Breathing Underwater free essay sample

Breathing Underwater Essay BY Jfh034 Everyone has control over his own actions. In Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn, the main character, Nick, made several terrible mistakes that profoundly changed his life. He treated his girlfriend poorly, and eventually hit her. Nick is responsible for his own actions and should most definitely be held accountable for what he did, even though others in his life may have been bad influences, because in the end it was he who decided to hit Caitlin. The first reason Nick should be the only one blamed for his actions is simply ecause he is the only one who can control what his body does. Hitting Caitlin, then, was no ones fault but his own. He is sixteen years old and knew it was wrong because he eventually apologized, so there is no excuse for his assaulting of someone. Perhaps if it was an accident, his actions could be somewhat Justified but he even gives a reason for hitting her by saying that she betrayed him and had worn [him] out. We will write a custom essay sample on Breathing Underwater or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The fact that he even tries to Justify what he did shows that he was well aware that he was hitting her, and should therefore be liable for the damage he id. A second reason that Nick should be held responsible for his actions and their consequences is because people told him what he had been doing was wrong. Throughout Nick and Caitlins relationship, he had always been controlling, and at one point, his best friend Tom confronted him about his actions. Tom told him he had been acting weird and should be nicer to [Caitlin]. This should have sent up a red flag in Nicks brain telling him to change his ways, but instead he ignored the advice and his treatment of her eventually led to him beating her up. Therefore Nick s even more responsible for what he did because he had a chance to change his ways when Tom let him know that what he was doing is wrong, but he failed to heed is warning. Now it may be possible to argue that Nicks abusive behavior is a direct result of his father physically beating him throughout his life, but that certainly does not validate Nicks actions. If anything, Nick should have learned from how his relationship with his father hurt him, and known that it was wrong. Also, Nick was not alone throughout this struggle and could have confided in his best friend Tom for dvice regarding the situation. Then perhaps he would have handled matters better. In fact, Nick even ponders whether things would have turned out different if he had confided in Tom. Nick eventually repents his actions and apologizes. Nevertheless he was the sole person to blame for his causing harm Caitlin. However, his experience turns out to repair his life in the long run after he goes to counseling and stands up to his father. Even though what Nick did was wrong, perhaps he needed to do something wrong in his life to realize how far from perfect it was and that he needed to change his ways.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Book Review

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' Book Review Oscar Wildes  only novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) is a classic instance of the aestheticism of the late 19th centurys  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Ã¢â‚¬â€¹English literature. The maxim of aestheticism art for arts sake is reflected in the opening of the novel, which specifies arts aim to reveal the art and conceal the artist. For greater emphasis, Wilde defines the artist as free of ethical sympathies and morbidity. Even books are seen as only well written or badly written and not as moral or amoral. Following this prelude on art and beauty, Wilde weaves a  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹plot that explores the issue to its core. The plot of The Picture of Dorian Gray, if seen apart from the wit and epigrams of Lord Henry is serious and, at times, even somber. Dorian Gray is a young and handsome man whose well-off friend Lord Henry takes him to an art-loving painter, Basil Hallward. The painter makes a picture of Dorian Gray, a fascinating piece that makes Dorian wish to stop aging. His wish is fulfilled and the picture starts aging instead of young Dorian. The consequence is a disaster. Oscar Wilde has created an amusing tale that does not end very happily but ends beautifully with our easy-going Lord Henry still chirping. Style and Setting Anyone who has read dramatic fiction (Oscar Wilde in particular) will not find it hard to see the style of the storys narrative as closer to drama than a novel. Wilde is not obsessed with describing settings in detail as a novelist with a constructive bent would be. But the brevity of description is masterfully covered in the warm and witty conversations that fill most of the novel. The epigrams of Lord Henry shoot arrows of gentle satire on different elements of society. Women, America, faithfulness, stupidity, marriage, romance, humanity, and weather are just some of the numerous targets of Wildes criticism, which the readers receive from the sharp but sweet tongue of Lord Henry. The twittering lord is thus made an indelible  character for his ease of expression and his envied indifference. Yet, the author does not rely solely on spoken words to impart his impression. He describes some scenes in words that evoke a vivid image in the readers mind. Perhaps the best of these is Dorian Grays brief journey through the dark and filthy streets that stand in an obtrusive contrast to his luxurious entourage but which also bear a remarkable resemblance to the kind