Blog 7

Open Vs. Closed adoption.

It was hard for me to choose a topic for the last paper so a friend suggested open Vs. closed adoption. When she was telling me about how she was in favor of closed adoption, I agreed with her. My dad and my aunt are both adopted in which they had limited information about their birth mothers and no contact with them either. I have ask my grandma (my dad's adopted mom) if she regretted anything about choosing closed adoption. She told me that she considers herself my dad's "real" mom and she thought my dad would not see it that way if it were open. Plus, back in 1960 when she adopted my dad, closed adoption was the only way of adoption through an agency.

So I decided to ask my dad how he felt about his adoption. He said that he still battles with thoughts of abandonment, rejection, and loss/grief of his "blood" relatives. He also told me he would not ever go looking for his birth mother because, as far as he's concern, his adopted mother is his only mother. Unfortunately for him that does not stop him from thinking about his birth mother and why she decided to give him up for adoption.

During my research to find evidence on how closed adoption is better than open, I discovered that most of those who are adopted have the same abandonment issues as my dad. The majority of these cases were closed adoptions and had not contact with their birth mother. The cases that were open had an overwhelming positive response on the birth mother, adopted mother, and the adoptee. Positive because the adoptee had contact with his or her birth mother. If at anytime the adoptee had questions about family and/or medical history or why he or she were given up for adoption, the adoptee could ask the birth mother directly. Thus decreasing and/or eliminating abandonment issues and since of loss.

With further research I want to focus my attention on the emotional status of adopted children and how open adoption is really the better choice. I want to further investigate how the adoptee feels about open Vs. closed adoption and the over all emotional effects from both. Studies how shown that adopted children go through more mental health counseling than non-adopted children. I want to know how many of those adopted children have closed or open adoption and what is the main reason they are seeking counseling?

Savannah Moore

Blog 7: The Organic

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The topic of my literature review will be based on an issue that has become very popular and controversial in the 20th and 21st century: organic foods versus pesticide/genetically modified foods. There have been (and still are) hot debates on whether foods should be wholly organic or continue being grown with pesticides, genetic modification and so on. Furthermore, many scientists and doctors argue whether organic foods are healthier and prevent more illnesses than treated and modified foods.

This topic intrigues me and I also am quite familiar with it as I try to eat healthy. The organic controversy has many implications, not only in the health of individuals but also of the nation as a whole. It also affects the economy, marketing, and many other issues.
I don't have all my research complete yet, but I have found a treasure of sources at the Mira Costa website link and I'm getting excited. So many books, articles and websites are arguing pro-organic or anti-organic. It will be interesting to see what I find....

Blog 7

Why is embryonic stem cell research an ethically debated topic if in the end it will help save lives?

This topic for my research paper is one I am aware of, but not too familiar with in regards to the exact details of it. Once again, since I have been a paramedic for 10 years, medical related issues is what really interests me. I have seen and dealt with many people who could be positively affected by the research generated by and use of stem cells.

So far I have utilized MiraCosta's online library resources to find scholarly sources and also the internet. There are many good sources because this is such a hot topic, especially since President Obama has within the year has loosened the restrictions on funding for stem cell research.

Basically the ethical argument against the use of stem cells is this: Stems cells are formed four to five days after a human egg is fertilized. This technically, well depending on who you are talking to, means that it is now a living person. These eggs are donated for research, and are not intended to produce a human. So after the stem cells are harvested the fertilized egg is destroyed. People compare this to abortion, others believe that their egg is a part of them and do not feel it should be used for research. If the pro's and con's are weighed, cons being what I just talked about, pros being medical breakthroughs which would not be possible otherwise, one would think that the end product benefits outweighs the beginning negative aspects. So that is basically what I will be arguing, that in order to make great advances for ALL, you must be willing to sacrifice a FEW.

Blog 6 - Yes We Can!!!

I have a hard time taking a position on issues without first knowing all of the facts. I would really like to write about a subject that would inform and motivate people to make change. One subject that I feel very comfortable about talking about is personal responsibility versus the government’s responsibility. I strongly believe that recently as a society, we have started to forget how strong individuals are, and have begun to rely on the government for too much. The government has spent so much money and resources “helping out” a minority of the population that the majority is now feeling the effects. I think I will be able to write an informative convincing paper on this subject, and intend to do in a manner that promotes change and instills self worth upon the reader.

Blog 6

Honestly, I have no idea what I want to write about for my position paper. I haven't put much thought into it. Totally my fault. I couldn't fine the online reading section on Blackboard, so any help as to how to get there will be greatly appreciated.
Sherifa

Hurricane Katrina Responses Blog

I chose Hurricane Katrina to do my response on, because this natural disaster shows what the real effects could be if something like this occurred where we live San Diego if a Hurricane were to make landfall off the coast of California. I could not believe the after effects of this storm and how many people were really affected. The scary thing is how long it took for help to arrive for the victims. A big question was brought up about the people of New Orleans and whether they were treated differently because of their social class. Some of the areas that were hit by Hurricane Katrina were poverty stricken and some ask if that could be the reason why it took so long for them to receive help, such as food, water, diapers and the basic essentials in order to live. It makes you think what if there was an earth quake in California, would we receive the help that we need or would we have to fend for our self’s?
I definitely think that it could be a challenge having to be objective about this topic because of the way these people were treated in New Orleans, but I think that I will be able to do it. There is always two sides to a story and it will be interesting to get down to the truth and learn more about this tragedy.

Blog 6

I might do my position paper on why such large amounts of federal debt is poised to destroy the value of the dollar. Huge amounts of debt that come from 2 unpopular wars, and unpopular stimulus bills. With one side of politicians wanting to spend more than can be afforded on military and the other side spending more than can be afforded on social programs, our dollar is walking a thin line. There is already talk of moving away from trading oil in U.S. Dollars and countries like China keep buying our debt. Gold is the highest it has ever been. If Americans keep allowing these deficits to go unchecked, it will be a huge problem for every American, not just the rich or poor.