Family Interview project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Family Interview project - Essay Example The eldest son is going to a preparatory school, the youngest is just a year and a half old. They are living in a middle-class subdivision. The relationship of the father between the two children is not any different with each other. He treats the eldest the same way he treats the youngest though he and the eldest son know that he is a stepdad. It has not been very difficult for them to establish a relationship since the eldest son was just young and there is no other prominent father figure present in his life. Their family is a picture of a happy one. Though there are the normal arguments and discussions between the couple and the between parent and child, there isn’t any inkling, if you’re a stranger looking at them, that they are a remarried family. The mother transitioned from being a single parent to a remarried parent. She has been a single parent for two years before she remarried and introduced her new husband to their family. Being a single parent, I was able to identify with her since I am mothering two children alone. This became the focus of our conversation, wherein she told me stories of the difficulties and perks of being a single parent and a remarried parent. It wasn’t that hard to introduce the new father since there was no prominent father figure prior him. The hard part was her adjustment to a new life with a man leading the house since she was used to being the head of the family. The once â€Å"her rules† became â€Å"his rules† or â€Å"his and her rules.† Eventually though, since her firstborn, being very young, easily adapted to situation, she was able to adapt to fairly quick. She is glad, she says, that she has found a partner that can help her raise her children and help them development mentally and socially since being alone sometimes gets too stressful because she has no one to share the tasks and responsibilities with. From a single parent family,

Discuss the significance of an understanding of typical language and Essay

Discuss the significance of an understanding of typical language and communication development for a practitioner working with p - Essay Example Autism can lead to learning disorder. In line with this, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2010) revealed that there is a high risk that autistic children may experience fragile X syndrome – causing mental retardation, tuberous sclerosis – tumor in the brain, epileptic seizures, ADHD, learning disabilities, and Tourette syndrome – a neuropsychiatric disorder that is characterized by multiple physical tics or at least one vocal tic. In relation to the onset of Tourette syndrome, ‘motor tics’ are considered as a sudden repetitive non-rhythmic movement whereas ‘phonic tics’ are characterized by sudden repetitive utterances which are produced by moving air through the throat, nose, or mouth (Leckman et al. 2006). In most cases the presence of uncontrolled and severe motor and phonic tics could lead to dyslexia – reading disabilities, dysgraphia – written language disabilities (LD Online 2008). ... As part of determining the strategic ways on how special school teachers could cater the special needs of children with autism, this report will explore the significance of understanding typical language and communication development for practitioners who are working with autistic individuals. Importance of Early Educational Intervention in Autistic Child’s Learning Development Autistic individuals are experiencing communication problems related to the use of speech and language simply because autistic school-age children do not realize the importance of communicating to other people. According to Meyers and Johnson (2007), the use of educational intervention as soon as a child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders is more beneficial on the part of the autistic children as compared to leaving the child socially isolated for a very long time. With the provision of special learning support, the ability of autistic children to learn the proper use of language can prog ress at a much slower phase as compared to school-age children without autism. In line with this, the use of educational intervention could not only improve the child’s ability to develop their independence from their parents but also improve their academic learning experiences and ability to socialize and communicate with other children. In the long-run, autistic children who are given the opportunity to attend school are expected to be able to improve their adaptive skills by learning how to control their interfering behaviors. The cost of hiring 1:1 ratio between the special school teacher and autistic student is very high. Aside from providing autistic children with intensive intervention of at least 25

LEGO Company Analysis

LEGO Company Analysis This assignment study aims at providing a detailed and objective evaluation of LEGO Company in toys industry that generally target at children fewer than 14 not only in the Demark but also over the world. The research examines and analysis of the business environment and internal factors in which the company operates by PESTEL, SWOT, and 5 FORCES analysis. By these tools, we identify trends and future development of this industry combines with current strategic position and tactic of the firm to link to options. Then, it defines main problem, provide a summary of the key challenges facing the business bases on our analysis, which the company is coping with. They are both external and internal issues. And after that, we will put forward a great many ideas to improve the style of work in short term as well as long term plans. These strategies of reorganization are developed and evaluated, in which bring the company to be crowned with success in the future. This report is about identifying the issues facing the LEGO Company and suggesting some realistic strategic options for dealing with them. The report will help lecture and people know how we analyzing LEGO Company step by step thought both external and internal of the firm; and the solution that we deal with options of the firm. The report is our result of reading and researching in one month. We hope it gives you clearly view about our project. Method of our report: We used many methods in this research and all of them can be taken in the university and the lecturers lesson, which were quite popular. The most important thing that we used is analysis the market. It was very important to understand about business environment of the firm. Our tools include 5 FORCES, PESTEL, and SWOT. In addition, we used many books, journal articles and material from lectures Learning Resource of Bedfordshire University to gain more knowledge and theories of strategic management. Moreover, we also used some sources on the internet to find news about LEGO and information that relevant to case study. All of them will supply in reference part in this report. LEGO company: General information about LEGO group: The company LEGO is one of the most famous corporations in the world when it engages towards childrens toys and has developed since 1932. The LEGO Group is headquartered in Billund, Denmark and it was owned by Kirk Kristiansen family. And it focuses on a key element in growth, development of childrens