of life he has embraced. Characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray Like his stories and plays, Oscar Wilde does not employ many characters to run the story of his novel. Nearly the entire plot is nucleated around Dorian, Lord Henry, and the artist Basil. Minor characters like the Duchess of Harley serve the purpose of initiating or furthering topics that would ultimately be the butt of Lord Henrys repartees. The character description and motivation are again left mainly to the perceptual capacity of the readers. Wilde is always testing the aesthetics of his readers and the easier you go with his characters disposition, the greater insight you gain. Self-Love and the Vulnerability of Beauty The Picture of Dorian Gray addresses more than one theme. The primary appeal of the subject of beauty, as it appears to eyes, is the main focus of the novel. Wilde reveals the tenderness of self-love, or narcissism, which sometimes fails to find an object outside itself. Dorians beauty, unlike Basils art and Lord Henrys social status, is more vulnerable to decay with time. But it is not this weakness of beauty to age that brings the disaster upon our protagonist. It is the consciousness of the owner of beauty to his own wealth that triggers the boundless fear of perishingfear that causes his doom. Unlike Lord Henrys ease about his rank, Dorians angst about the ephemeral nature of his beauty is shown as the true enemy of a persons self. The philosophical boundaries of Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray are too deep to track to their ends. The novel addresses the issue of self-concept as portrayed in art. Further, it connects a persons emotional response to his/her own image. While Dorian remains young and beautiful, the mere sight of an aging picture of him is unbearably painful. It would be too presumptuous to conclude that The Picture of Dorian Gray is a work of beauty with no moralistic purpose. Wilde was not a moralist (as many of us already know) and within the book, there is not much to emphasize a moral code or right conduct. But the novel, in its covert meaning, is not without a moral lesson. We can easily see that beauty is ephemeral and any attempt to deny this fact is amoral. It brings ruin as shows the case of Dorian Gray.

Summary of readings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summary of readings - Essay Example At this time the government also started taking other initiatives regarding the social rights of the people. The government started allocating a certain amount of budget for social security, which was yet another significant contribution to the social rights of the people. Currently Japan is facing a serious problem of population decline. The population growth rate of Japan has been declining for three years in a row. As announced by the Japanese government the population decline in 2012 was 212,000, which has not been recorded before in Japanese history. The number of children born in Japan has fallen drastically. According to projections made by the Japanese government, if the current decline in population continues then the Japanese population in 2030 will decline from 127.5 million to 116.6 million. The number of aged people in Japanese population surpassed over 30 million in 2012, which was yet another record. The number of increased elderly population means that the government has to increase the health expenditure in order to help the aged with their health issues. The government also has to pay certain amount of money to the aged which will further burden the national exchequer. The trend of taking interest in human rights began in 20th century, when a drastic increase in the social welfare activities of the state was seen. Major amount of the Japanese annual budget was allocated to health insurance for its people. It was at this time that labor union started emerging whose mere concerns was to rise the demands of the workers and speak for any kind of violation in labor rights. The Japanese employers also started introducing medical insurances that were given to the prominent employees of the company. All these events were contributions to the rights of the employees and to humanity as whole. The Japanese government while designing the human rights policies follows the Universal Declaration of Human rights. The policies implemented by the Japanese gover nment and employers are somewhat a successful contribution to the human rights, however there are certain drawbacks associated with it. The Japanese government has failed to make people understand the true meaning of human rights. However it is the major focus of the government to protect the social rights of their citizens and for this purpose the policies of the government are being updated, based on the changing demand of the population. The current alarming issue for the Japanese government is the decline in birth rate. There are several reasons behind this decline in birth rate. One of the reasons is low pay rates in Japan because of which the married couple usually works more. They are also aware about their increasing needs and that they have to work more if they want to afford more than the basic necessities. Therefore Japanese couples do not desire for more children. This is one of the main reasons of low birth rate in Japan. The other reason is that because of high literac y rate in Japan the Japanese women easily find well paid job which makes them less dependent on men for their needs. This further oppresses their need for a husband. The increasing number of old age population also highlights the issue of decreased labor force in Japan. The number of people in the Japanese labor force is predicted to decrease in the coming years. This can be a drawback for the Japanese

