Abstract
The paper shows that in the matter of faith and morals the Catholic church has a right to teach. However, no moral issue can be seen without reference to the values and conscience of the individual. It discusses how feminists emphasize the need for balance in considering the dignity and worth of the woman and the official teachings of the Catholic Church. This paper looks at the morality of sterilization today and examines some history of approaches to the biological fecundity of women and the attitudes of society and the Catholic church.

From the Paper
"While there is not a plethora of material available on church teaching on vasectomies and laparoscopic sterilizations, there are numerous guidelines on related matters such as the sexual relationship in marriage and the issue of contraception. These in themselves are closely related to the question of sterilization within marriage. The points of contention center on the very heart of Christian Morality and conscience today and are as contentious as usury was to the church of the Middle Ages. Just as the latter issue reflected the changing society of that time, it is hypothesized that sterilization undertaken by married couples at the completion of their family is a reflection of society of the 1990s, and poses some searching questions on morality for today's church."

Tags:contraception, culture, marriage, morality, procreation, theology, Christian, Pope, Pius

Abstract
This paper looks at various arguments against human cloning including how human reproduction needs a connection between males and females; how it is 'playing God'; the affects on identity; and the dangers of 'designer babies'. The writer concludes that cloning is just like any other innovation ans should be taken forward, all be it carefully.

From the Paper
"The arguments against human cloning that this paper will look at fall into the two categories. 1) That the negative consequences of cloning humans outweigh the benefits and/or 2) That human cloning is somehow inherently wrong. This essay will look at various arguments against human cloning including: the idea that human reproduction needs a connection between male and female' the cloning of humans is 'playing God', cloning humans will affect our identity as humans, (particularly any cloned humans) and lastly that it introduces the dangers of 'designer babies' and a grand Eugenic design. My response attempts to be from a Christian perspective informed by arguments derived from current science."

Tags:baby, consequential, designer, eugenic, fatalism, god, playing, selection, versus, voluntarism

Abstract
The increasing relationship between transnational criminal groups and terrorist groups constitutes a complex and fluid situation. This paper broadly examines some of the reasons for the increasing relationship between these two groups and by looking briefly at the organisational structures, actions and motivations of them, attempts to assess the current strength of this linkage.
Outline
Introduction
Traditional Similarities
Growing Similarities
Partnerships
Fundamental Differences
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Prior to September 11 the relationship between transnational criminal groups and terrorist groups was relatively unexplored and it appears that it was a widely held view that the link between the two was limited. In 1996 the United States government reported, 'On the basis of information currently available to the United States Government, it appear[s] that most transnational crime [is] completely unrelated to terrorist crimes or terrorism' . In the mid-1990s Alex Schmid (head of the United Nations Terrorism Prevention Branch) completed a study for the United Nations in which he came to the conclusion that '...despite some common ground, organized crime and terrorism are distinct phenomena that should not be confused. While there is overlap in the modus operandi of terrorists and organized criminals, there are several important differences'."

Tags:united, nations, al, qaeda, 9/11

Abstract
This paper examines how although tragic, the plight of Terri Schiavo provides a valuable case study, and the conflicts and misunderstandings surrounding her situation offer important lessons in medicine, law and ethics. The author reviews the current medical understanding of persistent vegetative state, including the requirements for patient examination, the differential diagnosis, and the practice guidelines of the American Academy of Neurology regarding artificial nutrition and hydration for patients with this diagnosis. Next it examines the legal history including the 2000 trial, the 2002 evidentiary hearing and the subsequent appeals. The author argues that the law did not fail Terri Schiavo, but produced the highest-quality evidence and provided the most judicial review of any end-of-life guardianship case in U.S. history.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Understanding the Persistent Vegetative State
Legal History and Commentary
Competing Ethical Frameworks
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"The Schiavo case rests critically on the concept of the persistent vegetative state and the certainty of the prediction that a patient in this state will have no meaningful recovery. The persistent vegetative state is distinguished from several other states of reduced consciousness. Brain death implies the loss of not only all higher brain functions but also all brainstem functions, including pupillary light reflexes, reflex eye movements, respirations, and gag and corneal reflexes. Determination of brain death is straightforward and is generally accepted as a criterion for death. Coma is a complete state of unresponsiveness to stimuli, although the patient may have brainstem reflexes."

Tags:euthanasia, vegetative, guardianship, life

Abstract
While the boundaries of race and socioeconomic classes no longer keep the United States segregated, subtle forms of discrimination continue to proliferate. The bitter debates over issues like affirmative action and racial profiling illustrate how American society continues to be polarized by race and class. This paper looks at how insidious forms of discrimination continue to affect the lives of people who are marginalized by their race or socioeconomic class. The paper examines how race and socioeconomic class can affect people's education and their subsequent educational achievements.