creativity via playing and learning by assembling LEGO brick. Nowadays, the company provides their products in more than 130 countries with approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. In 1949, their brick has taken an adventure. Over the years, the LEGO brick became more perfect and then it was adjusted a little bit in shape, design and color. Todays brick has 2,400 different types and have multitude of ways to combine them together so it is not only attractive, creative and fun for children but also becoming a challenge for adults. Current trends: Over the last 70 years, LEGO have had an evolution process, keeping step with the markets demands and the consumers desires. The traditional toys are the constructions brick, creative building by unlocking LEGO brick which were developed in 1958. In 1977, gears, gearbox and many kinds of stuffs were added for children to develop vehicles or other complex machines. After this era, LEGO had a big jump on developing their toys by combining between classic toys with robot technology, so children can able make for themselves an intelligent LEGO model. And now, The LEGO groups core activities are innovation, development, and marketing and sell play materials. According to Annual report of LEGO group (2011), the sales of traditional toys in USA have a little bit decrease. In Southern Europe, market sales decrease sharply while Asia and the rest of Europe also have higher growth rates. Generally, many people prefer modern products to traditional products. So the sales of traditional toys decreased in 2011 in total. The latest product line of LEGO group is LEGO Ninjago. It is a combination of classic toys and so-called spinners were established at the beginning of 2011, beyond expectation s and become the biggest product in company history. Besides, other LEGO toys are also on the best-selling list such as: LEGO City, LEGO Star Wars and so son. In sum, It is a highly satisfactory result reflecting a solid growth in profit. Growth in the North American market continued undiminished, and also in most European and Asian markets we were able to report double digit increases in sales, (2011) says Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, LEGO Group CEO. External analysis: PEST analysis: (P)olitical: In order to enter the market easily and without any problems, Lego has to be awarded of the political situation and other issues related to the political sector. There will be many advantages if the political environment changes the rule that relate to the Lego Companys operations. (E)conomic: The Toy educational industry is developing and can be seen to be economically stable in the past few years. The economy is improving well so the LEGO also improve their products to gain the best for their customers. The business not only improves economic of the domestic market but also the external market in all over the world. For example, the US market has big opportunities to LEGO and other toy companies. (S)ocial: LEGO Company is trying to develop and launch the products to the market and make sure that the community and public will accept their products. The company also wants their services are in good relationship with many kind of customers in some factors of the society. (T)echnological: This is one important force in the Toy industry. In order to have new innovations and good product, LEGO Company also has and improving new technologies, also this is the way to compete with many other strong competitors in the market. LEGO Company makes sure they are updated to what happening in case to adjust the changes. (L)egal: In order not to lose the customers welfare and the company name, LEGO Company doesnt want to risk by breaking the laws in local or international markets. Then, all LEGO companies are making sure that they follow all the rules and laws of the market where their transactions are operating in. (E)nvironmental: Lego company is trying to make their products that they sell are proven to cause minimal problems to the environment. The company also introduced some strategies that aim to decline pollutants and create a good environment. The company also invested a huge amount of money in waste system to protect the environment near companys factories. SWOT analysis: ( Opportunity and Threat): (O)pportunities: Many new types of materials and factors such as: movies and films play an important role to improve Lego toys. For example: Toys can base on famous movies in the world such as Star War, the Avengers, Spiderman and so on. LEGO main markets are Europe and USA, however the company has chance to open in many new market all over the world, for example Asia, South America and also some countries in Africa. (T)hreats: Nowadays, modern technologies are improving and developing very fast, some children are likely prefer watching TVs or playing computer games with colorful and imaginative scene rather than play traditional toys like LEGO bricks. The substitutes of modern technologies in toy industries are very strong and will affect the company business. Some countries are very poor, and then almost people cannot handle and will not spend too much money to buy a toy. For example: some countries in Africa 5 FORCES analysis: Threat of new entrants: + Strong and large distribution network required. If the company does not have a strong distribution networks enough, they will have to pay a lot of money to transport and move their product around, and in some cases their product will not get to the end customers or the stores. + High Capital: In order to enter the market, there are the requirements for substantial high level of investment. LEGO The Company has to spend a lot of money in order to compete when they come to the market in the first time. + The Brand name of the LEGO Company is very important, this is one way to compete when the company is entering the market, then other competitors in the market will also have to improve the brand value in order to compete effectively. + Advanced technologies: This is one of the barriers that bring many difficulties to new entrants and competitors when they come into the market. All technologies have to be developed, and then the company will have opportunities to compete with others in the market. + Geographic factor: Existing competitors already have good place and location to allocate their factory and stores within the market. This is really a challenge for new comers and entrants, they will have a competitive disadvantage and they will have to compete with each other to have a really good place to have their store, department or factory in order to run the business and compete. Threat of substitutes: + The pressures will very high, Substitutes come from the entire toy industry. Substitutes are everything, such as computer games or traditional toys, even outdoors sports. Children will get bored very fast, so they switch to substitute. + A lower quality product will be the reason why customers dont like to switch from LEGO to another product. Level of rivalry: + LEGO Company occupies a strong position in the large Toy industries with a few rivals. The company has a strong brand loyalty and brand name among customers; the company also provides high quality of product and charges it in premium price. Lego also has advantages with parents because parents will allow their children play