Relationship between Institutionalized Racism and Marxism

Relationship between Institutionalized Racism and Marxism Abstract The theory of institutional racism is frequently used in the field of sociology to explain any type of system of inequity that is based on race. The theory explains how race is used to differentiate society, particularly the institutions of government, private enterprises and institutions of higher learning, such as universities and colleges.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Relationship between Institutionalized Racism and Marxism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More An activist group led by Stokely Carmichael, referred to as Black Power, first used institutional racism in 1960s. A report investigating the death of a black citizen defined institutional racism as the collective failure of an organization, particularly governmental organizations, to offer adequate and specialized services to citizens mainly because of their skin color, civilization and ethnic background. Since then, sociologists have used the theo ry to establish the effects of ethnicity in society. For instance, material and social resources are distributed based on racial lines, something that hinders the fulfillment of goals and objectives among a section of the population. In 1990s, the theory took a new shape when blacks and other minority groups pressurized the government to exercise fairness in the labor market. Currently, the theory is used to explain racial injustices in organizations, given the fact that institutions have failed to stem out racism. This paper will attempt to analyze how institutional racism affects an individual’s opportunities in life. This means that the theory influences other subjects, particularly economics. The paper will go ahead to explain how the theory is used in the field of political economy. Introduction Institutional racism can be defined as the degree of difference to access of goods, services and opportunities in society. In the American society, the practice is common in the institutions of government, making it hard to rectify the mess. The situation is worsened by the acts of conformers and newcomers since they do not think of other strategies that would help stem out the vice. In the American society, the government cannot claim to fight racism, given the fact that a single or identified perpetrator cannot be traced. Therefore, it could be concluded that racism has turned out to be a collective action of the American society. Scholars observe that three forms of racism exist, including personally mediated racism, internalized racism and institutionalized racism. Mediated racism consists of specific social perspectives that are inborn, which facilitate racially prejudiced acts (Dupre 56). This would include differences in abilities, motives and aspirations. It would also incorporate discrimination whereby an individual develops certain forms of actions towards others, considering that they belong to different races.Advertising Looking for essa y on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Racism has led to the emergence of some antisocial acts such as stereotyping, which is defined as commission and omission social acts. This may perhaps entail disregard, distrust, depreciation and dehumanization of other individuals in society who do not belong to one’s race. Internalized racism is a scenario whereby members of the inferior race accept their position in society, as people with low social statuses. This acceptance is characterized by negative acuities concerning their own capabilities, fundamental values characterized by low confidence, and little respect of other members belonging to his or her race. Such form of racism amounts to stratification based on skin complexion, self-devaluation, such as cultural insults, monikers, negative response towards own culture, acquiescence, defenselessness and despondency. For school going children, they might end up drop ping out of school while other members of black race might end up boycotting political processes such as voting (Naughton 68). Another section of society consisting of inferior races may end up engaging in health-risk practices such as rape, drug abuse and kidnapping. This paper will analyze how all these affect economic prosperity of the nation. Institutionalized Racism in the US Institutional racism stems from importunate pessimistic stereotypes, which would as well as affect interpersonal relations in social interactions. It is proved beyond doubt that social labeling amounts to racial residential segregation, meaning those believed to be from superior races would have better chances of living comfortable lives that is, in well-established residential areas. State authorities usually neglect those perceived to be from inferior races meaning they might find themselves living in remote areas with appalling conditions. Minority races are associated with social evils such as rape, ki dnapping, mugging and drug trafficking. Furthermore, policy formulators and implementers are usually influenced by race in their process of policymaking. White Americans have a tendency to believe that blacks and Latinos are lazy individuals, who are less intelligent preferring to engage in shortcuts, such as robbery, instead of working hard to achieve their dreams. This makes it hard for Whites to associate well with both blacks and Latinos. Institutional racism is different from racial bigotry because institutional racism is supported by the government through formulation of policies that infringe on the rights of minority races.