A. What is the biggest health threat facing mankind today?
There are many health threats facing mankind. Some threats are linked to our environment.
For example, smog in cities can cause breathing difficulties, and the lack of protective ozone can cause skin cancer from sun’s strong rays. The worst threats to mankind are viruses. Viruses take many forms and the problem is that new strains keep appearing. HIV developed within the last 25 years or so and has spread throughout the world with alarming speed. SARS has sprung into existence even more recently, and traveled to several countries before it was even identified. The threat from viruses is all the more dangerous because of our modern lifestyle. We live in overpopulated cities and we travel together in crowded trains, buses and planes.
In these confined spaces, it is easy to infect the people around us when we cough or sneeze. But there is hope. The World Health Organization has already successfully fought several diseases. SARS has been brought under control, at least for now, and smallpox has been eradicated. Let’s hope that we can somehow stay one step ahead of each and every deadly virus.
B. Will technology ever be able to predict natural disasters accurately?
Certainly for the next twenty or thirty years, it will be impossible to accurately predict natural disasters.
Scientists spend many years studying volcanoes or earthquake-prone areas, carefully recording any seismic activity. Yet they are still taken by surprise when a volcano erupts or an earthquake occurs. I am reminded of a story about the large earthquake in Los Angeles in the early 90’s. Seismologists had no idea what was about to happen, but many of the animals in the city zoo, particularly the great apes, were acting strangely all day before the earthquake struck. This tells us that animals may have a special ability to sense things that technology cannot adequately measure. Of course, there are many different kinds of natural disasters. Some follow patterns which make them easier to predict. Weather satellites seem to be getting more sophisticated at tracking storms.
I am sure that as we understand more about what causes weather-related natural disasters, such as hurricanes and typhoons, we will be able to predict their occurrence with greater accuracy.
C. Does the media sensationalize crime?
People have long considered media as a good source of public facts and educational information. To some it has become a way of life, a way of keeping abreast with current events.
But do they sensationalize crimes? The answer to that is a resounding yes! Media people indeed drags certain issues to the point of making them seem unreal. Take for example the case of Osama Bin Laden. Some reported that the assumed terrorist leader is dead whilst others say he's not. Media sometimes has the tendency to base their reports on presumptions and prejudices specially if they know that that's what the people want to hear. Another case is that of Britney Spears. People from the news dug out Britney's personal life, something that is unnecessary and shouldn't be disclosed for the public to munch-on on a daily basis. Paparazzi's wait outside her house, stalks her, and even trespasses just to get a story, a good scoop they say. Not only do these media people sensationalize crime but they also disrespect privacy and sometimes even violate human rights.
But then again they're just doing their job. And most people who watches and reads the fruit of their labor enjoys what they see and what they hear. But public information as such, and media in general, should be based on truth and nothing but. Both sides of the story must be considered before finalizing what they are to show the public. Credibility is what media people must acquire for them to be respected not only by the people who feeds on what they report but also by the people they report about.
D. Obstacles to nuclear disarmament I can see several obstacles to nuclear disarmament.
Firstly, when a country possesses nuclear capability, it has more bargaining power on the international political stage. Some countries are racing to develop nuclear missiles because they believe that it will make other countries take them more seriously. North Korea is a good example. It uses the threat of developing nuclear weaponry as a political bargaining chip. Secondly, there are many trouble-spot in the world. India and Pakistan, for instance, have been in an arms race for many years and both countries recently declared themselves nuclear powers. It seems that they believe that they must prove to their own people, and to each other, that they can defend themselves. Thirdly, and most importantly, the developed countries that were among the first to produce nuclear weapons-the United States, England, France, Russia and China-have shown no intention of disarming.
They continue to test and develop newer, sleeker nuclear missiles. Until these countries agree to give up their weapons, the rest of the world will be trying to catch up with them.
E. What rights should children have?
Children are the hope of humanity's future, thus, it is just the most appropriate thing to do to mold them to become good leaders and good citizens in the future when they become mature enough to make decisions on their own.
All people have the same basic needs however, each person's needs and the ways in which they react to those needs are influenced by the culture with which the person identifies. Air, food, water, shelter, rest, sleep, activity and temperature maintenance are crucial for survival and each child has the right to get enough of those. The need for safety has both physical and psychological aspects. Each child has the right to feel safe both in physical environment and in relationships. Families and friends are vital in fulfilling the child's needs to receive and give affections, to attain a place in a group and to maintain the feeling of belonging. Children also have the right to have a feeling of independence, competence and self-respect to help them boost their self-esteem. Recognition, respect, and appreciation also are essential rights these children must have to enhance their esteem for others. Every young individual need to explore and manipulate their environment to achieve optimal growth and development.
