Designer Babies, Patricia Smith

Olive Forgash 813

Designer Babies

       

Designer babies are a controversial topic discussed by Patricia Smith in the May 12th, 2014 Upfront Magazine. Although the idea of rearranging genes in order to create a “perfect” baby offers cosmetic benefits, and can eliminate chances of genetic disorders, it is unfair to both the babies that are genetically altered, and the babies who aren’t. It also brings back similar ideas of “purifying” the population that the nazis had during world war one.

The idea of designer babies is unfair to both the babies whose DNA was rearranged, and the babies whose DNA was not. A child who is raised, aware of the fact that their DNA was altered in order to make them more attractive, could result in them either feeling insecure of the fact that their traits are not natural, or make them grow up, acting like they are superior to those whose genes were left natural. Children whose parents decided not to change the traits of their baby, most likely felt like they were doing the more ethical thing, but their child might feel self conscious of the fact that they could have had “better” traits.

The idea of designer babies reminds many people of how Hitler’s nazis tried to “purify” the human population by killing Jews, African Americans, Homosexuals, and everyone else who they felt were “un-pure”. Survival of the Fittest is the idea that the species’ without the strongest traits will die off, eventually leaving every live organism to have the strongest, and best adapted traits. Hitler tried to speed up this process, and many feel that so does the idea of designer babies.

In conclusion, designer babies are an unethical idea. They confuse the simple rules of nature, by placing kids in a hierarchy they can’t escape, and get people too involved in a topic far too similar to what is most consider to be one of the worst events in all of history.

Who’s to Blame for the Deaths of Romeo & Juliet

Who’s to Blame for the Deaths of Romeo & Juliet

Who should be blamed for the deaths of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, in “Romeo and Juliet,” by William Shakespeare is often argued. Their families held an ancient grudge, that forced Romeo and Juliet to keep their love secret. This led to many misunderstandings, and finally their deaths. The person in the play who is the most responsible, is Juliet’s father, Lord Capulet.

Lord Capulet is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. After Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) is killed, the whole Capulet family is mourning. A man named Paris had been trying to get Lord Capulet’s approval to marry Juliet with no success. Lord capulet always argued that his daughter was too young, but after Tybalts death, he thought that a wedding would lighten everyone’s mood. He went to Juliet’s room and told her that she had to marry Paris, when she said no, he wouldn’t accept it. He says, “ Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o' Thursday, Or never after look me in the face.” This means that if Juliet doesn’t marry Paris, her father  will never speak to her again. She still refuses, but can’t tell him that it is because she is already married to Romeo.

Lord Capulet is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. He is forcing Juliet to marry Paris, so she tells Friar Lawrence that she would rather die, than have to marry Paris. He gives her a potion to take the morning of the wedding which would make her appear dead, but  would actually just make her deeply asleep. The plan was to send Romeo a letter explaining that she would wake up soon and come find him. The news never reached Romeo. When he saw what he thought was Juliet’s dead body, Romeo killed himself. When Juliet woke up, she saw Romeo dead, and stabbed herself.

In conclusion, Lord Capulet is to blame for the deaths of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. If he had listened to Juliet when she said that she didn’t want to get married to Paris, none of the following events would have taken place. A wedding is supposed to be a happy day for the bride, but Lord Capulet tried to make Juliet get married, to comfort the people who would be watching. He didn’t care how Juliet felt, even though she was the one actually getting married.

Sonnet

New York City winters are harsh and gray 
The bitter cold is nipping at your nose
We wait for a warm and sunny spring day 
Bundled in coats and thick socks for your toes

Oh how the howling winds are very cold 
And at least twice a week it starts to snow 
This winter weather is getting quite old 
It’s twenty degrees out? How about no

The winds, the ice, the snow that’s turned to slush 
Warm tea, heating, and blankets help in spite 
Everybody is in such a big rush
But once you go outside it is a fright

We want a snow day, can’t walk down those stairs 
But nobody in the DOE cares 

Crank, by Ellen Hopkins

     The book Crank, by Ellen Hopkins is about Kristina/ Bree, a normal teenage girl, who after being introduced to drugs by her birth father, and friend Adam, becomes addicted.
     A large portion of this book that shocked me was how her mother reacted towards he daughter's issues. The reason for this, is that she is completely unaware for a very long time, and then once she realizes she barely even tries to help her. When reading the book it is very obvious that Kristina is using drugs to avoid the pain in her life, such as an unfit father who abandoned her, low self esteem, and bad friendships/ relationships. Kristina turns to drugs as a last resort in a way.
    Another issue, is that Kristina feels betrayed by many people close to her. Her father left, along with many of her friends, and worst of all, her own boyfriend rapes her. It actually makes sense that she wouldn't trust her mother for help. Not Because of anything she had done, but because of what so many others who she had been close to had done.
     In conclusion, Kristina needs someone to trust, and to be understood by, or she wont be able to get better.