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Relationship between Institutionalized Racism and Marxism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the US, the government has propagated the formation of policies that would always subjugate the minority races economically and politically. For example, the gover nment has always exercised racial discrimination, particularly in the education sector. The public school budgets have always been discriminatory because the government has been assigning quality teachers to schools perceived to be with many white students. The education policy recommends that schools should be allocated resources based on property values. It is expected that rich neighborhoods would have many whites hence schools in such areas are allocated quality teachers and enough resources. This would have an implication to the economic lives of individuals because students from such public schools are expected to excel. Those from poor neighborhoods are given inferior services, including undertrained teachers and few resources. This would definitely lead to dismal performance among students from minority races. Such students will end up in mid-level colleges that would only guarantee them low paying jobs, as compared to their white counterparts who join prestigious universiti es, offering well paying courses in the labor market. Institutionalized racism borrows heavily from the system theory, which argues racism stems from a number of mutual cumulative aspects. Systems theory does not subscribe to the postulations of reductionists but instead believes in the interactions among institutions, which leads to widespread structural racism. From the systems theory, it is true that social class theory, as formulated by scholars such as Karl Marx and Max Weber, is directly related to racism. In the US, property appraisal system was formulated in 1930s and was incorporated into the government’s lending system. The system was purely based on race meaning members from the minority race could not access loans using the same techniques as the whites, who were the majority. This could be interpreted to mean only whites were eligible to apply for governmental loans since their properties were rated highly, as compared to those of blacks and Latinos.Advertising Looking for essay on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Relationship between Institutionalized Racism and Marx’s Economic Theory In economics, financial aspects are usually taught in isolation meaning that politics is to be separated from economics. However, economic life cannot be understood without understanding social and political forces that affect the lives of the minority races in the US and other parts of the world. Economists could not predict the 1997 economic meltdown in the Asian continent because they failed to incorporate other theories from other disciplines in their investigations. The 2007 global cash crunch was not exceptional because economists did not predict it at all. For economists, they believed capitalism would go on uninterrupted. In fact, economists gave wrong results in 1998 since they predicted that financial growth of the Asian continent would expand. Economists misled investors to believe that their stocks would generate more profits, which would be used to expand their business elsewhere. In fact, m any people lost their capital through defective economic predictions. Economists utilize mathematical figures and statistics to predict the performance of financial systems. Mostly, they would use graphs and charts to show how economic aspects would be realized. Marx however formulated a theory that would predict economic performance from a human perspective. Marx analyzed the relationships between people and classes. In this regard, he interpreted the economy to mean a struggle between races, classes and age groups. The economy, according to Marx, is full of contradictions and uncertainties meaning that it is subject to constant changes. In this paper, the theory of Marx shows that economics is not about goods, prices or supply and demand but it is all about people, as well as their social relationships. It is established that a section of society owns wealth while the other section owns nothing, apart from their labor (Hallman 44). The owners of the means of production are referre d to as the bourgeoisies while the working class is the proletariat. The owners of the means of production utilize their power to subjugate and dominate the inferior class, which is the minority race in the US. Life is all about production and distribution of scarce goods and resources. From the above analysis, it is true that economics should be understood to mean political and social struggles in life. Marx started his analysis of economic aspects by first appreciating the existence of classical economic theories. Adams Smith and David Ricardo supported new industrialization and the banking system. However, they did not appreciate the fact that the two sectors were dominated by a single race. Other races were incorporated into the two sectors as underdogs. They came up with a labor theory of value suggesting that the working class was an important element in any production system. The two economics scholars observed that the value of a product would be determined by the amount of time spent in producing it. In this regard, all commodities would be sold based on the labor applied in producing it. Smith never explained some of the important concepts because he only suggested that the commodity or a service would be sold based on its production costs. However, he did not explain the relationship between the worker and the capitalist. Ricardo came up with another concept that affected the lives of workers in the 19th century. He argued that workers were spending little time in producing goods and services hence their wages had to decline (Lockheed 19). Marx capitalized on the findings of Ricardo to claim that workers were being robbed of their