with traditional toy instead of spend their childrens playtime with video games or watching TVs. Power of buyers: + The pressure of the customers is very high, with switching cost between alternative traditional toys and other substitutes such as computer games or TVs. + The Toy products will be very important to customers, if it is in good quality and acceptable price such as LEGO toys, the customer will be loyal to the company and willing to spend money. Power of suppliers: + Most of the LEGO products are making from plastic, then there will be a diverse distribution, the company will not have to base on one supplier. http://www.oxbridgewriters.com/essays/estate-management/lego-strategic-analysis.php Internal analysis: Lego have a quite large in toy market share in this industry. For example, in UK, it made up 6.2 per cent (2001) and making its the third largest toy organization in Britain. The company has enough strength to continue increase sale revenue in next period. Organization of LEGO has a long history and many different kinds of toy. Moreover, LEGO toys are suitable with children and bring education meaning. In addition, the business have good website which are colorful, clearly, attractive, and helpful for customers when they have arrived. LEGO products are always new and popular material offers to improve their toys. Especially, the company is often focus on famous characters or superheroes in films and comic books such as Star War, Spider man, Pirate of the Caribbean, ninja, or Sorted activity programs by ages. This strategic becoming very successful to target children, it makes their products is more attractive with their customers. However, LEGO was focus on children, but they realized adults had created their big users who spent more money on their product than children. In fact, the price of LEGO is not cheap, therefore they need the satisfied of presents who pay money for their child toys. Then, they started connecting them; improve the relative with them and becoming successful by this plan. Following Jake McKee (formally  Legos Global Community Relations Specialist) said about strong social media strategy what made the high successful of LEGO Company nowadays. He suggests three incredibly simple points in this strategy: Look beyond your target customers Support existing fans Find what works and replicate LEGOs strategic is trying to open their market in all over the work. The company wants to more increase number of sale in the United States because they realize there are potential growth opportunities in this market. In addition, Eastern Europe and Asia are also two places where the market growing very rapidly; so LEGO want to make more revenue from here. Moreover, LEGO organization is want to open and expand more activities that direct to customer kids and their presents, to help more close and understand what their litter customers want. They realize the important of understanding customers because their target customers are children with variable ages, who easy to attractive and persuade; but also easy to change their mind when they see other toys that new, beautiful or maybe colorful than their own toys. On the other hand, LEGO are improving online strategy. They built new website with attractive design, colorful for children; developing online stores, and online activities, for example children online games. Company is  facing: LEGO Faces Increasing Competition Although of the LEGO Companys successes, analysts realized that the companys environment would change, and in the past 15 years it has some challenges due to: Increasing of the Digital World: growth in electronic games, digital toys and much software make competition harder Faster Child Development: Nowadays children grow up faster, it make the global market for construction toys is restricted because of their changing play patterns. Fashion Trends in the Toy Industry: fashions of toys go out and in more rapidly and sometime a few products can make or break annual turnover of the company. Dependence on Famous Global Mega-Brands: In response to fashion trends, toy manufacturers design offerings based on a concept or story (e.g., Star Wars) and several companies offer all toys related to the similar concept (Harry Potter, Spiderman). Downturns in countrys economies can lead to a reduction in sales of LEGO products. The reaction of Lego Company to these changes is combining innovation with market adaptation. They released new digital toys (e.g., LEGO MINDSTORMSà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢, LEGO SPYBOTICSà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢). It created virtual communities to support users and cross-sell to them. They divide their business into each unit, including LEGO Interactive (computer-based play materials) and LEGO Direct (catalogue sales). They concentrated expanded into life-style products, opened new theme parks (in the U.S., UK, and Germany), and cooperated with other famous global brands such as Lucas Films, Disney, Microsoft, and Warner Brothers to develop new product concepts. Compare and contrast with main competitor : Using Porters strategies framework, we can see that Mega Bloks is a cost leader because they have increased profits through reducing cost by using different quality of materials to make their products, while Lego uses a much higher quality resources to make toys, This act is a reason why Lego cost of products much higher than Mega Bloks, It lead to Mega Bloks gains more market share and take many profits. By researching, Mega Bloks had found new segmentation, which now is number one seller in the preschool market. In the past, products of Lego are focused on narrow scope because the target customer mainly from 7 to 12 years old. By changing, now Lego more focuses on differentiation on a broad scope by targeting more than one market. Lego needs to concentrate in long term innovative products, this way still take its competitive advantage in the market as being the creator of toys that help develop new skills and learning. Like the first edition, Lego bricks make children more creative thinking and imagination. It was critical for the management team to identify where to expand Legos product channels and business operations, in order to develop a competitive strategy to continue the organizations financial success and dominance in the building toy market in the future Solutions: After face with many problems in market, we think Lego should have clear strategy: Strategy with social communication online: Having a strong community is very important for Lego company so Lego company should research more initiatives, both offline and online, to increase react with children and their parent. Children like Lego toys however their parent are person who will pay for all of this. While children can pay $70 a years for Lego, adults may spend more than $900 per years. So how to persuade and make them reliable our product also a task for Lego. Use an online database for parents where they can react with other family and its make a community of parents who appreciate the value of creative, endless ideas, or how to learning fun and effective. In there (web, forum, site) Lego can provide information, knowledge how to develop childrens creative, imagine through their game by professors and analyst. Passionate parents may be provided