buy custom Understanding Gene Therapy essay

buy custom Understanding Gene Therapy essay Introduction Genes are the basic physical and functional units that enhance heredity. They are capable of encoding instructions that guide processing of proteins by the body (Yashon Cummings, 2012). The processed proteins facilitate most of the life functions and form a better percentage of the cellular structures. When genes are altered, the encoded proteins are rendered ineffective and unable to function normally. This is what causes genetic disorder in a person. According to studies that have been conducted, almost everybody unconsciously carries some defective genes (Giacca, 2010). Lately, there has been increasing attention to the treatment of genetic metabolic diseases. These are diseases that develop as a result of defective genes that cause enzymes to be either absent or generally ineffective and inefficient. Enzymes function in the human body to catalyze metabolic reactions (Giacca, 2010). When these enzymes are ineffective, metabolic processes are slowed down or just fail to take place . This paper seeks to discuss gene therapy, illustrate examples of this treatment approach, discuss the risks and complications, associated with it, and outline some of the ethical principles that guide gene therapy as a method of treatment of genetic disorders. Definition and Understanding of Gene Therapy Gene therapy has been developed to help treat the genetic disorders that result from dysfunctional enzymes. Gene therapy is, thus, a treatment approach that involves replacement of faulty or absent genes with working ones so that the body is able to effectively process and produce correct enzymes or proteins and consequently be able to deal with the root cause of a genetic disease (Kelly, 2007). It is a process that involves introduction of normal and functional genes into the cells of a person, which carry the defective genes so as to enhance reconstitution of the missing protein product. It is a medical treatment process that helps in the correction of a deficient phenotype so that the normal amount of gene products is synthesized by the body. The first gene therapy trial was performed by French Anderson and R. Michael Blaese on a four year old girl in 1990 (Kelly, 2007). In order to perform gene therapy, somatic cells are modified by transferring desired gene sequences into the ge nome. However, for this to succeed, somatic cells are required to ensure that the genes that are inserted to correct the disorder are not carried down to the following generations. Examples of Gene Therapy Gene therapy has been applied widely in the treatment of genetic disorders. This is because almost all cells in the human body contain genes. This makes genetic therapy feasible in virtually all cells of the human body. Gene therapy has been performed in the cells of the body and the ovum or sperm cells. There are, thus, two broad examples of gene therapy; the somatic cell gene therapy and the germ line cell therapy. Somatic Cell Gene Therapy Somatic cell gene therapy entails introduction of genes into body cells or tissues in order to treat a disease in an individual that has been medically diagnosed to have genetic associations or origin (Wintrobe Greer, 2009). This enhances expression of an exogenous functional gene into another persons somatic cells. This genetic therapeutic approach is considered to be non-reproductive since somatic cells, where it is involved are not reproductive cells. There is consensus that this gene cell therapy is safer than other approaches because it only has influence on the targeted cells in the patient. The introduced cells are not, therefore, passed down to the future generations. The effects of a somatic cell gene therapy end with the individual who is treated. This implies that the genetic disorders that are treated through the application of somatic cell gene therapy do not have a bearing on the children of the patient. Somatic cell gene therapy is used to correct errors, relating to metabolism. For example, phenilketonuria has been treated through somatic cell gene therapy. This disorder results from the bodys inability to metabolize phenylalanine. The therapy facilitates elimination of the amino acid. Although this therapy is applicable, it does not address all inborn errors, related to metabolism (Kelly, 2007). In the case of a disorder resulting from abnormal alleles for an essential enzyme that leads to deficient metabolic functions, somatic cell gene therapy has been successfully applied as a treatment strategy. In this treatment practice, a copy of gene, capable of expressing the essential enzyme and enhancing the required metabolic function, is introduced. The cloning genes that are involved in the genetic metabolic dysfunction/disorder are identified. The normal genes are, then, introduced into the prover cell within the body, especially in the area, where metabolism is required, while cont rolling the expression of the gene within the limits of the therapeutic and safe levels (Brown, 2010). There are two sub-examples of the somatic cell gene therapy; the ex vio and the in vivo. The in vivo method involves changing of the cells within the body of the patient. The genes are transferred to cells within the body of the patient. This transfer of desired genes inside the patients body led to the derived name of this method. The ex vivo somatic cell gene therapy involves exterior-focused therapeutic approach (Benigni Remuzzi, 2008). The cells of the body are modified outside the body before they are transferred back into the body again. In some therapeutic trials, the cells from the patients own blood or even the bone marrow are removed, grown in the laboratory for some time before they are transplanted back. During this process, the cells are exposed to the virus that carries the targeted gene. The entry of the virus into the cells enhances insertion of the target gene into the DNA of the cell. The cells are, then, given time to grow in the laboratory before they are again t ransferred into the body of the patient through venal injection (Kelly, 2007). This example of somatic cell gene therapy is referred to as ex vivo because the cells are treated outside the body. Germ line Gene Therapy Germ line gene therapy is a treatment approach that involves delivery of gene to sperm or egg or directly into the cells that are responsible for their production. This example of gene therapy might help in preventing defective genes from being transferred to the subsequent generations. The act of modifying genes at the initial stages of embryonic development is also preferred since it serves as a way of correcting defective genes both in the germ line and within the cells of the body (Wintrobe Greer, 2009). In cases when the germ line gene therapy is carried out in the early embryologic stages like during pre-implantation diagnosis and in the vitro fertilization, genetic transfer could be affected in every cell within the developing embryo. However, there are reservations with the germ line gene therapy. This is because of its risks, especially with the possibility of a permanent therapeutic effect that may affect the following generations through genetic inheritance. Risks, associated with Gene Therapy The risks, associated