Literature. Black American Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Literature. Black American - Essay Example In "I, Too" he makes it clear that the black man will sell or surrender his birthright to no one, for "I, too, sing America. . . .I, too, am America." The poem thus asserts the right of the black man to be heard, as it does the right of the black man to be given the respect due to a race that has known "ancient, dusky rivers", for, the soul of the black man is no shallow sieve but "has grown deep like the rivers." "Ballad of the Landlord" reminds the reader of Wole Soyinka's "Telephone Conversation", but Hughes' 'ballad' is somewhat darker in tone and manner than Soyinka's poem. In a rhythm that echoes black American speech rhythm as well as ballad meter, he sings: Although we do not hear the landlord's voice, we gather that the landlord reminds the tenant that he owes him ten bucks; and the tenant forcefully refuses to pay the amount "till you fix this house up new." We are given to understand that the landlord then threatens the tenant with eviction orders, telling him that he would turn off the heating and throw his furniture in the street. When the tenant then shakes his fist in the landlord's face, all hell breaks loose, and we are treated to the landlord's shrieks: Cle Police! Police! Come and get this man! He's trying to ruin the government And overturn the land! Clearly, things have got out of hand and we hear the "Copper's whistle", the "patrol bell" and the terse report, "Arrest. /Precinct Station./ Iron cell." The next day's newspapers complete the picture: "MAN THREATENS LANDLORD/ TENANT HELD NO BAIL/ JUDGE GIVES 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL." The 'ballad' ends with absolutely no need to underscore the injustice of what was surely a routine affair not that long ago. This kind of discrimination was equally routinely doled out to others on the fringes of society, like gays and lesbians, and Hughes highlights their plight in "Cafe: 3 A.M." The poem is short enough to quote in full: Detectives from the vice squad with weary sadistic eyes spotting fairies. Degenerates, some folks say. But God, Nature, or somebody made them that way. Police lady or Lesbian over there Where The vice squad may appear weary, all right, but their defining streak is the combination of sadism and voyeurism in their makeup, which makes them prick their ears at the

Carl Sauer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Carl Sauer - Essay Example French regional geography is an example of how the various political, cultural, military, historical and economic upheavals of the country are etched on the landscape. Sauer says (Northern Mists) the hundred years war lost ports and ravaged country sides and Napoleon’s wars left bitter memories. Culture and landscape altered after the French revolution. Through colonies, use of tobacco spread and immigration continued unabated. â€Å"Place is crucial to human geographers, therefore, because it is the individuals’ learning context, the arena in which they learn to be humans and then act as such,† Rawling (1996, p.65). Agriculture did not originate in Europe and did not improve much. â€Å"Fields were plowed and planted principally in order to raise grain, which supplied the starch and a good deal of the protein in the diet of the people† Sauer (1981, p. 31). Most grown foods came from colonies. â€Å"Dairying is the foundation of north European husbandry †¦ Fresh and sour milk, curds, butter and cheese provided, together with grain a cheap and sufficiently balanced basic diet,† (ibid, p. 36). There existed a good balance between climate, man, livestock and vegetation. Drwin’s determinism was an immense contribution to cultural geography. Environmental determinism, or Climatic Determinism, indicates physical environment determines culture.

Impact Of Climate Change On Bangladesh Environmental Sciences Essay

Impact Of Climate Change On Bangladesh Environmental Sciences Essay The world is undergoing a broad set of global changes, like changes in population density, climate, resource use, land use, biodiversity, and urbanization and globalization processes. Climate change is one of the drivers of global change, which has over the years been received strong focus by scientists, policy-makers and leaders of the world (Vitousek, 1994). At present climate change is considered as emerging global threat that not only induces physical environmental impacts but also affects the social structures, economic factors and the overall development process (Birkmann, 2010). This emerging threat has introduced a new social community named Climate Refugee especially for the affected developing nations. The UN currently states that more refugees are displaced by environmental catastrophes than wars, and the number of the climate refugee is more than 25 million which is likely to become 50 million in coming decades (Meyers, 2002). Out of those 25 million people about 10 milli on are from Africa who are directly affected by the climate change via droughts. The second largest group is from coastal areas of Asian countries, who are affected by natural disasters like cyclones, storm surges, floods, salinity and droughts (Anon, 2010). The cumulative effects of climate change exacerbate food and water insecurity, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem, environmental degradation and human insecurity through social conflict, political conflict and violence in the affected developing countries (Adger and Kelly, 1999). Hence, the socioeconomic structures are