skills. Following widespread complaints concerning exploitation, economists rejected the labor theory of value, given the fact that it exposed the secrets of the bourgeoisie to the proletariat. Marx conducted a private and extensive research to define the concept ‘labor’. Marx came up with a perfect answer to issues to do with socio-economic and political economy. Just like other commodities, labor possesses a use-value meaning various types of labor exist. Some of the forms of labor are important and rigorous training is needed to achieve such forms while others are simple forms of labor, which is readily available in the labor market. In the US, the readily available labor is more than the skilled labor (Chappell 78). The minority races possess this cheap labor meaning they cannot achieve their dreams through employment. Marx noted that theoretical aspects and the amount of labor applied in the production process influence the exchange of values of commodities. Marx believed that wages are not determined by the expertise of an individual or the skills applied in the manufacture of the product. Marx differed with other scholars such as Smith and Ricardo because he believed that use value and exchange value could only be applied in the context of labor. According to this scholar, what ma ttered most was the ability to work not the skills possessed by an individual. He referred to this as the labor power. Social classes determine the labor power. Those belonging to the white race have higher labor power as compared to peasants belonging to the inferior races, such as African, Asian and Latino. Race, Ethnicity, Discrimination and Stereotyping Racial and ethnical discrimination and stereotypes are some of the issues that affect economic capabilities of individuals. In this section, we are going to address the issues of race and ethnicity and define and analyze the components of discrimination and stereotyping. Contemporary discrimination practices have their roots in the history of development of the United States and closely related to American anti-Semitism that was part of the late-nineteenth century racism emigrant from all parts of the world, as well as African Americans, Native Americans and Mexicans. The discriminatory treatment included closing the doors to imm igration from Europe and Mexicans, between 1882 and 1927. Contemporary discriminatory practices are similar for African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans; they include denying equal access to opportunities, certain housing areas or membership in social organizations. In the contemporary society, there is still a room for hidden forms of racism against ethnic groups mentioned earlier. The situation has changed since the early 1990s, when blatant racism was more common for them. Barriers to Implementation of Policies Various interpretations of the terms â€Å"race† and â€Å"ethnicity† can lead to the types of discrimination identified in the first section. Thus, â€Å"race† is often associated with physical specifications such as skin color, and â€Å"ethnicity is defined through the background, historical or cultural aspects of an individual. Historically, people created various forms of prejudices about race and ethnicity. Thus, the prejudice that African Americans are â€Å"low-intelligent† race leads to the institutional and employment discrimination. There are two models (social and biological), according to which race and ethnicity are defined. Both of them state that there are dominant and subjective race. However, they have considerable gaps. For example, from the biological perspective, all people have the same construction and functions of the body and it is ridiculous to distribute people into different races. From the social perspective, all people are members of the society they live in and live according to the same social rules, thus, this gap in the sociological model cannot properly reflect race and ethnic identity. There are voluntary and involuntary models used to promote discrimination. Separatism model suggests that racial groups should be segregated from the rest of society. Assimilation model is associated with the issue of racial supremacy. For example, it defines what races are allowed to as similate with the dominant culture, and what races will not fit social and political standards of the dominant race. Pluralistic model define a racial group as a distinguished one and, according to Naughton (14), â€Å"groups will not dissolve into an anodyne melting pot, but individuals will have considerable leeway in deciding how and how much group identity matters to their lives†. Thus, racial profiling contributes to personal, spiritual, political, and procedural conflicts identified in the previous chapter. For example, as it has already been mentioned, the PATRIOT Act’s provisions are discriminatory and leave many individuals especially aliens vulnerable to harassment and torture (Ewing 12). The race of the individual becomes â€Å"an identification† used to attribute him/her to terrorists. Moreover, federal agencies have right to freeze bank accounts of persons perceived as terrorist, it a form of racial discrimination as well. This analysis can be helpf ul in addressing the issue racism in the United States. It is necessary to consider the diverse nature of employees within organizations, as well as people in communities, schools and other organizations. Racial prejudices should not be issues for classifying people in â€Å"bad† and â€Å"good† ones. In addition, international relations should be improved with diplomacy being preferred instead of military confrontations based on racial diversity. Race and ethnic identity of a person is often a reason for social discrimination. The PATRIOT Act should find different approaches to international relations