with gene therapy, are various. These risks relate to the way, in which the genes are delivered. The normal genes that replace defective ones, in a gene therapy process, are usually delivered through carriers, which are normally vectors. Most of these vectors are viruses, which researchers use due to their unique ability to carry genetic material into the cells of a gene (Hutter, 2010). This poses a great potential for risks. To begin with, since gene therapy involves introduction of new foreign cell into the system, the body is bound to react through its immune system. The virus that is introduced into the body through gene therapy may cause the immune system to react and attack the new cell in the same way it reacts to other pathogenic and disease-causing organisms or cells. Such immune responses may not only cause complications in the bodys immunity but also lead to other medical and health complications such as inflammation, toxicity and organ failure in som e extreme instances. Gene therapy can also lead to viral spread. The process involves use of viruses to transfer the desired gene into the body. Hutter (2010) cited that since viruses have the capability of affecting more than one type of body cells, there is a possibility that viral vectors that are used in genetic transfer may end up infecting cells other than the targeted cells. All the cells that contain mutated or missing genes may, thus, be affected. This can be a very unfortunate occurrence since even the healthy cells may end up being affected by the vector-carrying virus. Thus, gene therapy may lead to viral spread, which, in turn, might cause other health complications and spread diseases or illnesses including cancer (Hutter, 2010). Perhaps, one of the greatest risks, associated with gene therapy, is the possibility of the virus to reverse to its original form. Viruses are used to transfer the required genes into the body cells to replace the defective ones that are causing enzyme and other somatic dysfunctions. However, the viruses that are used as vectors or carriers of the desired gene may recover their initial viral and infection ability and cause diseases, once they are introduced into the body through gene therapy (Abraham, 2008). This possibility is quite unfortunate given that gene therapy in itself is originally meant to be a treatment method, which should not lead to the spread of other diseases in the process of treating another disease. The risks of gene therapy have been registered, especially with regard to the ability of the virus to spread and induce tumor formation within the genome (Kelly, 2007). Scientists and researchers have registered their reservations and concerns that if the new genes get inserted or introduced in the wrong spot within the genome, there are chances that the insertion may cause tumor formation (Kelly, 2007). This has been observed by geneticists and scientists in some of the laboratory clinical trials. Besides, the new DNA that is introduced into the body during treatment through gene therapy may end up affecting the reproductive cells of the patient, especially where germ line gene therapy is involved. This may cause changes in the genetic composition and affect the children that are born after one is treated through gene therapy. Complications with Gene Therapy Although trials of gene therapy have significantly been successful, there are a few reservations that have been reported. The few complications that scientific and genetic researchers have realized with gene therapy relate to the medical and health issues that gene therapy as a treatment procedure might cause in a patient. For example, gene therapy has been associated with T-cell leukemia (Abraham, 2008). When the retroviral vector was inserted inappropriately near the proto-oncogene LMO2, the result was a proliferation of uncontrolled mature T cells, which causes T-cell leukemia in a patient. This complication is caused by the lack of both the B and T cells (Gibbs, 1996). Such a complication that result from gene therapy may expose a patient to further medical complications, including the use of bone marrow transplant that is retrieved from a histocompatible sibling of the patient. Unfortunately, this is often not easy to secure or procure. Thus, gene therapy may lead to other compl ications, some of which are very severe and can even be fatal. Gene therapy may lead to interruption of important genetic sequence and harm the cell instead of resolving the genetic and cellular defects that the treatment targets. This is because the retroviruses that penetrate the immune defenses into the target cells often affect the cells in an unpredictable manner. Abraham (2008) cited that the retroviruses may even insert the therapeutic gene at unpredictable position within the cells DNA. This is what might lead to interruption of very important genetic sequences that might have been going on within the cells DNA. Even in the cases, where gene therapy succeeds, the new genes always end up in the dormant parts of the cells DNA (Brown, 2010). In the dormant stretches, the new genes often do not get switched on as frequent enough to be able to make the much required genetic difference in the patient who is undergoing treatment (Gibbs, 1996). Ethical Concerns, surrounding Gene Therapy Gene therapy is a medical treatment involving alteration of the bodys set of basic genetic messages. Since it touches on the very processes that guide life and its characteristics, this treatment approach has raised and continues to raise various ethical issues. One of the ethical concerns that gene therapy is raising is its fairness in terms of the use of the genetic information that is disclosed during the diagnosis and treatment procedures. There are concerns, relating to the use of the genetic information (Cummings, 2009). For example, many people are in a dilemma with regard to the person who should be entitled to the access to the personal genetic information of the patient and how such information will be used. There are concerns about the privacy and confidentiality of the genetic information that is retrieved in the course of gene therapy. Since it is private and personal information, pressure is piling on the need to keep genetic information very private and confidential un der all circumstances. Genetic therapy is often associated with stigmatization. The psychological impact that is created by a persons genetic difference should, thus, be well taken care of before gene therapy is approved. For example, there are concerns about the perceptions of the society towards an individual who undergoes gene therapy. The members of the minority communities are particularly vulnerable to social stigma, associated with gene therapy. Besides, being a complex procedure that has great potentials for risks and complications, there is need to seek adequate informed consent from the patient and the family members before gene therapy is carried out on a patient. This is because gene therapy has very close link and relationship to the reproductive aspects of an individual (Cummings, 2009). The healthcare personnel, thus, need to carefully counsel the patient and the family members about the risks, the limitations and the implications of gene therapy. This ethical aspect is very essential given the clinical issues, uncertainties, complications and risks that are associated with gene therapy. Conclusion Gene therapy is increasingly becoming acceptable and a popular method for treatment of genetic disorders and gene-related diseases and illnesses. Although germ line gene therapy exists, it is still outlawed in most states like the entire European Union because of its implications. Somatic cell gene therapy is, however, acceptably practiced as a treatment method. However, the complications and risks that are associated with gene therapy still limit its use considerably. Thus, there is a need for scientists to evaluate further the safe, effective and efficient ways of using gene therapy as a treatment procedure for genetic disorders giving careful attention to the ethical concerns that this procedure raises. Buy custom Understanding Gene Therapy essay

