IntroductionAmerican consumers can easily get familiar with the names of prescription drugs and their uses from TV commercials. Unlike many other countries, advertising prescription drugs is legal in the US. Until the mid-1980s, drug companies gave information about prescription drugs only to doctors and pharmacists (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2015).
Wildlife ExtinctionWhat is the biggest problem facing humans in the world? When asked this question, many might come up with various issues including crimes, terrorism, or discrimination. Indeed, these forms of violence among humans are some of the hardest problems. However, humans’ violence against other creatures must be seriously considered; eradicating other species by excessively hunting them for profit or ruining their habitats is unacceptable. The severe result of this violence, extinction, eventually affects humans in a deadly way. Thus, the most urgent problem facing humankind is wildlife extinction caused by humans. A primatologist, Jane Goodall, states “people should consider that they are not only affecting individual species, but entire ecosystems and biodiversity, since ecosystems deliver the greatest benefits to communities?for both humans and animals” (Goodall). As Goodall argues, all living things are connected by the food chain; the extinction of one species can lead ared to decades ago. Karin Brulliard, previously a deputy foreign editor of Washington Post, presents that “poachers in Africa have slaughtered nearly 6,000 rhinos since 2008, and some conservationists warn that the 25,000 or so remaining wild rhinos could be gone within a decade” (Brulliard). Today, there is only one male northern white rhinoceros left in the world. If this 43-year-old rhino fails to mate, white rhinos will become extinct. Rhinoceroses may only exist in books or videos in the near future, just like the dodo, Tasmanian tigers and great auks, which were hunted to extinction.Another reason for wildlife extinction is loss of habitats. People cut down trees to build an interstate highway, burn the forest to expand a city, and drain tideland marsh for building construction. Those human activities result in massive wildlife extinctions. Tracy V. Wilson, the editorial director of HowStuffWorks.com, asserts that “habitat loss is the No.1 contributor to extinction”, citing “Dr. habitats? must always be contained in the construction-related law clauses when the construction site is within a certain distance from wildlife habitats. A science policy analyst in Ecological Society of America, Terrence Houston, announces that “habitat corridors allow movement between isolated populations, promoting increased genetic diversity. They provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and help with juvenile dispersal and seasonal migrations” (Houston). For the advantages that Houston presented above, making habitat corridors must become mandatory when constructing roads and buildings. That way, wild animals will be able to move around safely and the ecological balance of the forest will be well-kept, too.People also need to use substitutes for valuable animal body parts. For instance, faux fur is used to replace mink fur, and a rhino horn can be made with a 3-D printer. A science journalist, Stephen Luntz, introduces a bioengineer wildlife products company called Pemeople. Currently, human beings have the most powerful tools on Earth: advanced brain ability and modern technology. They should be used for co-existence with other creatures, rather than for killing them or stealing their habitats. This is because humankind is a part of a whole ecosystem, interacting with other species. Saving wildlife is saving the future of human beings.Works CitedBrulliard, Karin. "One man's wild idea for saving rhinos: Airlifting them to Australia." Washington Post 6 Apr. 2016. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 9 June 2016.Goodall, Jane. "Hunting Contributes to Animal Species Extinction." Hunting. Ed. Dawn Laney. Detroit: Green haven Press, 2008. Opposing View points. Rpt. from "Wildlife Trade Is Driving Species to Extinction." International Herald Tribune 13 Oct. 2004. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 9 June 2016.Houston, Terence. “Habitat corridors help preserve wildlife in the midst of human society.” Esa.org. Ecological Society of America, 2 Aug 2011. We 인간과 동물들 모두의 공동체에 큰 혜택을 전달하기 때문이다." (Goodall 인용) 라고 말한다. Goodall이 주장하듯, 모든 살아있는 것들은 먹이사슬로 연결되어 있다. 