Welcome to February

1. My topic is on the ethics of embryo engineering and why some people consider it to be immoral, while others find it to be a beneficial procedure. 

2. The most useful pieces of research that I have found are books. Books provide detailed information on the subject as well as the pros and cons. Books present various arguments for and against embryonic engineering, whereas a webpage will present information on a single issue. 

3. I currently believe, as I did before I began my research, that embryo engineering is only morally correct when it comes to disease. I believe it is unethical to create "Designer Babies": babies with a chosen eye color, hair color, height etc. 

4. I will briefly explain each process that is involved in genetically engineering embryos.   I will explain in simple terms, but I want to make sure that the reader can get a basic understanding of this complicated subject. For example, in vitro fertilization is involved in the overall process of genetically engineering a baby, but it is not the process in controversy. Aspects such as in vitro, that important components of embryo engineering but are not the process itself, I will explain thoroughly but briefly. Example:
In Vitro Fertilization  is a process, besides genetically engineering the baby, that must take place in order to successfully implant the genetically engineered embryo. In Vitro is the complicated process of  "manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. When the IVF procedure is successful, the process is combined with a procedure known as embryo transfer, which involves physically placing the embryo in the uterus". 

5. One thing that surprised me was the amount of research that was dedicated to societal and family divisions that can arise because of embryo engineering. 

Response

"Until the Great Drepression..."
In this passage, Jennifer Senior, claims that before the Great Depression relations between adolescents and adults were better. At what cost were these relationships better though? Before the Great Depression social divisions were mainly due to class. Many did not graduate high school (and attend college) because they would follow their parent's footsteps. It is now a significantly different situation. Students are spending less time with adults, but they are given the same education and opportunities regardless of their family's income.There are obvious social divisions within high schools, but they are not based solely upon class. I would rather deal with a few obnoxious teenagers for four years than getting no education.

Topic of Choice: Brownies

Brownies are one of the most popular pastries in the United States. Since their invention in Boston in the early 20^th century, they have become one of the world’s yummiest treats. But who invented this perfect pastry? What is the history behind the brownie? And what makes them so special? 

This is one of the many recipes that have been developed for baking brownies:

• ·       Soft butter, for greasing the pan
• ·         Flour, for dusting the buttered pan
• ·         4 large eggs
• ·         1 cup sugar, sifted
• ·         1 cup brown sugar, sifted
• ·         8 ounces melted butter
• ·         11/4 cups cocoa, sifted
• ·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ·         1/2 cup flour, sifted
• ·         1/2 teaspoons salt

It is amazing how these simple ingredients can mix together to form one of America’s best inventions. Who came up with this amazing idea? 

The first brownie recipe was printed in the early 20^th century. There are various legends regarding the invention of the brownie. Among those is the legend of a chef who mistakenly added melted chocolate to a batch of biscuits, and consequently created the brownie. Another favorite legend tells of a housewife in Bangor, Maine, who was making a chocolate cake but forgot to add baking powder. When her cake didn't rise properly, instead of tossing it out, she cut and served the flat pieces. Despite of the many legends, much evidence points to Fanny Farmer as being the creator of the brownie. In 1905, Farmer adapted her chocolate cookie recipe to a bar cookie baked in a rectangular pan, thus creating the brownie.

Farmer’s accidental creation has turned into one of today’s favorite treats (maybe I speak out of personal experience). Regardless, brownies are perfect with anything. They can be a simple snack you make at home or be a fancy pastry that you can purchase at Bouchon Bakery. They can mix with your favorite ice cream, be made into a brownie pizza, or be combined with your favorite recreational drug (just kidding).  Brownies are the world. 

Source A

Source B

Souce C 

Racial Profiling

I was only five years old when the 9/11 tragedy happened. By being part of one of the most abundant minority groups in the US, I have not faced much racial profiling when it comes to terrorism. Yet, this is not the case for many other racial groups. Many people are subject to interrogation and delays because of their skin color or appearance. Should a person be put through hours of investigation for the sake of others?  Only to be found not guilty, in most cases? This is a controversial question that the essays we read in class had different answers to.

The passages we read in class have differing perspectives on this controversial issue. Each passage had a valid reason for being against or okay with racial profiling. It is easy to say that these new airport security measures are for the best, when your racial group isn't the one being targeted.  Or one can say it’s for the best, but what about that individual’s rights? In the end, airport security measures are not our decision. If a person wants to use these government facilities, they should abide by their rules. Airport security measures, no matter how discriminatory or unfair, have for the most part kept Americans safe since the 9/11 tragedy. 

Sentence Fixes

These are my fixes

Research Paper Progress

1. My research topic is on embryo engineering and why some consider it to be immoral and unethical while others see it as beneficial.

Sources
1) Humans Have a Right To Be Born Without Genetic Manipulation. This article touches on the subject of a human's right to be free of genetic manipulation. It also mentions the damage to social justice caused by engineered embryos.

2) DON'T TRY TO ENGINEER HUMAN EMBRYOS. This article mostly deals with the social issues that would develop by embryo engineering, especially those regarding socioeconomic status. It also lightly touches the health problems that would be faced by engineered embryos.

3). Benefits of Human Genetic Engineering. This website mentions the benefits of embryo engineering. It provides examples of how embryo engineering could possibly get rid of diseases through a process called "gene therapy".

4). Genetically Enhancing Children Violates Humans Rights. This focuses on the negatives of embryo engineering those including; the dangers of embryo gene manipulation and the right to be free from genetic manipulation.

5). The Case against Perfection by Michael J. Sandel. The book;s main question is "What aspects of human freedom or human flourishing do they threaten?" The chapters then outline different aspects of embryo engineering and its effects.

Bibliography 

Anti-gay

I don't agree with much of it, but here it is.