It is thru achieving and satisfying these needs that these children will strive for self-actualization, the innate need to develop one's maximum potential and realize their abilities and their qualities.
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A. Are gentically modified foods safe?
Through the years, many scientists have studied and researched about new innovations that would benefit mankind. I must say that their task wasn't easy nor was it rewarding all the time.
But alas, here comes these new products on the market: golden rice, pesticide resistant crops, and long-lasting tomatoes are just among the many biotechnological advancement in the field of biotechnology. When these products were first introduced, buyers and consumers were fuzzed. Different people got different opinions; some say they were fascinated and others say they doubt if these genetically modified foods are safe. I, personally, am not definitely sure if these biotechnological products are 100% safe. People discover something new everyday and mostly it takes time to know the effects of these new discoveries to us. Just like bio-engineered crops, it also takes time to fully know the effects of the new substances injected to these crops on human health and environment. The best we can do as of the moment is to get ourselves educated and be aware with the latest news on this matter. It is our responsibility to take care of ourselves more than anyone else, and no one else is to blame if something uncomely happens to us because of our negligence and ignorance.
Man's mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions, thus, it's our imperative to embrace and make haste in keeping these advancement soar.
B. Is space exploration worth the cost?
To think of stars, moon, sun, planets and other heavenly bodies, and everything beyond it is everything but a bore especially to those who have developed a special fascination in astrology.
As of late, Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it hasn't passed certain “planet standards”. There was also this new report about an astronomer who discovered a new planet located thousands of light-years away from Earth. And many believe that there are some other life forms out there that are yet to be discovered. At present we may not be able to see the direct benefits we are getting out of this exploration because there hasn't been a shocking a discovery unveiled yet. But what is certain is that as of the moment we are currently enjoying some of the advancements these explorations have brought us.; take for examples internet and cellphones. Without these telescopes we wouldn't have been able to interact with the world and discover new cultures the efficient way. Space explorations have also aroused young minds to be more imaginative and triggered
Imagination
'The secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and a thousand things well.'
--> unfinished.!
C. What type of crime most threatens society?
If one were to make a list of the worst sorts of violent crimes, which one would be put at the top as the worst of all? Murder and terrorism are the ones that carry the heaviest penalties and which fill our newspapers and news programs.
But, as far as I am concerned, the worst crime is drug dealing. Murder or terrorist acts may be dramatic and high profile, but they actually affect relatively few people. Drugs, on the other hand, affect huge numbers of people around the world, at all levels of society. Illicit drugs are manufactured to be addictive, and once young people are hooked, their promising lives can be ruined forever. They forgot their work and spend all their money on getting their next hit. In this way, their habit affects the people around them, and causes heartache for their family and friends.
Also, profits from the sale of drugs put money into the hands of criminal gangs and they finance other illegal activities, such as people trafficking and prostitution rings. In my opinion, drug abuse and the dealers that push drugs, are the most dangerous threat to our society.
D. Is the clash of world religion inevitable?
Violent clashes between world religions may not be inevitable, but the chances are high that they will occur. This is not because of the religions themselves, but because of human nature. It is a sad but true fact that whenever humans are different, be it nationality, ethnicity, language, or political ideology, there exists a rationale for conflict.
Religion is one more factor, and in many cases, a very important one, that may cause tensions between groups of people. Some religions are more tolerant than others. Buddhism, for example, is non-exclusive, meaning that followers may be Buddhist, while simultaneously maintaining beliefs in other religions, such as shamanism or animism. Another cause of conflict is fundamentalism. The vast majorities of followers peacefully practice their religion, and find no reason to restrict the activities of members of other religions. But extreme groups within the religion perceive other religions and their followers as threats.
We can see the effects of fundamentalism in Afghanistan, under the rule of the Taliban. The Taliban insisted that everyone in the country follow its strict interpretation of Islam, and demonstrated its tolerance of other religions by blowing up ancient Buddhist statues that had been carved out of the sides of huge cliffs.
E. Is the family becoming obsolete?
Some cultures are moving away from the traditional family unit. In many countries, people visit their families only during special events or holidays such as the New Year.
This is particularly so in northern Europe, where young people tend to live away from their parents; some countries have social benefits that make it financially possible for single parents to raise children. However, in many other areas of the world, extended family is still very close-knit. Asians traditionally value their young extended family, and I read recently that some Arab cultures prefer that young people marry cousins, or other relatives, rather than friends or family outsiders. Here in Japan, it seems we are going the way of other industrialized nations and putting less emphasis on the extended family unit. For example, people born in the countryside often leave their families to live in the city. Also, young women are becoming wary of marrying young men who are eldest sons, because they may have to look after their parents-in-law.
This does not mean that the family is becoming obsolete. But it does mean that as a result of the modernization of society, our concept of the family has also changed.