한 종의 멸종은 그 종의 포식자의 멸종으로 또한 이어진다. 종국에는 이 연쇄효과가 아마도 인류를 위협할 수 있다. 이것은 한 나라만의 우려가 아니라, 우리 사회가 처리해야만 할 온 세계의 심각한 문제이다.과도한 사냥은 야생동물 멸종의 가장 주요한 이유 중 하나이다. 동물들은 금전적인 이익을 위해 지나치게 사냥을 당한다. 밀렵꾼들은 상아, 뿔, 모피, 가죽 등의 값비싼 신체 부위를 얻기 위해 야생동물을 죽인다. 하버드 인터내셔널 리뷰의 전속작가인 Kevin Xie는 지적했다. “상아는 킬로 그램당 수천 달러(미국 달러 기준)에 팔 수 있다. 코뿔소 뿔은 소위 의학적 가치와, 전통적인 단검이나 다른 사치품들을 만드는 용도 때문에 아시아 시장에서 매우 많은 수요가 있다.” (Xie 인용) 비극인 점은, 코뿔소 뿔은 대부분 각질 (머리카락과 손톱의 주요 성분) 으로 구성되어 있기 때문에 의약품으로 사용될 수 없다. 인간의 무지함과 돈에 대한 욕심 때문에, 야생 동물들은 과도하게 사냥당하고 떼죽음을 당한다. 그 결과, 몇 십 년 전에 비해 코뿔소의 개체 수는 급격하게 감소했다. 워싱턴 포스트의 전임 해외 부편집장이었던 Karin Brulliard는 발표했다. "아프리카의 밀렵꾼들은 2008년도부터 약 6천 마리의 코뿔소들을 대량 학살했고, 환경 보호 활동가들은 남아 있는 약 2만 5천 마리의 야생 코뿔소가 10년 안에 사라질 것을 경고한다.“ (Brulliard 인용) 오늘날, 전 세계에서 수컷 흰코뿔소는 단 한 마리뿐이다. 만약 이 43세의 코뿔소가 짝짓기에 실패하면, 흰 코뿔소는 멸종할 것이다. 가까운 미래에 흰코뿔소는 오직 책이나 동영상으로만 존재할지 모른다. 인간에게 사냥되어 멸종된 도도새, 태즈메이니안 주머니늑대, 큰바다오리처럼 말이다.야생동물 멸종의 또 다른 이유는 서식지의 상실이다.이다.
Changing Gradesbased on the Article onhttps://www.ele.uri.edu/faculty/vetter/Making-the-Grade/wiesen.htmlAt times, some students have unquestioning belief that they can get a better grade simply by begging for it. The author of this article “Making the Grade,” Kurt Wiesenfeld, a physicist who teaches at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, presents that giving appropriate grades for actual accomplishment is a major concern in his department. Wiesenfeld also argues that students should not try to beg for a better grade, because getting a good grade instead of the grade they deserve is harmful for society: After getting a degree with those false grades and getting a job, the graduates’ ignorance and lack of expertise can cause consequences of errors such as a light tower collapse and people’s death. Therefore, students should accept the honest result of their effort, because it is necessary to help preserve a minimum standard of quality that our society needs to maintain safety and integrity.I also believe that the final grades should not be changed for students’ personal reasons: such as losing scholarship, flunking out. If a professor changes a certain student’s grade because of his begging, it is not fair for students who originally deserves good grades. Also if the begging works as a grade changer, it will ruin the students’ future. There might be some exceptions such as the student's close family member's death. Otherwise, students must follow the scoring criteria and policies.First off, it is unfair to students who gave a great effort to get a good grade. Some students spend plenty of time on studying, truly working hard. That is the right way to get their goal: getting a good grade. If one can get a good grade by just talking with their professor within 30 minutes, who would want to study hard for a good result? If it really happens in real life, good students will be discouraged, and lose their motivation to study. They are the ones who will be dedicated to society with their healthy attitudes to work, so their passion should be protected and encouraged.In addition, if a professor changes grades because of begging, the action will eventually ruin the students’ future. It will give the students a wrong idea that they can manipulate the results as they want, even though their behavior is against the rule. If a person does not hesitate to break rules, no companies will want to hire him or her. People want to work with sincere, honest people. The professor’s wrong leniency will be a bad influence in his entire life.Thus, it is wrong to change students’ final grades; it is unfair and rude to other students; it gives a wrong idea to the students and ruins their future. “You harvest what you planted,” this is a well-known proverb in Korea. It shows that one is responsible for all the consequences of his or her actions. You get what paid for, this rule should be obeyed for a safe, honest society.Works CitedKurt Wiesenfeld “Making the Grade,”https://www.ele.uri.edu/faculty/vetter/Making-the-Grade/wiesen.html June 17, 1996.Web. 23 June 2016
Charlie Gard is an 11-month-old-baby living in the UK, who has a mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome and brain damage. He was born healthy but a severe genetic condition soon left him blind, deaf and unable to breathe (Docoupil, 2017). His doctors found no treatments for him. The British court and the European Court of Human Rights both ruled that the hospital can withdraw life support, while Charlie’s parents oppose the decision.