much useful content or lesson from this and it make Lego become regular topic in family. Strategy with investment and capital: To make different with another competitors and reliable for customer also demonstrate Legos reputation, Lego can open restaurant with the main theme is Lego world. In some countries, there are few opportunities for kids and their parent approach Lego game, so restaurant can be the way to introduce products also make more profits from other services, not only from sale toys. Restaurant provides new trend, innovation point for customers. Brands value, creative are sent to potential customer by a chain of systems connect with restaurants unique such as new concept theme, dining area, kids play area , rooms with decoration are toys style, small museum à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦All of those are new experience for customers who are fans or not. To attractive more attention and reduce competitive, Lego can use cuckoo strategy. The strategy of the cuckoo allows developing its business by pressing it on that of an iconic leader. Many company used this strategy before. Lego should corporate with famous brands in game industry like Nintendo, EA to expand range of customer and market share and may be Lego can receive capital from this industry to also introduce their products in Legos markets. Invest more in line of products. Always change style, concept to suitable with customer in each country. Find cheaper material to produce and avoid bad effect to environment. Research how to combine new technology and toys. Conclusion: In conclusion, the purpose of this report is showing and identifying problems and issues that LEGO Company is facing and recommending some strategic options in order to solve the problems and issues. Throughout this report, lecturers will see how we analyzing LEGO company by using many methods to research both internal and external environment of the company. It is very important to understand deeply about the market and its environments that the company is operating in. Tools and methods we used to analyze are FIVE FORCES of Porter, PEST and SWOT. We also learnt more about how to research and find out problem or difficulties that company have to face. Then research more about strategic of this industry to help the solve the problems and improve the business. Besides, we also used many references from articles, journals and materials from Learning Resource of Bedfordshire University to achieve more knowledge of Strategic Management. In addition, we also took some resources and materi als on the Internet to have some more news around LEGO company and their operations all over the world, all of those information will be related and support our report. Executive Summary: Lego is one of the famous toys company with many years of history in the world. Over the last 70 years, LEGO have had an evolution process, keeping step with the markets demands and the consumers desires. The traditional toys are the constructions brick, creative building by unlocking LEGO brick which were developed in 1958. Based on research we can summary some analysis point below: Lego Company need strong and large distribution network required to reduce a lot of money need to pay, beside that high capital and brand name of Lego also important to competitive in the market, advanced technologies and geographic factor are 2 keys element to successful in global market The pressure will very high in threat of substitutes because of a lower quality product are increased very much. In addition development of many toys company, this act makes market more complex. However, Level of rivalry of Lego very high. Company occupies a strong position in the large Toy industries with strong brand loyalty and brand name among customers. Most of the LEGO products are making from plastic, then there will be a diverse distribution, the company will not have to base on one supplier. Beside that many new types of materials are produce; this make Lego has more choices to reduce cost of productivity. Nowadays, modern technologies are improving and developing very fast, some children are likely prefer watching TVs or playing computer games with colorful and imaginative scene rather than play traditional toys like LEGO bricks. Another threat is some countries are very poor, and then almost people cannot handle and will not spend too much money to buy a toy. We also have some challenges for Lego such as: Increasing of the Digital World Faster Child Development Fashion Trends in the Toy Industry Dependence on Famous Global Mega-Brands Downturns in countrys economies can lead to a reduction in sales of LEGO products. Strong competitor like Mega Bloks So how to deal with this problem, we have strategies for LEGO Company: Strategy with social communication online : Having a strong community is very important for Lego company so Lego company should research more initiatives, both offline and online, to increase react with children and their parent. Use an online database for parents where they can react with other family and its make a community of parents who appreciate the value of creative, endless ideas, or how to learning fun and effective. Strategy with investment and capital : To make different with another competitors and reliable for customer also demonstrate Legos reputation, Lego can open restaurant with the main theme is Lego world. Invest more in line of products. Always change style, concept to suitable with customer in each country. Find cheaper material to produce and avoid bad effect to environment. Research how to combine new technology and toys. To attractive more attention and reduce competitive, Lego can use cuckoo strategy. The strategy of the cuckoo allows developing its business by pressing it on that of an iconic leader

Feminist Issues in The Handmaids Tale Essay -- Feminism Feminist Wome

Feminist Issues in The Handmaid's Tale      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Handmaids Tale, by Margaret Atwood, can be classified as a distopic novel. The Republic of Gilead in The Handmaids Tale is characteristic of a distopia in that it is not intended as a prediction of the future of our society, but rather as a commentary on current social trends. Atwood has created this nation by isolating what she might consider the disturbing aspects of two diametrically opposed factions of our society (namely the religious right and radical feminism) as a theory as to what would happen if these ideals were taken to an extreme. Because she points out similarities in the thoughts and actions of the extreme religious right and certain parts of the feminist movement, some critics have labeled The Handmaid's Tale as anti-feminist. I would like to discuss the specific parts of the novel that lead to this opinion, and then discuss whether I believe this novel was intended as or can be seen as an attack on feminism.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The issue of pornography is one of the most significant in the Republic of Gilead. Pornography has become illegal and is used as a generalized illustration of the many perceived societal problems before the theocracy gained power. While receiving training at the hands of the Aunts the handmaids are repeatedly shown violent pornographic videos to demonstrate how much better off women are in this time as opposed to previously. Offred's experience of watching these videos is intertwined with her memories of her mother and her participation in anti-pornography riots and magazine burnings.