Reformation 101 - The Protestant Reformation in Europe

Reformation 101 - The Protestant Reformation in Europe The Reformation was a split in the Latin Christian church instigated by Luther in 1517 and evolved by many others over the next decade- a campaign which created and introduced a new approach to Christian faith called Protestantism. This split has never been healed and doesnt look likely to, but dont think of the church as divided between older Catholics and new Protestantism, because there is a huge range of Protestant ideas and offshoots. The Pre-Reformation Latin Church In the early 16th century, western and central Europe followed the Latin Church, headed by the pope. While religion permeated the lives of everyone in Europe- even if the poor focused on religion as a way to improve day to day issues and the rich on improving the afterlife- there was widespread dissatisfaction with many aspects of the church: at its bloated bureaucracy, perceived arrogance, avarice, and abuses of power. There was also widespread agreement that the church needed to be reformed, to restore it to a purer and more accurate form. While the church was certainly vulnerable to change, there was little agreement on what should be done. A massively fragmented reform movement, with attempts from the pope at the top to priests at the bottom, was ongoing, but attacks tended to focus on only one aspect at a time, not the whole church, and the local nature led only to local success. Perhaps the main bar to change was the belief that the church still offered the only route to salvation. What was needed for mass change was a theologian/argument which could convince a mass of both people and priests that they did not need the established church to save them, allowing reform to run unchecked by previous loyalties. Martin Luther presented just such a challenge. Luther and the German Reformation In 1517 Luther, a Professor of Theology grew angry at the selling of indulgences and produced 95 theses against them. He sent them privately to friends and opponents and may, as legend has it, have nailed them to a church door, a common method of starting debate. These theses were soon published and the Dominicans, who sold lots of indulgences, called for sanctions against Luther. As the papacy sat in judgment and later condemned him, Luther produced a powerful body of work, falling back on scripture to challenge the existing papal authority and rethinking the nature of the entire church. Luther’s ideas and style of preaching in person soon spread, partly among people who believed in him and partly among people who just liked his opposition to the church. Many clever and gifted preachers across Germany took on the new ideas, teaching and adding to them faster and more successfully than the church could keep up with. Never before had so many clergies switched to a new creed which was so different, and over time they challenged and replaced every major element of the old church. Shortly after Luther, a Swiss preacher called Zwingli produced similar ideas, beginning the related Swiss Reformation. Brief Summary of Reformation Changes Souls were saved without the cycle of penitence and confession (which was now sinful), but by faith, learning, and the grace of God.Scripture was the sole authority, to be taught in the vernacular (the local languages of the poor).A new church structure: a community of believers, focused around a preacher, needing no central hierarchy.The two sacraments mentioned in the scriptures were kept, albeit altered, but the other five were downgraded. In short, the elaborate, costly, organized church with often absent priests was replaced by austere prayer, worship, and local preaching, striking a chord with laypeople and theologians like. Reformed Churches Form The reformation movement was adopted by laypeople and powers, merging with their political and social aspirations to produce sweeping changes on everything from the personal level- people converting- to the highest reaches of government, where towns, provinces, and whole kingdoms officially and centrally introduced the new church. Government action was needed as the reformed churches had no central authority to disband the old church and instill the new order. The process was haphazard- with much regional variation- and carried out over decades. Historians still debate the reasons why people, and the governments who reacted to their wishes, took up the ‘Protestant’ cause (as the reformers became known), but a combination is likely, involving seizing land and power from the old church, genuine belief in the new message, ‘flattery’ by laypeople at being involved in religious debate for the first time and in their language, deflecting dissent onto the church, and freedom from old church restrictions. The Reformation did not occur bloodlessly. There was military conflict in the Empire before a settlement allowing old church and Protestant worship was passed, while France was riven by the ‘Wars of Religion,’ killing tens of thousands. Even in England, where a Protestant church was established, both sides were persecuted as the old church Queen Mary ruled in between Protestant monarchs. The Reformers Argue The consensus which led to theologians and laity forming reformed churches soon broke down as differences between all parties emerged, some reformers growing ever more extreme and apart from society (such as Anabaptists), leading to their persecution, to the political side developing away from theology and onto defending the new order. As ideas of what a reformed church should be evolved, so they clashed with what rulers wanted and with each other: the mass of reformers all producing their own ideas led to a range of different creeds which often contradicted each other, causing more conflict. One of these was Calvinism, a different interpretation of Protestant thought to that of Luther, which replaced the ‘old’ thinking in many places in the middle to late sixteenth century. This has been dubbed the ‘Second Reformation. Aftermath Despite the wishes and actions of some old church governments and the pope, Protestantism established itself permanently in Europe. People were affected at both a deeply personal, and spiritual level, finding a new faith, as well as the socio-political one, as an entirely new layer division was added to the established order. The consequences, and troubles, of the Reformation remain to this day.