Should we avoid using antibiotics?Based on the Article on http://www.naturalnews.com/042769_antibiotics_healthy_gut_flora_immune_system.htmlAntibiotics are used to treat diseases that are caused by bacteria. They kill bacteria, or slow down the growth of bacteria. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have saved a lot of patients’ lives.However, some people refuse to use antibiotics for their kids and themselves. They think antibiotics are very harmful because using antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance, and weaken our bodies’ immune systems. It is true that antibiotics are often overprescribed. Physicians occasionally bump into patients who insist on getting antibiotics for viral diseases such as a common cold. Many patients and physicians don’t have much time to wait and watch if the common cold’s symptom is caused by virus or bacteria, or if it develops to a middle ear infection. Therefore, antibiotic resistance became a serious problem. “Consumption of carbapenems, a major class of last-line antibiotics, increased significantly from 2007 to 2010” (Nordqvist).Despite all the problems of antibiotics, refusing to use antibiotics is not the best way to keep healthy. For the best results from antibiotics, “Do not skip doses, finish the entire doses as planned by the physician, and do not save any antibiotics for the next time” (CDC). Antibiotics are safe when exactly following the directions.Works CitedChristian Nordqvist,“Antibiotics: All You Need To Know”,http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278.php, Jan 2, 2017. Web. 2 July 2017Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Antibiotics Aren’t Always the Answer” https://www.cdc.gov/features/getsmart/index.html, Nov 14, 2016. Web. 2 July 2017
The article states that more children today than in 2016 are exposed to used syringes in public areas, such as playgrounds, beaches, and baseball diamonds. The author points out that needle exchange programs worsen the situation. A needle exchange program gives new needles to drug users as an exchange of used ones. The purpose is to prevent the spread of bloodborne diseases by reusing dirty needles or sharing them with others.
CNBC News has reported that an online retailer, Amazon, is considering ways to enter the prescription drug market. Amazon recently started selling prescription drugs on its Japanese site, a possible indicator of its broader ambitions.If Amazon begins to sell prescription drugs in the US, consumers can get medications conveniently, and spend less money. However, there might be more medication-related errors due to lack of communication among patients and pharmacists.
Is It a Good Idea for Students to Use Smart drugs?Based on the Article on http://theconversation.com/growing-use-of-smart-drugs-by-students-could-be-a-recipe-for-disaster-77587During exam seasons, many college students consume a lot of coffee or energy drinks to stay awake and focused. Some others take smart drugs, also known as nootropics. Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), Ritalin (methylphenidate) are often used as smart drugs, despite the possibility of abuse and addiction. In addition, there are many kinds of nootropic supplements that can be sold without prescriptions.Smart drugs are believed to enhance the memory. Also, “Some ‘smart drugs’ make you more alert for longer” (Cotton), so that students get more time and concentration to study. However, those drugs can cause serious side effects. For example, “Methylphenidates affect the central nervous system, they can cause fast, pounding or uneven heartbeat, restlessness and aggression” (Bergen).I think students’ taking smart drugs to prepare for exams is a bad idea, and a dangerous choice. They can get addicted to those drugs, and may have to spend a long time and a lot of effort to overcome their addiction. Nootropic supplements are not scheduled, but they are still unsafe, especially when students overdose on them because they affect the brain, the most complicated and sensitive organ, in a human body. It will be difficult to fix the problem when unexpected side effects occur to the brain. Students must not risk their future for a short-term goal.Works CitedSimon Cotton, "Growing use of smart drugs by students could be a recipe for disaster," http://theconversation.com, May. 30, 2017. Web. 24 June 2017Teresa Bergen, “‘Smart Drugs’ on Campus: Too Easy to Get & Abuse,”http://medshadow.org/features/smart-drugs-abuse, Oct 23, 2014. Web. 24 June 2017