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   By placing these instances side by side Atwood shows that pornography is a point at which two extremes of society (here feminist and religio... ...feminism. By taking this view we can see that Offred could be considered a feminist and that people involved in women's right's movements over changing times may come to represent completely different values than they did originally (which explains the occasional overlap of feminist and religious movements, assuming that religious ideals are static). Freedom from subjugation is at the heart of all feminist movements, regardless of what form they take.    References Leavitt, JW, Brought to Bed: Childbearing in America, 1750-1950. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1986. Moore, Pamela, Atwood, Margaret: The Handmaid's Tale. Boston, MS: Houghton Mifflin, 1986. Wertz RW, Wertz DC, Lying-In: A History of Childbirth in America. New York, NY: Free Press, 1977. www.wsu.edu:8000/~brains/science_fiction/handmaid.html www.med.upenn.edu   

Media/Medical and Science Ethics

The rapid advancement in technology made humans so fearsome about the dangers it brings them—most especially of the danger that will cause their extinction. It is not mere computer or cellular phone that advances. Today, genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics (GNR) make that constant fear to knock on the feet of human race more frequent than ever. Dr. Ralph Merkle, in his essay entitled Nanotechnology: It’s a Small, Small, Small, Small World (2000), pleasantly drew a future that is happily gains from the various benefits of nanotechnology in almost all areas from which life greatly depends. He said that nanotechnology is being pushed through towards an objective. That is to â€Å"make almost every manufactured product faster, lighter, stronger, smarter, safer, and cleaner.† He even enumerated benefits that nanotechnology may provide humanity especially on transportation, atom computers, military applications, solar energy, and medical uses. Dr. Merkle has laid down very good arguments. He will surely make good impressions to whoever reads his essay. Dr. Merkle, who became scientific in describing when and in what manner humans will use nanotechnology, is indeed an ethical engineer and inventor. He became solely after to whatever nanotechnology can give humans to improve their everyday living. But all the benefits he said in his essay are also the weaknesses of his arguments and he was not able to draw more sentences to defend them. Though Dr. Merkle missed to include in his essay the dangers at par with the benefits of nanotechnology, Dr. Bill Joy provided them is his essay. Dr. Joy, in his essay The Future Doesn’t Need Us (2000), materialized and defined that fear. In lieu with the fast-paced technological advancement, he overshadowed a future dominated either by elites that uses GNR as a machinery to eliminate the masses or by egoistic individuals who work hard to aim vested interests or by the robots themselves with the powerful wit as much as that of a human being. Dr. Joy constructed such plausible reality in a logical structure, discussing how and what did technological advancements play in human community for the past centuries. Indeed, he showed how dangers go in parallel with the advantages and benefits of technology. He, however, like any other individual, has all the reason to be fearsome about the technological advancements vis-à  -vis GNR. History tells the world how did the arrangement of atoms forming a huge atomic bomb become so destructive—removes geographical and topographical places and killed thousands of people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is just one of the grave mass deaths and destructions that shook the whole world until now. History also tells us how technological advancements on medicines permitted the rise of new medicines aimed to secure individuals from the former medicines. It is, Dr. Joy points out, in the hands of the â€Å"wrong people† that such potential dangers are permitted to happen and may do â€Å"mishandling, abuse, and accidents† to recur over and over again. Each of the two essays could be said as complement to the other; however, this accompaniment discloses another significant issue: Which of the two needs more importance, the duties or consequences of technology? The abovementioned question now asks further question, who among the two makes a better point? Dr. Merkle is pushing through the duties technology provides humans—the duty of improving everyday life through manufactured products that were equipped with more efficiency, while Dr. Joy stresses on the consequences that make technology endanger life—the pros and the cons of technology and how it contributes to human’s extinction in the near future. For instance, the medical application of nanotechnology will lead to a better medical treatment of illness, Dr. Merkle said. The assurance, however, that it will lead to a better, and perhaps safer, treatment is blurry. The creation of anti-antibiotics will testify to such inadequacy. Another example would be the military uses of nanotechnology to create better and more effective weapons. A country which has strong weapons to use during wars will, of course, able to claim the victory. Nanotechnology will be of great help in creating such weapons. However, if the opportunity to use nanotechnology– to arrange atoms in a way creating weapons—were given and used for mass destructions by, to what Dr. Joy pertains, â€Å"bad people,† we will witness on this part the disadvantage. Whether the phenomenon is an unseen/unpredicted occurrence or a willfully-done event, the raison d'à ªtre remains: to every duty of technology there is a parallel consequence. Too bad that when the consequence is bad and/or destructive, it cost us million lives and million-worth assets to vanished in split seconds, or it costs our daily living to be gradually ruined everyday. Whether duty or consequence deserves more regard, some would still think if we are to coexist with technology harmoniously or end up victims of it, like Dr. Joy thought of. But still, like what Dr. Merkle tells us, â€Å"a lot would depend on when we start.† As technology and knowledge rapidly changes, man has become wiser than ever. But the question to both Dr. Merkle and Dr. Joy also bothers even ordinary individuals, where are we headed as human race given that we are placed in now highly technological world? Dr. Joy tells that many things greatly depends on humans—that is if we will still be driven by societal transformation, progress, and well-being. If not, â€Å"progress will be somewhat bittersweet.† True enough, humans coexists in a one world. To clearly define the duties technology should and at the same time eliminating, or the least expense, minimizing, the dangers it may give us, molecular manufacturing (as part of the nanotechnology) â€Å"requires the coordinated efforts of many people in many years,† as what Dr. Merkle said. At the end of the day, the challenge to us is more likely to be as particular as how to protect life; improving it is perhaps a higher task that awaits us.      