undermined in these countries where the affected people are compelled to switch over occupations for livelihood. These are the people who can no longer ensure a secured livelihood in their origin of dwelling (Mayers, 2002). Together with climate change effects, population pressure problem and hardcore poverty have induced a notable change in the whole economic structure of these countries. As a result, these countries are suffered from chronic socio-economic inequality and social instability (Barnett, 2007). Bangladesh often makes top news all over the world. However, unlike most other countries, it is not because of politics but for devastating natural catastrophes causing huge death tolls and massive destruction. This South Asian LDC, since her independence in 1971, has been struggling with a number of socioeconomic and socio-political problems such as- rapid population growth, poverty, illiteracy, gender disparity, slow economic growth, institutional inertia, political instability, violence and so on. But from last two decades she started struggling with a new problem- the adverse effects of climate change in the form of natural disasters (Miliband, 2009). Over the last two decades these disasters have become regular phenomena contributed miserable suffering to millions of inhabitants who are vulnerable to the climatic shocks (GoB, 2005). In other words, climate risk for Bangladesh is relatively higher than most other countries of the world. The Global Climate Risk Index prepared by G ermanwatch shows that Bangladesh is at top of the ranking of most affected countries by climatic extreme events over the last two decades. Table 1.1 shows the overall ranking made by Germanwatch. that the most common disasters are flood and cyclone. Recent IPCC assessment reports (TAR, 2001 and AR4, 2007) also reveal that over the last two decades both of the above-mentioned disaster-events have become more frequent and devastating for Bangladesh. It is learnt from IPCC reports that 5-10% increase in wind speed is very lik On basis of above-mentioned table, it is easy to apprehend why Bangladesh was cited numerous occasions in COP15 held in Copenhagen in 2009. At present this country is more likely to exposed towards climatic extreme events than most of the countries in the world (UNFCCC, 2009). These events, in form of natural disasters range from ravaging cyclones to devastating floods (Muhammad, 2007). Following Table 1.2 provides an overall idea on most devastating disasters occurred in Bangladesh since early twentieth century. This table shows likely during the cyclone-season in Bangladesh that would eventually enhance storm surge and coastal flooding, while 10-20% increases of wind intensity can cause floods both in coast and inlands as the cyclone makes land fall (Agarwala, 2003). It has been assessed that an increase of 2Â ° C temperature and a 0.3 m sea level rise would cause a cyclone in the costal belt of Bangladesh as strong as cyclone of 1991; furthermore, such a cyclone is likely to result in a 1.5 m higher storm surge that may inundate 20% more land than 1991 cyclone (Ali, 1996). The most recent example of costal cyclone as possible effect of climate change is SIDR which battered the coastal belt in Bangladesh on 15th November 2007. The wind speed was about 220 to 240 km/hour and at least 3,113 people were known dead and more than 10,000 were missing; the damage due to this disaster had been around US$ 2.3 million (EMDAT, 2009). The intensity of SIDR was not less than the 1991 cyclone in some part of the coastal areas and the impact was even more than that. Furthermore, on 27th May 2009, another devastating cyclone named AILA hit the South-western part of Bangladesh and West Bengal of India, which exacerbated the suffering for the affected people in Bangladesh; although an early warning system enabled the evacuation of an estimated 2.7 million people to higher ground and cyclone shelter-houses (BBC, 2009). It is predicted that a single meter rise of sea level would inundate more than 18% of the coastal belt and will affect 11% of the total countrys population. Two-third of the whole country is only 10 m above the sea level; therefore, about 13 million of the total population may likely to be homeless and become environmental refugees as the victim of climate changing process (Huq et al, 1999). Khulna and Barisal, the costal divisions of Bangladesh are relatively disaster-prone, where about 3.2 million people are at risk and about one-eighth of the countrys agricultural lands and more than 8,000 communication networks are likely to be affected due to climate change effects (Parvin, 2010). 1.2 Statement of the problem About one third of the territory of Bangladesh is delimited as coastal areas which are combined of distinctive opportunities, diversified threats and vulnerabilities (HarunOrRashid, 2009). It is because coastal areas possess different geo-physical and environmental characteristics that distinguish the coastal zone from rest of the country. These distinctive characteristics are interplay of tidal regime, salinity in soil and water, cyclone and storm surge; with economic and social implications on the population (PDO-ICZMP, 2003). Hence, such identical geo-physical pattern has introduced a completely different livelihood pattern, where people are involved with selected coastal economic activities like fishing, salt production, fry collection from the sea and resource collection from the adjacent mangrove forest (Ahmed, 2003, Islam, 2004). Although the coastal areas are much more fertile land for agricultural production, these areas are relatively income-poor compared to the rest of the country. Average