so that prevent racial and ethnic discrimination. Conclusion The problem of Ethnicity and race is a big challenge to the policymakers both in private and public organizations. It is an issue that has threatened to divide the country into various subcultures because every ethnic group and race identifies itself with certain distinct features. The government officials have found it hard to come up with strategies that are all encompassing mainly because of the continued resistance from some groups feeling that their interests are well catered in the plans. In general, the government is trying but more effort has to be put for there to be equality and equity in distribution of both material and non-material resources. It can be concluded that ethnic and racial groupings cannot be eliminated in the country but instead it can be engaged to function positively. The policymakers should conduct an extensive research to identify how racial groupings have affected the development of the country. Upon the findings, the government should design policies based on the findings. The issue of extending favors to racial members at workplaces should be discouraged and severe measures ought to be formulated to deal with the problem. Chappell, Marissa. The war on welfare: family, poverty, and politics in modern America. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2010. Print. Dupre, Ben. Fifty Philosophy Ideas You Really Need to Know, New York: Quercus, 2007. Print. Ewing, Doyle. The USA Patriot Act Reader, New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2005. Print. Hallman, Max. Traversing Philosophical Boundaries, New York: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2007. Print. Lockheed, Marlaine. Gender and social exclusion. Paris: Education Policy series publishers, 2010. Print. Naughton, John. From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg. What You Really Need to Know about the Internet, New York: Quercus, 2012. Print.

Neo-Classical Art and Romanticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Neo-Classical Art and Romanticism - Essay Example It started as a response to the more flamboyant Rocco Art and its objective was to recuperate the Greco-Roman cultural values. Europe, Western France and England embodied this art style to express idealism, patriotism, ethics and civic virtue. The popularity of neoclassicism was caused by several happenings of that time such as the reputation of Rome which was growing increasingly and the discovery of old Roman cities by archeologists. This art form depicted and accentuated rationality and tradition. The first of these were Jacque-Louis David whose work the ‘Oath of the Horatii’ depicted three mythological warriors swearingloyalty to the Roman Republic (David & Dorothy, 87). Some other famous neoclassical pieces include ‘The Death of Marat’ and ‘Napoleon Crossing the Alps’. Romanticism was a reaction against the time of Enlightenment in the eighteenth century. Contrary to the neoclassical style, this style of art recognized humans as more emotional, complex and not that rational in a new civilization that was more materialistic, scientific and generally more urban. The famous artist from this period Jean-Jacques Rousseau laid down the basis of Romanticism by liberating the human emotions and showing a freedom of expression and thus challenging the rationality of the Enlightenment. Another popular artist who lead the Romantic Revolution was Eugene Delacroix. His masterpiece ‘Liberty Leading the People’ represented the French Revolution and the heroic splendor along with the ghastly destruction and chaos that was spread. In this generation of the Romantic artists who came after Napoleon and lived under Louis XVIII and Charles X were happy with the ‘petit revolution’ and regretted to have not seen the real grandeur and glory of t imes under Napoleon. Under Louis XVIII artists were free to paint whatever they wished and were unbound from Napoleon control. Theodore Gericault showed the incompetence of the new government with his

Drosophila Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Drosophila - Essay Example Mutant flies, with fault in any of numerous thousand genes are presented, and the entire genome has lately been sequenced. The drosophila egg is about mm long. It takes about one day after fertilisation for the embryo to grow and emerge into a worm-like larva. The larva eats and develops constantly, moulting one day, two days, and four days after hatching (first, second and third instars). After two days as a third instar larva, it moults one more time to form a motionless pupa. Over the next four days, the body is totally altered to give the adult winged form, which then hatches from the pupal case and is prolific within about 12 hours. Drosophila is so admired; it would be nearly unfeasible to list the number of effects that are being done with it. Initially, it was mainly used in genetics, for example to learn that genes were associated to proteins and to learn the rules of genetic legacy. More lately, it is used mainly in developmental biology, stare to see how a multifaceted organism arises from a comparatively simple fertilised egg. Embryonic development is where most of the concentration is determined, but there is also a great deal of attention in how a variety of adult formation develop in the pupa, mainly purposeful on the development of the complex eye, but also on the wings, legs and other organs. Mutation analysis Mutation analysis is a pre-eminent investigation too in modern biology. In broad, new mutations are produced and monitor to recognize genes that influence a biological trait of attention. The goal is to recognize the fundamental genes domineering trait manifestation and the role of these genes in the progression. Mutations in D. melanogaster