Contemporary issues of surrogacy and birthing technologies Essay

An Estimated 10-15 per cent of Australian couples who want to start a family are infertile, similarly same-sex couples are unable to reproduce and this has led to the use of surrogacy and birthing technologies to provide a means to overcome such barriers in having children. The changing views of society along with the corresponding reforms of the law in relation to these procedures have been main contributors to contemporary issues within the area being addressed, however the effectiveness of legal and non-legal measures in place is questionable. With diverse perspectives and interpretations on what is a just outcome for all parties involved, it is difficult to evaluate such a controversial matter. Issues relevant today in relation to surrogacy include the exploitation of women overseas through commercial surrogacy as well as the presumption of parentage and parentage orders, even with the approval of legal measures dealing with such problems, conflict of views indicate many people do not agree and feel there is a great need for reform. Birthing technologies hold many interrelated issues of concerns with difficulties in defining legal parents in relation to birth certificates as well as the roles and responsibilities of gametes donors. The amendment of previous laws in addition with the introduction of new ones aim to better reflect the changing values of society with non-governmental organisations and the media attempting to assist in informing the public and creating awareness with current issues. Surrogacy is a difficult issue, especially in Australia where the law varies from state to state. Many infertile Australian couples seek the services of surrogate mothers overseas in the United States, India and other countries, spending up to $80,000 and risking breaking the law. The current issue of concern in this, is not only the exploitation of poor women but also the Australians being overcharged by these clinics as well as the legal status and protection of children caught up in the booming overseas surrogacy trade. Currently under Australian law, altruistic surrogacy is acceptable however commercial surrogacy is banned in all states, excluding the Northern Territory with no current legislation targeting surrogacy. The Surrogacy Act 2010 was designed to accommodate altruistic surrogacy moving against  commercial surrogacy, while setting out safeguards to achieve the best interest of the child and attempt to uphold all surrogacy agreements. This can be seen as an effort to sufficiently reflect societal views within the law as a 1993 survey revealed community attitudes towards commercial surrogacy had a 30% approval rate whereas 59% disapproved. Since its commencement in March 2011 overseas commercial surrogacy arrangements have also been made illegal in NSW, Queensland and the ACT, with the NSW Parliament introducing extraterritorial provisions that extend the offence to outside the jurisdiction for residents, who could possibly face fines of up to $100,000 or up to 2 years prison if caught. This legal measure however is questionable in its ability to achieve the best outcome for the child, being a punishable offence and enabling the imprisonment of parents or subjecting them to a financial hardship could only worsen the situation for a child involved. Moreover this amendment to the bill was willfully added with little review of its consequences, motivated to reduce the exploitation of poor women in developing countries, it fails to ensure the best interest of the child and that justice is achieved. Failure of existing law has led to a further need for reform as the criminalization of overseas arrangements is difficult to police and unenforceable which has created issues of compliance and non-compliance. Currently an estimated 40 per cent of India’s $2.5 billion commercial surrogacy industry is made up of Australian clientele, however complaints about the overcharging nature of these clinics are increasing. This is problematic as there are few protections for intended parents in India with its unregulated industry as well as the legal restrictions in Australia, creating difficulty in the ability to monitor such arrangements. Chief Federal Court Magistrate, John Pascoe issued a statement in December proposing Australia should legalise commercial surrogacy to ensure that agreements are properly regulated to protect children, surrogates and commissioning parents. This statement attempts to introduce a different approach similar to that of California, which relies on executed contracts between intended parents and the surrogate, defining the legal status of the child as well as the responsibilities of all parties. NSW Greens MP David  Shoebridge commented on the present act saying â€Å"What began as a progressive legislation giving equal rights to all children has ended up as regressive legislation which will force parents underground and create uncertainty around many children’s parenting†. Pascoe’s proposal would allow for better control of the issue, avoiding the criminalisation of parents and the need for intending parents acting outside of the law, which has been the result of pr esent legislation. Surrogacy Australia is a non-governmental organisation and advocacy group, which is currently addressing the concern for intended parents involved in overseas arrangements who are being cheated and taken advantage of by clinics. Increasing complaints to the organisation as well as research collected, suggests Australians are being overcharged by up to 40 per cent and more so being billed for unnecessary medical procedures on surrogates. Surrogacy Australia is a support organisation assisting those who require help and access to information, with a present focus on warning and creating awareness of this concern, for those in the future considering the surrogacy option. Research by the group also suggests the ineffectiveness of the existing laws, revealing the ban on commercial surrogacy, deters only 7 per cent of considering parents and this places a certain pressure on the government to reconsider its prohibition. A further issue arising from the inconsistent laws targeting surrogacy in Australia is the presumption of parentage, whether in cases of genetic or gestational surrogacy. Under the previous legislation, with cases governed by the Status of Children Act 1996, a child’s legal parents were its birth mother and her husband or de facto partner, irrespective to whether birthing technologies were