per capita GDP (at current market price) in the coastal zone was US$ 402 in 2008, compared to US$ 621 for the whole country on average (GoB, 2009; CDP, 2009). There are ten different ethnic communities living in the coastal zones and they have complete different cultures and livelihood patterns. Along with the nontribal people, those ethnic communities completely depend on the coastal natural resources for their livelihood (Kamal, 2001). Their despair and dream, plight and struggle, vulnerability and resilience are uniquely revolved round in an intricate ecological and social setting which make their livelihoods distinctive from other parts of the country to a considerable extent. The Government of Bangladesh has already recognized coastal zone as areas of enormous potentials. In contrast, these areas are lagging behind in socio-economic development and vulnerable to different natural disasters and environmental degradation (Sevaraju, 2006). For a LDC like Bangladesh where the climate change takes a shape of natural disaster not only affects the socio-economic condition of coastal communities but also hinders obtaining an optimal GDP growth (ADPC, 2007). Climate change poses a significant threat for Bangladesh, particularly the projected climate change effects include sea level rise, higher temperature, enhanced monsoon precipitation and run-off, potentially reduced dry season precipitation and increase in cyclone intensity in this region (Agrawala, 2003). Those threats would induce serious impediments to the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh including coastal areas. A subjective ranking of key climate change effects for coastal Bangladesh identifies cyc lone and sea level rise as being of the highest priority in terms of severity, certainty and urgency of impact (Parvin, 2009). National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) and other scholars have identified the coastal areas of Bangladesh as one of the most affected areas in the world due to the threats of climate change effects (GoB 2005). In the southwestern part of Bangladesh the physical isolation of coastal communities makes them highly resource-dependent available around the coast and adjacent mangrove forest (the Sundarbans), which reduces their opportunities to access to alternative livelihoods indeed. These hindrances make the coastal communities vulnerable to any disruption, especially to natural catestrophes. As a result, households in coastal communities suffer from imbalance of social and economic powers, lack of participation in decision-making, limited or zero asset ownership, and laws and regulations influencing peoples ability to use assets or access to resources (Pomeroy et al., 2006). 1.3 Justification of the study There are only a few number of studies have been conducted on coastal Bangladesh. These studies are mainly conducted on hazard warning and evacuation system (Paul and Dutt, 2010), health security due to disaster (Ray-Bennet et al., 2010), physical injuries during cyclones (Paul, 2009), and coastal hazards and community-coping method (Parvin, 2009). So, most of these studies focused on the coping and adaptation mechanisms in coastal areas. However, we hardly find any study that addressed the socioeconomic vulnerability in local level of coastal zone, especially in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. Hence, without identifying local-level vulnerability pattern the suggested coping or adaptation mechanism is likely to be least effective in reality. In this study we attempt to fill up the knowledge gap by identifying quantitative local-level vulnerability at first; then we try to look for optimal adaptation options based on empirical relationship between vulnerability and important soci oeconomic parameters. We selected Koyra upazila as our study area, which one of the most disaster-prone areas in southwestern coastal zone of Bangladesh. 1.4 Research questions and objectives of the study Considering all the above-mentioned facts, we proceed with the discovery of logical answers of following research questions; What is the symptom of climate change in the study area? Which major climatic factors constitute for climate change here? Which factors exacerbate such vulnerability? Is there any single factor or multiple factors? What is the nature and magnitude of relationship between this vulnerability and socioeconomic factors in the study area? What are the possible adaptation options in terms of capacity for the vulnerable households in study area? The above-mentioned research questions are addressed by the study objectives. Hence, the main study objectives are; To understand and figure out the manifestation of climate change in the study area, To quantify socioeconomic vulnerability and assess the nature and magnitude of the relationship between vulnerability and major socioeconomic parameters of the study area, and To identify and recommend the optimal adaptation options in terms of capacity of households in the study area while addressing socioeconomic vulnerability. 