have recognized genes that can raise longevity. In all cases, identical DNA (P elements) was used to encourage the mutations. When a P constituent moves and reinserts itself in another place in the genome it can cause a mutation. As disparate to transgenic over expression, all of the mutations illustrated reduce the expression of, or completely inactivate, precise genes. The first D. melanogaster longevity-extension mutation was in the Methuselah (mth) gene (Lin et al. 1998). The mth alteration results in incomplete loss of function of the gene and widen longevity by 35 percent. The mth gene generates a protein, most probably a G protein--coupled receptor, that fit in to a family of proteins related with a range of functions in higher organisms together with endocrinology, neurology, and reaction to external incentive. The recognized G protein product of the mth gene is not analogous to any of the G proteins of known function in other organisms, and thus the precise function of the mth gene is not compulsory by comparison with other organisms. There is evidence that the mth gene plays a role in regulation of neuromuscular neurotransmitter function (Song et al. 2001). Again, neuromuscular function might be particularly significant for aging and longevity. The mt/i mutation resulted in improved stress resistance (Lin et al. 1998), and the mutant flies were roughly one-third larger than controls. Mutant flies were significantly more resistant to malnourishment,

To Kill a Mockingbird Research Allusion Essay Example for Free

To Kill a Mockingbird Research Allusion Essay In To Kill a Mockingbird allusions are used throughout the book. An allusion is a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication. In chapter 11 Scout uses the allusion, â€Å"this looks like you,† to try to cheer Jem up. It was referring to Dixie Hall. He was an American Football player. He played college football as a halfback at the University of Alabama from 1932 to 1934 and with the Washington Redskins of the NFL in 1937. Howell was also the head football coach at Arizona State Teachers College, from 1938 to 1941 and at the University of Idaho from 1947 to 1950, compiling a career coaching record of 36–35–5 in American college football. Dixie Howell was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1970. Howell was one of the best punters. Howell also had an uncredited role in the movie, The Adventures of Frank Merriwell as a football player. Scout’s allusion to Dixie Howell is to comfort Jem since he loves football. By telling him that Dixie Howell looks like him, she is telling him that he comes first and takes precedence over Dixie Howell who was a famous NFL football player and coach. This also shows Scouts deep understanding of Jem. although saying This looks like you may seem like a meaningless compliment, Scout knows that because of his love for football and how he is associated with it, this would be a major honor for him to have anything similar to one of the greatest football players at that time. That’s how the allusion is used in the book. Howell, Dixie. Dixie Howell ENotes.com Reference. Enotes.com. Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2012. .

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Scott Sorrell 12/11/13 Soc 221 – Social Problems Dusty Myers Homosexuality and Society George Bernard Shaw said the following when discussing how marriage brings two people together "under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions. They are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition continuously until death do them part." Marriage is hard, and it is something people have to work at. However, society in recent years has begun to strongly dictate who can, and who cannot be joined in matrimony. Gay marriage has become the hot topic. It is a fact that humans have been engaging in homosexuality activity for centuries. China, India, Japan, and all over Europe homosexuality has been occurring. It was not until Christianity and organized religion did it become as big of an issue. It has become a more pressing issue now because people have begun fighting for equal rights. Society will ask â€Å"should homosexual marriage be legalized?†, however, the contradictory outlook is â€Å"why should society be able to dictate what two adults choose to do?† If two people decide to participate in traditional marriage, no one cares. No one calls the papers. No one protests. No one commits hate crimes. It is assumed that they are two people who are in love, and feel warmth for one another. How could those feeling ever be wrong? But when this case is changed to a nontraditional marriage between a man and another man, or a woman and another woman, a large portion of society has many objections. They feel that it is their responsibility to make their objections heard. They decided then that they care. They call the papers, they protest and they commit hate crime... .... However, the argument has been made that two people in a homosexual relationship should not have children, because it will corrupt those kids. But, there has been many studies done that show kids that grow up in same sex households have no adverse effects. They are loved the same. They do just as well in school. They contribute to society just the same. The studies that show otherwise, have all been proven to have flawed results, or have been adjusted to support a specific viewpoint. Love is love, which is all children need to grow. For me, as an openly bisexual male, and someone who was very religious at one point in my life, I feel that I have a unique perspective. I feel that it is my right as a human being to love who I choose to love. It is my right as a human being to pursue a sexual relationship with who I want. No other person should have a say in that.