used. For intending parents this caused a number of legal problems as they could be subject to tumultuous legal obstacles when applying for full parental rights and therefore led to the commencement of the Surrogacy Act on the 1st of March 2011. The reformed Surrogacy Act 2010 (NSW) has recognised certain altruistic surrogacy arrangements and created a process for transferring legal parentage from the surrogate mother to the intended parents in a more time-effective manner. The eligibility requirements and preconditions to  obtain a parentage order are also contained in this act and this is for purposes of creating a more structured system, considering the best interest of the children and also to regulate arrangements, as they cannot be enforced, except by the birth mother. The stated aim of surrogacy laws in Australia has been and remains to be the prevention of exploitation of vulnerable adults, to avoid the commercialization of reproduction and to protect the best interests of children. However children born overseas through surrogacy are not the legal children of their Australian intended parents; none of the state inquiries directly address the problem of parentage for children when adults travel out of the jurisdiction and or pay a birth mother to carry the pregnancy and this creates another challenge for parentage orders. Intending parents cannot lodge an application for a transfer of parentage until they return to Australia and currently the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 excludes commercial surrogacy. This is a contradiction in the attempt to protect the child, with courts torn between two irreconcilable concepts, finding on one hand parliaments intention to prevent commercial surrogacy with a clear policy across the country, and on the other the courts duty to mitigate such policy by consideration of the child’s welfare, who may end up a stateless orphan if orders are not made. Recent changes to commercial surrogacy in India however, may be of assista nce in preventing such situations from occurring. The Indian government has issued a directive that only couples who have been married for more than two years can enter into commercial surrogacy arrangements, and only if it is legal in their home country and this will have a huge impact in making Australian law unavoidable. Moreover on parentage orders, the increasingly complex web of eligibility rules developed through successive reforms to safeguard the interest of children, appear to also be inadequate with the family formation behaviours of those involved in surrogacy. This was demonstrated in the case of AP v RD (2011) NSW, which took place prior to the commencement of the Surrogacy Act on The 1st of March, with its provisions and requirements remaining, AP applied for a parentage order under the Surrogacy Act in the Supreme Court. This parentage order could only be made with all the preconditions met and in this instance the court was satisfied that the arrangement was made prior  to conception, however declined to make the parentage order due to the provision of a counselor’s report and evidence confirming the parties consent was not to a satisfactory level . This shows the courts ability to protect and ensure the rights of the surrogate mother and her partner, as consent is a dominant requirement in surrogacy arrangements. Although indicates an ineffectiveness in achieving justice for intending parents, demanding an excessive amount of evidence to allow parentage orders. With the intention to create better circumstances and gain parentage rights regulated by the law, these precautions can be seen to make it somewhat difficult for arrangements to be followed through as seen in this particular case. The reform inquiries were commenced by hastily arranged parliamentary inquires, where only six to nine months was allocated for the entire hearing and reporting process. This implies the new laws in Australia are based not on evidence of the actual behaviour or needs of families formed through surrogacy to date, but rather on inaccurate ideas and assumptions about the threats and problems with surrogacy and how they can be ‘improved’. The Federal Attorney-General, Phillip Ruddock, is calling on the states to bring â€Å"some uniformity† to the widely different laws covering surrogacy and this is an indication for a further need to reform. Prior to reforms made to the Family Law Act 1975, a birth mother that used an artificial conception procedure to conceive, in a same-sex relationship, was unable to legally identify her female partner as a parent, whereas in the case of heterosexual relationships, the law allowed the husband or male partner to be recognised as a parent. Before 2008 children born to lesbian couples only had one legal parent, and it was not uncommon for a sperm donor’s name to be recorded in recognition of their biological relationship. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission found this to be inequality in the law and an issue of discrimination. The fact that the Family Law Act was designed to accommodate and emphasise the heterosexual family also caused difficulty for judicial officers to resolve cases and disputes within same-sex families. In response to this, the NSW government in 2008 amended the Status of Children Act 1996 (NSW) and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 (NSW) with the Miscellaneous Acts Amendment (Same Sex Relationships) Act 2008 (NSW). This created a parenting presumption in favour of women of same-sex relationships, through recognising the female co-parent of children born through birthing technologies as well as allowing both mothers to be listed on the child’s birth certificate. Accomplishing the best interest of the child who no longer will only have one legal parent, the act also successfully reflects the change in community attitudes as negative societal outlooks on homosexuality has decreased with recent years presenting a more accepting nature. A birth certificate creates a rebuttable presumption of parentage however a presumption arising out of use of a fertilization procedure is certain. The case of AA v Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages and BB (2011) focused on a man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple, considering himself to a father to the child conceived while forming a loving relationship with her and contributing thousands in support payments. This was the first case of its kind after the amendments made to the law in 2008, attempting to forcibly remove BBs