1.5 Outline of this study This study consists of nine chapters. Let us have a glimpse at the brief contents of all the chapters chronologically. Chapter one is introduction. It provides an overall scenario on Bangladeshs status in relations with climate change effects. We briefly discuss about the problem statement and then we identify the possible knowledge gap of socioeconomic vulnerability in the study area. We conclude this chapter by mentioning a number of research questions, which are addressed by three main objectives of this study. In Chapter two we focus on the theoretical background and theoretical framework for this study. Under theoretical background we mention and briefly discuss relevant literatures in accordance with our study objectives. Then we depict the theoretical framework for this study, which is used for quantifying socioeconomic vulnerability of the study area. We mention about the methodology of this study in Chapter three. In this chapter we focus on types of research that we have adopted in this study. Then in accordance with study objectives we mention associated data type, collection techniques and data sources. We also mention the sampling method and sampling size. The construction of vulnerability index is discussed in this chapter. Finally we conclude by mentioning the impediments those we faced while accomplishing this study. Chapter four deals with the description of study area Koyra. We mention important information about geographical location, administration, topographic, physiographic and socioeconomic condition. We include a Disaster Calendar for our study area that we made by collecting information from households. Chapter five deals with identification of climate change effects and quantification of socioeconomic vulnerability at local level of study area. In this we show possible climate change effects in the study area based on empirical data and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) findings. Later we quantify vulnerability for each union by applying the Vulnerability Index. We show union-wise vulnerability with the help of maps. Once we have quantified vulnerability, we conduct a number of econometric analyses in Chapter six in order to show relationship between vulnerability and important socioeconomic parameters of study area. We mention the major findings from analyses in two different tables. We also put brief explanation of models and variables used in this study. In Chapter seven we discuss the major findings obtained from model analyses in elaborated way. Here we also mention the possible reasons behind the nature and extent of relationship between vulnerability and socioeconomic parameters of study area. At the end of this chapter we check the consistency of vulnerability index by applying an alternative approach. Subsequent regression coefficients of alternative approach are also tested and compared with the old model results. Based on the results of relationship mentioned in chapter six and seven; we recommend the optimal adaptation options for the affected people through brief description in Chapter eight. We also draw few of our recommendations on basis of correlation between different variables. The existing adaptation options in study area are also mentioned in Chapter eight. We conclude this study in Chapter nine. We summarize major findings from this study in a nut shell. Besides, we focus on shortcomings of the approach we used to quantify vulnerability. In fine we mention the issues that we did not address in this study where further research can be conducted.

Politics and Stem Cell Research Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Argu

Politics and Stem Cell Research The President’s Council on Bioethics published â€Å"Monitoring Stem Cell Research† in 2004. This report was written in response to President Bush’s comments regarding research of human stem cells on August 9, 2001. President Bush announced that he was going to make federal funding available for research that involved existing lines of stem cells that came from embryos. He is the first president to provide any type of financial support for the research of human stem cells. A Council was created with people who are educated in the field of stem cells to help monitor the research and to recommend guidelines and consider the ethical consequences that this research could create. This report is an â€Å"update† given by the President’s Council in January of 2004 to make the public aware of the significant developments in the science and medical aspects of stem cell research. It also describes the ethical, legal and political implications that stem cell research may create. However, since the research is still in its beginning stages, this â€Å"update† does not describe a complete or definitive study of stem cells nor does it provide specific guidelines or regulations. This is a report that is suppose to help the President, Congress and general public make better-informed decisions as to the direction that we should go with stem cells. This report does a fairly comprehensive job on educating the public to the definition of stem cells, describing them as â€Å"a diverse group of remarkable multipotent cells that are relatively undifferentiated and unspecialized cells of the body.† Stem cells have the capacity for unlimited self-renewal and the possibility to produce differentiated descendant cell types. The main in... ...rstanding exactly how they function and what their potential may be. The Council neglects to discuss what the boundaries should be in regards to research and whether not it is ethically or morally right to use and destroy embryos for the sake of medical advancement. They also do not clearly state who should pay for the research on stem cells. Since President Bush appoints the Council, there has been criticism that the committee is bias towards his views. In general, the report is ambiguous and does not specifically come to any concrete conclusions, nor does it provide any new information. Sources: The President's Council on Bioethics, Washington, D.C. January 2004. www.bioethics.gov News Briefings. U.S. News Libraray http://www.usnews.com/usnews/briefings/stemcell0701.htm Russo, Eugene. The Scientist: No decision on stem cells. Daily News. January 16, 2004