Legalizing Infant Euthanasia

Since the evolution of man, infants have been born with severe illnesses. These infants may be able to survive due to advancing technologies, but are left with possible and probable defects. Many infants will die even though they are being treated because they are not equipped to sustain life. These circumstances have led to the debatable issue of infant euthanasia, or mercy killing, to allow these babies an end to their suffering, and die peacefully. While many people feel that euthanasia is murder, infant euthanasia should be legalized to spare terminally ill newborns of long, painful deaths, and to spare them of possible life-long disabilities. Euthanasia is said to be morally wrong by pro-life groups. They point out that infant's may not be suffering while they are dying. They also emphasize that advances in pain management make it possible to relieve all or almost all pain. These people say that children should be saved at all costs, no matter how great the disability may be. They accentuate that the infants may be saved due to advancing technology, and that there are also therapy treatments for their possible disabilities. However, in considering whether or not to treat a newborn, the main goal should be to spare infants of long, painful deaths. Most experts believe that the primary answer to this issue is to follow what's in the child's best interests. If his mental and physical handicaps are overwhelming and it would be inhumane to prolong his life, then treatment should be withheld or withdrawn. After all, saving an infant for a life of suffering is hardly a humane and loving act. An infant was born with a skin condition similar to third-degree burns over almost all of its body for which there was no cure. The baby's mother was young, unwed, and indigent. Providing basic nursing care caused tearing away of the skin. The infant could not be fed orally because of blistering in the mouth and throat. Any movement of the infant seemed to cause it pain. Even with intensive care its life expectancy, at most, was believed to be days. It would have been reasonable, merciful, and justifiable to have shortened the baby's dying by an intended direct action chosen by the parent and the neonatologists. In cases relevantly like this, it is not immoral or morally wrong to intend and effect a merciful end to a life that, all things considered, will be meaningless to the one who lives it and an unwarranted burden for others to support. Among the women who work in the Stanford intensive care nursery, several said that if they were to have an extremely premature baby, they would not want it to be treated aggressively. One woman said that if she knew what was about to happen she would stay away from a hospital with a sophisticated intensive care unit. Others say they would make sure they were under the care of a doctor who would not press the extremes on survival. Many parents would make a similar choice but are not given the opportunity. It has been called a violation of God's commandment not to kill. â€Å"†¦ in effect, the demand that physicians fight death at all costs is a demand that they play God. It is a demand that they conquer nature, thereby declaring themselves more powerful than God's order. † Perhaps the ideal of conquest will be replaced by the ideal of living in agreement with nature. The most benign technology works in harmony with natural causes rather than intruding on them. The â€Å"Baby Doe† rule is a list of guidelines stating that a baby should be treated aggressively with very few exceptions. These exceptions to the rule are when â€Å"the infant is chronically and irreversibly comatose†, when the treatment would merely prolong dying, not be effective in ameliorating or correcting all of the infant's life-threatening conditions, or otherwise be futile in terms of the survival of the infant†, and when â€Å"treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the survival of the infant and the treatment itself under such circumstances would be inhumane†¦ This policy rather loudly states that parents and professionals may not consider the salvageable infant's life prospects no matter how harmful they may appear. A graphic illustration of the potential harm in the treatment of a handicapped infant is provided by Robert and Peggy Stinson's account of their son Andrew who was born at a gestational age of 24 1/2 weeks and a weight of 800 grams. He was placed on a respirator against his parents' wishes and without their consent, and remained dependent on the respirator for five months, until he was finally permitted to die. The seemingly endless list of Andrew's afflictions, almost all of which were iatrogenic, reveals how disastrous this hospitalization was. Baby Andrew was, in effect saved by the respirator to die five ling, painful, and expensive months later of the respirator's side effects. â€Å"†¦ the physicians who treated him violated