The Business of Health Care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Business of Health Care - Essay Example This paper seeks to determine the extent to what the health care can be a business, and seek evidence that may suggest the cost and quality improvement of the health care. The business aspect of health care encompasses the entire system, from financial analysis to personnel management. Similar to other businesses, the health care providers need qualified individuals for the management of resources, finance, database and computer systems, and other aspects of the health care administration. Those concerned with health care management essential deal with the ‘business side’ of the health care system, which include budget and staff needs, databases, accountability, and organizational systems. These personnel prepare reports on funds or resources allocation, focus on improving efficiency by ensuring that patients enjoy timely access to health care services, and engage in reorganization of departments through streamlining processes as well as assisting employees to achieve th eir best productivity (Greener, 2007:258). Small physicians and private practice groups may only require the services of a single administrator or a few staff members, but large organizations with a relatively higher number of physician, nurses, and surgeons may require an entire department to keep operations running smoothly. In recent times, the debate over the increasing costs of the health care system has sparked different opinions and proposals from scholars and experts in the field. Additionally, studies and research show that the health care system is less than ideal. These two factors constitute a significant problem to the system. There are numerous possible causes of these deficiencies, including the rapid development of technology, poorly informed customers, difficulties in measuring the performance of providers, resistance by providers to embrace information technologies and other potentially quality-improvement techniques. Turnover of workers and enrolees among employer s and insurers, administered prices, and delayed impact of investment in health promotion. A portion of health services researchers argue that National Health Service, a United Kingdom health care system, should lead the way in effort to promote quality healthcare in the UK and the rest of the world (Department of Health, 2008:6). There are many key stakeholders in the health care system, including the government, consumers, health plans, providers, hospitals, health insurers, and pharmacy-benefit managers, although the private sector is also an important catalyst for improving the health care. This is so because, first, more than 160 million non-elderly employees receive health insurance from their employers. Second, employers provide a substantial amount of compensation to employees in form of health insurance. Third, a section of employers is leading initiative to assess the quality of health care and hold providers accountable. Fourth, private employers may move focus to the pub lic sector after conviction that investing in the programs that seek to improve the quality of the health care services is profitable. There are two important points worth noting in this context. One, improving the quality of he

Small Business Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Small Business Management - Assignment Example Keeping the objective in mind the study looks to analyze the cafe and restaurant market of Sydney, Australia. In order to conduct the feasibility study, methodical analysis of the market condition is required. Market conditions tend to have significant effect on the viability of a business. While conducting market analysis certain strategic tools are required. Keeping the objective in mind PEST analysis of Australia has been conducted. Special emphasis has been to the city of Sydney while conducting a PEST analysis. A part from this the 4 P’s of marketing has also been used to provide a future action plan. The in-depth analysis has been punctuated with a brief market audit of the Australian Restaurant and cafe market to analyze the present and future market scenario as well as growth opportunities.However the preference of gourmet coffee among of the coffee has been quite evidently visible. This is largely due to the fact that the Aussies view quality coffee like a luxury prod uct at an affordable price. If numbers are to be believed more than one billion cups of coffee have been sold in Australia. The percentage of out of home consumption of coffee has seen a steady rise. According to analysts as the economic conditions are set for improvements, steady growth of the cafe and restaurant business is expected over the course of next five years and so. Such growth is applicable as there is likely to be presence of both international players as well as other franchises. This discussion outlines that competitive Landscape The cafe and restaurant industry of Australia can be tagged as highly competitive. The main reasons can be presumed as very low barriers to entry. Add to that the industry is believed to be highly fragmented. According to reports the major players hold less than ten percent of the total market share. The small players enjoy a fair share of success as the 91% of the food chain businesses have less than fifty employees. There exists strong pres ence of franchisee model or any equivalent business strategy. Companies like McCafe, Coffee club, Hudsons Coffee, out back Jacks, etc. have set up strong and successful franchisee models in Australia. The companies mainly compete on the merit of quality, price and customer service. Growth Opportunities The key to the success in Aussie restaurant and Cafe business is to understand the customers and providing the customers something unique.  

Burts Bees Essay Example for Free

Burts Bees Essay A while back in 2007, Burts Bee’s was bought out by Clorox for $913 million. In buying Burts Bee’s Clorox is promising to go green. This was Clorox’s start in buying out other green companies to help them achieve their goal in going completely green. Mr. Shavitz and Ms. Quimby the original owners of Burt’s Bees had a huge fall out that began in the late 1990’s which has been going on ever since. (1) The reason that Clorox was willing to pay almost $1 Billion for Burts Bee’s because they see a big opportunity in the market to make their products green. The Burt’s Bess is really into the whole giving back to the community, and always helping. A few events they have done for the community is Urban Gardening when they teamed up with NEEM, to help make Durham, North Carolina greener, and help them plant more community gardens. Another event that they have done is help create green homes in North Carolina. As I was looking on the Burt’s Bees website on their most frequently asked questions someone asked how they can receive donations, and the answer the company gave threw me aback. â€Å"At this time, Burts Bees is not currently providing product or financial donations. We remain committed to supporting local community organizations committed to The Greater Good† (2) Personally in reading this I feel like if they want to help create that customer satisfaction, they should be willing to help everyone go green and not just the community. Since the buyout according to Clorox, their natural care products already account for over $6 billion in sales and is growing at a fast rate. The sales are climbing to a yearly rate of around 9%. As for the stalk holder Clorox states, they rose from $1. 69, 2. 8%. to $62. 69. This was a huge boost for the stockholders, and for people who wanted to buy into the stalk. As of 25th 2013, the stalks are at $83. 25. (3) This was also helping Clorox’s public relations by helping them get well known. Clorox does a whole bunch of press releases to help show that they have turned green. They also do press releases when they win an award or do contests for people to enter. When you go on the Clorox website they give you three options to choose from, Press Releases, Media Resources, and Press contacts. Since working together with Burt’s Bee’s, Clorox is also trying to get more involved in the community which they never used to do. On their website they state, â€Å"Clorox knows that it cant do it alone and actively seeks partners and other affiliations to help us become a more sustainable company. Clorox also cares. In addition to our work to make Clorox a more sustainable company, we strive to make a positive eco impact beyond Clorox. † (4) Clorox donates nearly $1 million dollars to environmental causes. Some of things they do to help the community is they donate products to the Save the Frogs, and Save the California Oaks. They also have their own foundations to help Keep America Beautiful.

