.18). In conclusion, as an autobiographical book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass comprises so much more than just a record of historical data and official account of events. While reading the book, the reader can picture the nineteenth century slavery and understand what it took the narrator to become a free man. It is hardly possible not to empathize with Douglass as the former slave. The very institution of slavery appears even more abominable, absurd, and cruel after reading this powerful anti-slavery tract. The life experience as a slave in the South was painful, but it made the narrator whom he became at the end, the symbol of humanrs persistence to gain freedom.