an ancient and honored Hippocratic principle of professional ethics,`Primum non nocere', First do no harm. As shown in the examples above, infants that are treated aggressively will die more slowly and painfully than if they were allowed a quick and peaceful death. By using aggressive treatment on severely ill infants, many are â€Å"saved† to live with life-long disabilities. To demand that physicians use intensive care technology beyond the point when it is likely to assist with a patient's problems, as the Baby Doe regulations require, is to demand that they violate their professional commitment to do no harm. To argue that infants must be treated aggressively, no matter how great their disabilities, is to insist that the nursery become a torture chamber and that infants unequipped to live be deprived of their natural right to die. Helen Harrison, author of â€Å"The Premature Baby Book: a Parent's Guide to Coping and Caring in the First Years†, wrote about how families are at the mercy of an accelerating life-support technology and of their physicians' personal philosophies and motives concerning its use. She wrote after interviewing numerous parents and physicians in heartbreaking situations of delivery-room and nursery crises, â€Å"I sympathize with physicians' concerns when parents request that there be no heroic measures. However, I sympathize infinitely more with families forced to live with the consequences of decisions made by others. Above all, I sympathize with infants saved for a lifetime of suffering. † The decisions involving the care of hopelessly ill and disabled newborns should be left to the traditional processes, to parents and physicians who do the best they can under difficult circumstances. B. D. Cohen, author of â€Å"Hard Choices† wrote, â€Å"Until such time as society is willing to pay the bill for truly humane institutions of twenty-four-hour home care for all such infants, to offer than death or living death, shouldn't these decisions be left to those who will have to live with them? † There is a disease called Spina Bifida which affects between six thousand and eleven thousand newborns in the United States each year. The children are alive but require urgent surgery to prevent their handicap to intensify and bring about death. Paralysis, bladder and bowel incontinence, hydrocephalus or water on the brain are all part of the child's future. Severe mental retardation, requiring total custodial care, is the likely fate of 10% of the 15% of the children. Some 10% of the children will die prior to reaching the first grade, in spite of aggressive medical care. These infants, incapable of making their own decisions, deserve to be spared the pain and suffering of such severe diseases and illnesses. Although some claim that euthanasia is the killing of a human, infant euthanasia should be legalized to spare severely ill babies of drawn-out, excruciating deaths, and to spare them of the possible defects from their illnesses. Infants continue to be born with such disabling illnesses daily. Many parents are left burdened throughout their lifetimes. They may not be prepared to provide the round-the-clock treatment that is needed. New York State should bring about peace by legalizing euthanasia, and end the suffering for all people intimately involved in situations described previously.

Myocardial Infarction, Angina and Acute Pulmonary Oedema Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Acute pulmonary oedema is caused by high hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries as a result of increased pulmonary pressure in the veins. Myocardial infarction causes accumulation of fluids in the alveoli of the lungs. These fluids have low concentrations of proteins and can also be found in the interstitium. There is always frequent complaint of cough as well as pink, frothy sputum. Moreover, there may be hoarseness caused by recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy from mitral stenosis and perhaps chest pain that alerts physicians to the likeliness of acute myocardial infarction. In addition, there may be other clinical manifestations such as tachycardia, orthopnea, distended jugular veins, noisy wet respirations as well as cough with frothy, blood-tinged sputum. Generally, APO may be caused by congestive heart failure, severe arrhythmias, hypertensive crisis and fluid overload due to kidney failure. Management of APO patients may either be medically or through lifestyle management. It is required that the immediate treatment should improve oxygenation and reduce pulmonary congestion knowing that treatment of APO is regarded as an emergency. Another important issue is to identify and correct precipitating aspects and given conditions in order to reduce recurrence (Ford, 2010). We will write a custom essay sample on Myocardial Infarction, Angina and Acute Pulmonary Oedema or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page