The Pet Food Market :: Business Marketing Studies

4. Draw a perceptual map for the pet food market as a whole to be included as an appendix of the final report. The perceptual map shows us the spending on advertising of different brands against the average sale price of their products. It can be seen that although some brands have very high advertisement expenses, their products aren?t classified in the super-premium price class. Whiskas products are priced averagely whereas IAMS charges a high price for its products, although it doesn?t promote its image in such a way. Whiskas is surely more well-known than the rest, having a advertisement expenditure far greater than any other brand. This is mainly due to the multinational position of Mars Incorporation, its products being retailed all over the world. 5. Produce a fully referenced macro-environmental analysis for the national pet food market. Approx. 250 words On the political side, the UK has a great number of legislation governing the pet food market. Though the pet food market is subject to the same legislation as human food, there are a number of individual parts of legislation for that particular market as well: The Animal By-Products has guidelines on what ingredients are permitted for the production of pet food, as well as the processing procedures of these products. (Great Britain. Statutory Instruments, 2001) The Feeding Stuffs Regulations 2000 include regulations about appropriate labelling of the advertised product and criteria for the use of additives and contaminants. (Great Britain. Statutory Instruments, 2000) To ensure that the customer is properly informed about the product, the Packaging Goods Regulations requires that the net weight of pre-packed foods is displayed properly on each pack. There?s the problem with the VAT on pet food varying widely across Europe. Some countries apply the same tax rate on pet food as on human food, whereas others impose a higher rate on pet food. As for the UK, human food is zero-rated, but pet food is charged at the standard rate of 17.5%. This causes discontent amongst people in the industry, seeing themselves in a competitive disadvantage. (PFMA) Economic factors don?t have a large impact on the pet food market, because it is a necessity rather than a luxury. A decline in the economy would probably enable owners to move away from premium brands to low-cost supermarket pet food. Social benefits are explained thoroughly in the ?pets are good for you? report by the petcare trust (2003). According to the statistics pets make their owners feel happier and reduce health problems like The Pet Food Market :: Business Marketing Studies 4. Draw a perceptual map for the pet food market as a whole to be included as an appendix of the final report. The perceptual map shows us the spending on advertising of different brands against the average sale price of their products. It can be seen that although some brands have very high advertisement expenses, their products aren?t classified in the super-premium price class. Whiskas products are priced averagely whereas IAMS charges a high price for its products, although it doesn?t promote its image in such a way. Whiskas is surely more well-known than the rest, having a advertisement expenditure far greater than any other brand. This is mainly due to the multinational position of Mars Incorporation, its products being retailed all over the world. 5. Produce a fully referenced macro-environmental analysis for the national pet food market. Approx. 250 words On the political side, the UK has a great number of legislation governing the pet food market. Though the pet food market is subject to the same legislation as human food, there are a number of individual parts of legislation for that particular market as well: The Animal By-Products has guidelines on what ingredients are permitted for the production of pet food, as well as the processing procedures of these products. (Great Britain. Statutory Instruments, 2001) The Feeding Stuffs Regulations 2000 include regulations about appropriate labelling of the advertised product and criteria for the use of additives and contaminants. (Great Britain. Statutory Instruments, 2000) To ensure that the customer is properly informed about the product, the Packaging Goods Regulations requires that the net weight of pre-packed foods is displayed properly on each pack. There?s the problem with the VAT on pet food varying widely across Europe. Some countries apply the same tax rate on pet food as on human food, whereas others impose a higher rate on pet food. As for the UK, human food is zero-rated, but pet food is charged at the standard rate of 17.5%. This causes discontent amongst people in the industry, seeing themselves in a competitive disadvantage. (PFMA) Economic factors don?t have a large impact on the pet food market, because it is a necessity rather than a luxury. A decline in the economy would probably enable owners to move away from premium brands to low-cost supermarket pet food. Social benefits are explained thoroughly in the ?pets are good for you? report by the petcare trust (2003). According to the statistics pets make their owners feel happier and reduce health problems like

BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Essay

1. The apprenticeship and your role In this induction section you will show that you understand the employer/employee relationship and what someone who works in the health and social care sector is required to do. The Workbook will help you to show that you follow agreed ways of working. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Task 1 WorkSkills: Unit 1: 1.1, 1.2 Task 1a Complete the spider diagram below to show that you understand what each component of the Apprenticeship is for and how it is assessed. †¢ In each box, for Number 1 say what the component is for. Read more: Explain the principle of informed choice in child care essay Diploma 1. Generic, dementia and learning disability. alongside other components. 2. Checked by the assessor Employment Rights and Responsibilities 1. ERR BTEC 1. Social care level 2 and 3 2. Checked by the assessor 2. Checked by the assessor alongside other components. Apprenticeship components alongside other components. Key/Functional Skills 1. 2. Functional skills English, Math Checked by the assessor alongside other components. Personal, learning and thinking skills 1. Skills for working life 2. Checked by the assessor alongside other components 2 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care †¢ For Number 2 say how it is assessed. Types of assessment are given in a list below. Choose the most appropriate one or two. Assessment methods: †¢ portfolio †¢ online test †¢ paper-based test. One example has been done for you. WorkSkills: Unit 1: 3.1, 3.2 ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 1 Task 1b In the table below write a list of different careers that you could aim to have after your Apprenticeship. In the second column, write in where you could get advice about how to progress on this career pathway. In the third column put two possible routes for this career path. An example has been done for you. Career Nurse Where to ï ¬ nd advice NHS careers advice website (www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nursing.shtml) Union website (www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/nursing/education) Progression routes 1. Level 3 BTEC 2. University Care Assistant Care Assistant advice website (www.careruk.orgs) 1. Level 2 NVQ Diploma. 