Millions of animals are used to test the safety of medications before released to the market. Animal testing is inhumane, but considered unavoidable for decades. However, as scientific technology develops and substitutable methods, such as studying human cell cultures in a petri dish, are invented, the necessity of animal testing is doubted by some people. Opponents of animal testing say, “In vitro (in glass) testing, such as studying cell cultures in a petri dish
Is a Chickenpox Party Better Than a Vaccine for Children?In 2017, the 'chickenpox party' was introduced in news articles in South Korea. Some parents who refuse to let their kids get vaccines throw a party to 'share' the chickenpox virus among kids. The parents believe that the chickenpox party is the best way for their children to 'naturally' gain immunity to the virus. Media criticized those parents for deliberately making children ill, but still, the necessity of vaccination remains controversial.People often freak out when reading the lists of vaccinations' ingredients. These lists include some scary-sounding heavy metals such as thimerosal (a compound containing mercury). The parents think that obtaining natural immunity is better than getting a vaccination because vaccines have harmful chemicals. "Aluminum is used in some vaccines, and excess aluminum in human bodies can cause neurological harm"(Sears). Furthermore, "Formaldehyde, also found in some vaccines, is a carcinogen"(VaxTruth). It sounds quite unsafe. For these reasons, the parents don't think that the vaccine's effectiveness exceeds the risk of putting heavy metals into their children's bodies.However, other studies dispute the arguments above. "The ingredients in vaccines are safe in the amounts used. Ingredients, such as thimerosal, formaldehyde, and aluminum, can be harmful in large dosed but they are not used in harmful quantities in vaccines. Children are exposed to more aluminum in breast milk and infant formula than they are exposed to in vaccines."(Heyworth). People don't have to worry about heavy metal exposure through vaccination because only a little amount is used. Getting vaccines is safe enough, and is definitely much safer than getting a disease.Since the invention of the vaccination, many children's lives have been saved worldwide. For kids to have a better quality of life, I believe parents must choose vaccination instead of the chickenpox party. Although children gain immunity after they recover from the disease, chickenpox blisters can leave permanent scars on children's faces. That's something the children would never want to have. Also, the pain from the disease is difficult to deal with for anyone. No matter how good their intentions, parents have no right to give their children a painful illness and scars that can be prevented. For the sake of children, the chickenpox party must be stopped.Works CitedRobert W. Sears, "Vaccine FAQS: Aluminum Information from The Vaccine Book,"www.askdrsears.com (accessed June 11, 2014). Procon.org. Web.11 June 2017VaxTruth, "Vaccine Ingredients-A comprehensive Guide," www.vaxtruth.org. Aug. 15, 2011.Procon.org. Web.11 June 2017Kelly King Heyworth, "Vaccines: The Reality behind the Debate," www.parents.com (accessed June 9, 2014). Procon.org. Web.11 June 2017한글 번역: 아이들에게 백신보다 수두파티가 더 나은가?2017년, 한국에서 '수두파티'가 뉴스 기사로 소개되었다. 백신을 자녀들에게 맞추기 거부하는 부모들이 아이들 사이에 수두를 '나누기' 위해서 파티를 연다. 그 부모들은 수두파티가 아이들이 '자연스럽게' 바이러스에 대한 면역력을 얻게 되는 최고의 방법이라 믿는다. 언론은 아이들을 일부러 아프게 만드는 것에 대해 그들을 비판했지만, 여전히 백신의 필요성은 논란거리다.종종 사람들은 백신 재료의 목록들을 읽으며 겁을 먹는다. 이 목록들에는 티메로살(수은 포함 화합물) 같이, 무섭게 들리는 중금속이 포함되어 있다. 그 부모들은 백신에 해로운 화학물질이 들어 있으므로 자연적인 면역을 얻는 것이 예방접종보다 좋다고 생각한다. "어떤 백신에는 알루미늄이 사용되고, 체내의 과다한 알루미늄은 신경계에 해를 끼친다"(Sears의 주장 인용). 심지어, "몇몇 백신에서 발견되는 포름알데히드는 발암물질이다"(VaxTruth 인용). 이는 꽤 안전하지 않게 들린다. 이런 이유로, 그 부모들은 백신의 효능이 중금속을 아이들의 몸 안에 넣는 위험을 상회하지 않는다고 생각한다.그러나 다른 연구들이 이 주장을 반박한다. "백신에 사용된 재료의 양은 안전하다. 티메로살, 포름알데히드, 알루미늄은 많은 양을 사용했을 때 해롭지만, 백신에서는 해로운 양으로 사용되지 않는다. 어린이들은 백신보다는 모유나 분유에서 더 많은 양의 알루미늄에 노출된다.(Heyworth의 주장). 오직 적은 양만이 사용되기에, 사람들은 백신을 통한 중금속 노출을 걱정할 필요가 없다. 백신 접종은 충분히 안전하며, 질병에 걸리는 것보다는 분명히 훨씬 안전하다.