name from the child’s birth certificate in a court battle that succeeded. Bringing forward the notion of legal parents versus biological parents creates the potential for complex issues surrounding children born to same-sex couples. Sperm donors have no legal parental status even if they’re on a birth certificate, with partners of lesbian mothers gaining that right automatically with the introduction of the act in 2008. Judge Walmsley, involved in the case, suggested allowing for three parents to be on the birth certificate as he recognised its powerful symbolism. However it is not possible under NSW law to have three parents with legal responsibilities, had he had sexual intercourse with the mother or married her, he would have gained this legal status. This essentially highlights the inadequacy of laws dealing with multi-parent families. Janet Loughman the Principal solicitor of Women’s Legal Services NSW stated, â€Å"Contrary to popular belief birth certificates do not make you a parent, they are just proof, like a drivers license. They record legal parentage,  not genetic parentage. It is the legal parents who need that proof as they go about the daily business of raising the child†. Even so, donors do not often involve themselves in the life of their child and prior to 2010; the Status of Children Act 1996 (NSW) stated that the identity of donors would be concealed allowing them to maintain their right to privacy. However this resulted in concerns arising for the children, as they were likely to suffer from lack of information about their genetic heritage with identity crisis or medical and social dilemmas impacting them negatively. The Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2007 commenced on the 1st of January 2010, with it, introducing the National ART Donor Registry. The Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation 2010 specifies by law what information about both the donor and donor conceived child must be provided and recorded in the registry, which is then accessible by the child at the age of 18. Significantly the rights of the child are being addressed, although this is not concurrent with those of the donor, with the legislation only allowing their access to the child’s date of birth and sex. The commencement of this legislation has provoked a wide range of responses and this in itself speaks for its effectiveness in the view of the community. The opposition health spokeswoman, Jillian Skinner commented on these changes to the bill saying, â€Å"Proposed new laws to assist donor children to know who their fathers are, have been a long time coming†. Suggesting the NSW government had a delayed response to this current problem for children, as drafts for the legislation were introduced to parliament in 2003 implies an unproductive approach in assisting children in these situations. This has now resulted in confusion towards the stance of the law in prioritising the best interest of the child or upholding privacy rights of donors prior to the enactment of the regulation. In the past 10 years, fertility clinics have only allowed donations from men who are willing to provide their identity for recording and this has resulted in the number of sperm donations decreasing by more than half between 1998 and 2008 according to the President of the Fertility Society of Australia, Peter Illingworth. Through the establishment of the ART Donor  Registry it can then be assumed this will lead to an even further decline in the number of sperm donations in Australia. Peter Illingworth also commented on the exposure of donor identities, which may occur due to the introduction of the legal clause giving the government power to demand access to this information. â€Å"We can’t release the information at all without the donor’s consent and it is as simple as that†¦ consent over-rides everything†, emphasising the importance of their right to privacy and the fact that this legislation was not enforceable when they chose to donate sperm plays int o the injustice that will occur if the government chooses to enable such actions. Regardless of this Jillian Skinner feels â€Å"The rights of children will now be enshrined in the legislation so that any child born through ART will, after they turn 18, be able to know the details of their biological parents†. Being the most important focus this understanding emphasises the fact that the current regulation, does provide a legal certainty that the best interest of the child is ensured. The media can be accredited through its release of numerous articles keeping track of the process and government introductions of new laws and regulations. Ensuring the community is aware and informed of changes in legislation that may impact on previous sperm donors or those considering donating, will help avoid any confusion or injustice occurring in the future. The commonwealth government of Australia cannot universally legislate for reproductive technology practice. Therefore each state and territory is responsible for designing and implementing separate legislation. This has resulted in laws and practices that differ from state to state. Advances in birth technology have created a great need for law reform as they challenge the long-standing moral and legal conceptions of ‘family’ and ‘parent’. It is difficult to compare surrogacy with other reproductive methods, as the surrogate mother is undergoing all the emotional, mental and physical feelings of pregnancy, not simply donating an ovum and therefore laws in place protecting surrogate mothers in Australia and overseas are important, however are useless when they compromise the rights of intended parents and the children. The current debate, taking place in Australia reflects the rapidly changing legal landscape and societal attitudes in relation to surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology. The wide divergence in  Australian and international laws are indicative of the range of opinions about surrogacy and assisted reproductive technologies and of the challenges lawmakers face in staying up to date with these new technologies. Thus far the attempt to satisfy and cater for all contemporary issues within the area can be furthered to remove inconsistencies between state and federal, as well as clarify legal rights of all parties involved. However laws relating to these issues have been slow to pass with the government and courts constrained by existing legislation, suggesting the legal and non-legal measures are more so ineffective than they have been efficient.