2. BTEC Level 2 Diploma Senior Care Assistant Senior Care Assistant advice website 1. Level 3 NVQ Diploma 2. BTEC Level 3 Diploma Manager Care Assistant Manager Care Assistant advice website 1. Level 5 NVQ Diploma 2. College Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 3 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 BTEC: Unit 6:1.1 Diploma: Unit 6:1.1 Task 2 Task 2a For each of the ï ¬ gures below, ï ¬ ll in the box for who you have personal or working relationships with and the box on why. An example has been completed for you. Personal relationship Who? Why? Family Love Enemys Friends Ignore Friendship Working relationship Who? Why? Colleagues Managers Residents Team working Supervisory Between professionals BTEC: Unit 6: 1.2 Diploma: Unit 6: 1.2 Task 2b The table below lists different types of relationship. For each type, write what the relationship is. An example has been completed for you. Relationship type Supervisory Colleagues Between teams Between professionals With others Example e.g. Me and my manager Me and other care assistants Me and other staff members Me and the residents Me and their family 4 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care BTEC: Unit 4: 3.1, 3.2 Unit 5: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Unit 7: 5.5 Unit 9: 2.2 Diploma: Unit 7: 5.4 ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 Task 2c i) Below are some case studies of problems at work. Select the aspect of employment law that each one relates to from this list. Aspects of employment law: †¢ discrimination †¢ working hours †¢ holiday †¢ sickness absence and sick pay †¢ data protection †¢ health and safety. 1 1 Salina was told that because of stafï ¬ ng shortages she would be expected to cut short her holiday this year. Aspect of employment law: 2 Although he was more experienced, Marc believes that he did not get promotion because of his sexual orientation. Aspect of employment law: 3 Melanie has not yet attended the moving and handling of people training but has been asked to help someone with limited mobility into their bed from a chair. Aspect of employment law: 4 Gina overheard staff discussing private information about her which she had shared with her supervisor. Aspect of employment law: Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 5 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 ii) List the main features of current employment legislation: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ iii) Complete the following sentence: Employment legislation exists because †¦ PLTS: IE3 iv) What kinds of information and support are there to help you with Employment Rights and Responsibilities? Complete the list below. An example has been done for you. †¢ HR department †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ What kinds of information and support are there to help you with Employment Rights and Responsibilities? 6 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care BTEC: Unit 8: 1.2, 1.3 Diploma: Unit 8: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Task 3 Produce a leaï ¬â€šet about health and safety for new starters at your workplace. You can ï ¬ ll in the example shown below or do your own, following the same structure, to give to anyone starting work. 1 HEALTH AND SAFETY IN OUR WORKPLACE There are many pieces of legislation that relate to health and safety. The main ones include: †¢ Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ The main points of health and safety procedures that affect you are: †¢ Dealing with accidents and injuries †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Everybody in the workplace has responsibility for health and safety. You Look after your own health and safety Your Employer Provide training where necessary Others Look after their own health and safety Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 7 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 Task 4 BTEC: Unit 6: 2.2, 2.3 Diploma: Unit 6: 2.2 WorkSkills: Unit 1: 1.3 Task 4a It is important to be clear about the agreed ways of working in your organisation. i) Using the table below, complete the list of the documents that set out details of your employment. For each document on the list state where it is stored and how it can be accessed. Your assessor may ask to see the documents on their visit but you do not have to photocopy them. The list has been started for you. Fill in the blank spaces with any other documents. Exactly which documents are included on your list will depend on your organisation. It might include any of the following: †¢ health and safety policy and procedures †¢ equality and diversity policy †¢ policy on conï ¬ dentiality and data protection †¢ policy on harassment, bullying and conï ¬â€šict management. Documents setting out relationship with employer Job description Grievance procedure Employee handbook Contract of employment Apprenticeship Agreement Where they are stored/how to access Company website/from HR page ii) Why is it important that you have access to up-to-date versions of these documents? iii) What is the purpose of the Apprenticeship Agreement? 8 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 2.1 Task 4b Complete the following information about your role. My working hours are: 1 My place of work is: If I cannot attend work I should: If I am sick I should: If I am still sick after †¦.. days I should: If I continue to be sick my employer will: My sick pay entitlement is: My notice period is: Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 9 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 My probationary period lasts for: During probation, my notice period is: BTEC: Unit 2: 1.1,1.3 Unit 6: 2.2 Diploma: Unit 2: 1.2. 