From the Paper
"Education is an important foundation for a person's life. Early on, the quality of education will determine where people will go to college, their career opportunities and their income potential. People who have a solid educational background are at a marked advantage over their peers. They have access to better colleges, more prestigious careers and are often able to provide the same advantages for their children.
As the Page and the Blair studies have shown, the inverse is often true for students from poorer school districts and those who are of African-American and Hispanic origin. Often, they do not have access to technology in the classrooms that improves mathematical skills and self-esteem in younger students. They are also adversely affected by unintentional bias among school administrators and teachers."

Tags:technology, African-American, Hispanic

Abstract
In vitro fertilisation has been used for decades and allows parents and doctors to screen embryos for genetic disorders and select healthy embryos. This paper investigates and rebuts the argument against genetic engineering and builds a strong case supporting 'designer babies'.

From the Paper
"An even greater and more controversial development in medical science is the technology of stem cells developed from early pre implanted human embryo, and in the near future, the ability to manipulate DNA. The new technology of stem cells will revolutionize medicine. When someone has a heart attack cells are damaged but a dose of new cells made in the lab could cure the harm. It will be possible to cure numerous cell-based diseases like juvenile-onset diabetes and Parkinson's disease, and to make organ transplants unnecessary. An American woman recently had her sight restored using eye cells harvested from stem cells. In future procedures like this could enhance the quality of life of humankind."

Tags:cloning, fertilisation, genetics, vitro, in, dna, disease

Abstract
This paper applies the identity theory to the case of immigration in the United States. It asks if the United States should continue to allow Immigrants to enter the U.S. seeking refuge and citizenship, when the nations states are already overly populated? It questions whether immigrants should be allowed to enter the U.S. and work when there are hundreds of citizens and native-born Americans already unemployed and desperately searching for work. It uses these questions as example of the conflicting messages immigrants and their children face in modern day society, and explains how they add to the increasingly complex problem of finding identity in a torn nation.

From the Paper
"The United States is world known for its ethnic diversity, due in part to the immigration allowed over several years. Many people however, fail to find a means to foster inter-racial and ethnic identities, thus causing much conflict and a lack of a uniform sense of identity. The social issue relates to finding a common identity in a nation of multi-ethnicities. Children of immigrants are now coming of age, and from a social psychological stand will make the most lasting impression on society. The character of society will be shaped by their experiences."

Tags:ethnic, diversity, america, racial, employment, population

Abstract
This paper discusses the many uses of stem cells, especially in the area of juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's disease and cell regeneration. This paper explains how the fertilized human egg develops into stem cells and their various biological sources and how they are acquired for use in research, including the NIH guidelines. The author believes that stem cell research is so new that the scientists can only guess at what it will be able to achieve as well as what it will not be able to do.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Acquisition of Stem Cells
Opposition to Stem Cells Research
Limitations of Stem Cells Research
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Early research into the use of stem cells focused on two separate approaches. One involved the "control of gene expression", or determining when genes were active or inactive. The other involved the generation or new cells. Some recent research has combined the two approaches, looking at the possibility that gene manipulation could be combined with cell growth, further broadening the potential applications for gene therapy."

Tags:acquisition, opposition, limitation, replacement, therapy

Abstract
An analysis of the current budget deficit and its causes--a slow economy, tremendous spending on the Iraq war and tax cuts. The paper also addresses the economic effect of a deficit on the economy and the desirable and adverse effects caused by a deficit. This essay concludes that spending would be more productive if directed to structural elements of the economy.

From the Paper
"Budget deficits occur when government expenditure is greater than revenue, forcing the government to borrow to meet its requirements. There are many potential economic effects of a deficit; the most apparent is an expansionary effect on the economy caused by injections of money being greater than withdrawals. Fiscal policy, among many other mechanisms is used to manipulate the economy. However, budget deficits should be used as to not adversely affect the economy. The federal budget deficit set the new record of $374 billion in 2003, doubling last year's efforts (Fram). The record deficit has been caused by the slow economy, tremendous spending on the Iraq war and tax cuts for the rich. This indicates that the great America does not know how to balance the checkbook, and certainly does not know how to spend wisely."

Tags:bush, debt, fiscal, iraq, monetary, spending, surplus, tax, tax, trade, war

Abstract
This essay attempts to elucidate the impacts of immigration focusing on Australian society. First, the impact of immigration from an economic point of view is explained. This is followed by a scrutiny of the social impact of immigration and a review of the environmental impact.

Tags:immigration, impacts, economics, linguistics