1.3 ERR/WorkSkills Unit 3: 2.5 Task 4c Complete the following examples to show how and when you have complied with policies and procedures in your workplace: i) To maintain my organisation’s good reputation I have: If I do not do this the consequence is: ii) To comply with my organisation’s health and safety policy and procedure, I have: If I do not comply the consequence is: iii) To comply with my organisation’s equality and diversity policy and procedure, I have: 10 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care If I do not comply the consequence is: 1 iv) To comply with my organisation’s conï ¬ dentiality and data protection policy and procedure, I have: If I do not comply the consequence is: v) To comply with my organisation’s policy on harassment, bullying and conï ¬â€šict management I have: If I do not comply the consequence is: vi) Ways in which I make sure that my personal attitudes or beliefs do not affect how I work with people using my services or with my colleagues include: †¢ Reï ¬â€šecting on my own work †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 11 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 2.4 Task 4d i) What personal information should you keep up to date with your employer? †¢ Phone number †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ ii) Why does your employer need to have this up-to-date information? BTEC: Unit 6: 2.1 Diploma: Unit 2: 1.1 Unit 6: 2.1 ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 Task 4e i) What is your role? You need to show that you understand what your job description means for you. Where there are job titles (for example reports to †¦ , responsible for †¦ ) you need to list the names of the actual people. Where it lists your duties, provide an example of what you should do. You can either write the information on a copy of your job description or complete the table below. The job description says . . . What this means is . . . 12 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care ii) How does your role help to improve the service provided for the people who use your organisation? 1 iii) Complete the spider diagram below to show how your role links to the wider sector. An example is completed for you. e.g. local mental health team refer people to my centre My role . . . Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 13 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 Representative body UNISON iv) The table below lists some of the representative bodies in the health and social care sector. Complete the table showing their roles and responsibilities. Role in the sector Skills for Care and Development British Association of Social Workers Care Quality Commission Criminal Records Bureau v) Why is it important that you do not carry out tasks which are not part of your own job description? ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 2.3 Task 4f i) What happens when things go wrong? Give an example of something that could be handled within the grievance procedure: 14 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care ii) Look at the grievance policy of your organisation. Do a ï ¬â€šow chart to show each step of the process that should be taken. You may add more boxes if you wish. 1 ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 2.2 Task 4g Do you know where your money goes? Annotate one of your pay statements with an explanation of what each section covers. BTEC: Unit 5: 1.1 Diploma: Unit 4: 1.1 PLTS: IE1 Task 5 Task 5a Duty of care is an important idea when working in health and social care. Choose which of the statements below you think are true. 1 a) Duty of care is a legal obligation. b) Duty of care is not a legal obligation. 2 a) You are required to work in the best interests of the person using the service. b) You are required to work in the best interests of the service provider. 3 a) You must carry out care only within the limits of your role. b) You must carry out any type of care the individual requests. Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 15 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 BTEC: Unit 5: 1.2 Diploma: Unit 4: 1.2 PLTS: IE2, IE6, EP3, EP4 Task 5b Complete the spider diagram below showing how duty of care affects your own role: I am accountable for my decisions and actions How duty of care affects me BTEC: Unit 5: 2.1, 2.2 Diploma: Unit 4: 2.1, 2.2 Task 5c i) Sometimes you will come across problems where an individual’s wishes go against your duty of care for them. For example, an individual may want to do something that could cause them harm. Write down an example of when this has happened in your workplace. 16 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care Remember that in order to meet conï ¬ dentiality requirements you must not include any information which will identify individuals. 1 ii) When you have a problem like this, there are many places you can go for advice and support. List three of them below. 1. 2. 3. ERR/WorkSkills: Unit 3: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 Task 6 i) The health and social care sector is often in the news. List three occasions when concerns have been raised about the sector. Check in newspapers or on the internet. †¢ †¢ †¢ ii) For one of your examples, ï ¬ ll in the table below showing how three different people might feel about the event. Management of the service involved Relative of the person involved Person who works at the service involved (for example care worker) iii) How do you think negative coverage of the health and social care sector changes the views of the public about the sector? Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 17 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 a) Do they feel more or less positive about people who work in the sector? b) Are they happy with the service they or their relatives are receiving? iv) Have public concerns about the health and social care sector and the way services are delivered made any changes to your workplace? BTEC: Unit 2: 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.3 Diploma: Unit 2: 2.1, 3.1 PLTS: CT6, RL5, CT3 Task 7 i) It is important to consider your personal development. Throughout your Apprenticeship, your assessor and manager will encourage you to think about or reï ¬â€šect on what you do at work. How can reï ¬â€šection help you to develop your knowledge and skills? 18 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care It is important to consider your personal development 1 ii) Describe a learning activity that improved your own knowledge, skills and understanding. iii) What did you learn? Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 19 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 iv) Where can you go for support in your learning and development? v) This is a template for a Personal Development Plan. Below it are statements about what you should put in different sections. Match each statement to the correct section of the plan. Personal Development Plan 1. Review of strengths and weaknesses relevant to current and future roles 2. Learning topic to be targeted in the plan and how the learning will be used Name: 3. Knowledge to be learnt 4. Skills to be learnt and developed 5. Learning activities and dates 6. Assessment and dates 20 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care Insert the number of the correct section of the plan next to each description. This space should include a brief description of the area the person will be trying to develop and what difference the learning could make to their role. This space should include detailed information about which skills the person will develop. Objectives should be SMART (speciï ¬ c, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound). This space should include a description of what the person does well and where they do less well in the job. It should be based on evidence. It should identify changes in the job and possible changes in career and the relevant strengths and weaknesses of the individual. This space should include target dates for achievement and space for the comments of the person and their manager to assess the success of different objectives. This space should include detailed information about what knowledge the person will gain. Objectives should be SMART (speciï ¬ c, measurable, achie vable, realistic and time-bound). This space should include a description of any learning activities the person will do, what knowledge and skills they will gain and when the activities will take place. You will need to complete your own personal development plan. If your workplace does not have its own template, you may want to use the one above. You should complete the plan together with your manager. 1 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011 21 BTEC Apprenticeship Assessment Workbook Level 2 Health & Social Care 1 BTEC: Unit 2: 3.2, 3.4 Diploma: Unit 2: 2.2, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.4 WorkSkills: Unit 1: 2.1, 2.3 Unit 9: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 PLTS: EP4 EVIDENCE GATHERING In this activity you will identify an area of your work that will capture evidence of how you operate as a team leader. Your assessor will help you to identify suitable items of evidence. You need to gather evidence of activity within areas of your work to demonstrate: that you can complete a personal development plan and assess your own knowledge and skills. Suggested evidence may include: †¢ completed personal development plan †¢ diary or reï ¬â€šective account of your own learning †¢ witness testimony from manager about your participation in the process of building a personal development plan. Your assessor may wish to ask you some follow-up questions on the personal development plan process. These may include the following: †¢ How should you agree a personal development plan? †¢ What are the beneï ¬ ts of a personal development plan? †¢ Why should you meet deadlines and be organised? †¢ How has a learning activity improved your knowledge, ski lls and understanding? †¢ What happens if you do not complete learning on time? 22 Original text and illustrations  © Pearson Education Limited, 2011

Multiculturalism In Canada: The benefits of a multicultural society Essay

Canada is a very interesting country, mainly due to its diversity. The weather in Canada can be both freezing and very hot. Some land is rocky and mountainous, while other places are composed of flat, rolling hills. And in Canada, you can find many different races, from Asian to Latin, African to Indian. Canada is the most multicultural country in the world, and a lot of Canada’s development and success can be attributed to immigrants coming into Canada (Samuda, 1984). Yet not all people agree that multiculturalism has had only positive effects on Canada. There are some drawbacks that are due to Canada’s policies on immigration and multiculturalism. However, by examining key points and facts concerning multiculturalism in Canada, it is evident that Canada’s policies on multiculturalism have had mainly positive effects on Canadian society. Canada was the very first country in the world to introduce a multicultural policy (Satzewich, 1992). In 1969, the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism heard many ethnic spokespersons argue that Canada should adopt the idea of a â€Å"cultural mosaic†, where different cultures would each contribute to Canada, making the country unified through each culture’s uniqueness. This was a different concept than the United States idea of a â€Å"melting pot†, where there would be many different cultures, yet they would all have â€Å"American values†, which would be the main factor that united them as a country. The Royal Commission agreed with this proposed policy, and presented it to the Government of Canada. Two years later, the policy was accepted while Pierre Elliot Trudeau was Prime Minister. In 1982, the policy became law, which helped to settle any racial and ethnic problems (Satzewich, 1992). In 1997, the Department of Canadian Heritage restructured the federal Multicultural Program. The renewed program worked towards three main goals: identity – fostering a society in which people of all backgrounds feel a  sense of belonging and attachment to Canada; civic participation – developing citizens who are actively involved in shaping the future of their various communities and their country; social justice – building a nation that ensures fair and equitable treatment and that respects and accommodates people of all origins (Internet Site, http://www.communication.gc.ca/facts/multi_e.html). The Multicultural Policy in Canada states that all people are equal, and can participate as a member of society, regardless of racial, cultural, ethnic, or religious background. Multiculturalism strives to preserve people’s cultural identity, while at the same time ensuring that common Canadian values are upheld (Reitz, 1980). Canada’s policy on immigration has changed over the years, reflecting societal views and economical conditions. Yet no matter how much the policy changed, the effects of this policy are very evident. Close to 10% of the adult population of Canada are visible minorities, and this amount is expected to double within the next twenty years (Satzewich, 1992). Visible minorities are â€Å"persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour† (Employment and Immigration Canada, 1987). This means that the immigrants coming into Canada are not only from European descent; rather, they are coming from other continents, such as Africa, South America, and Asia. Before 1961, 90% of the immigrants coming into Canada were of European descent. Yet in 1981, Europeans only constituted for 25% of the immigrants coming into Canada (Satzewich, 1992). This means that 75% of immigrants coming into Canada in 1981 were from Asia, South America, etc. It is obvious that Canada’s policy on multiculturalism has had a profound effect on Canada and its people. However, does this mean that multiculturalism in Canada has had a positive effect on society? Many will argue that Canada would be better off without its lenient attitude towards immigration and multiculturalism. There are several negative factors that are attributed to Canada’s multicultural policy. One of the main reasons why people believe that Canada’s multicultural policy does more harm  than good is because it creates racism. By putting many different races together, all of which have different cultural and value differences, acts of discrimination and racism are bound to occur. Also, some immigrants bring with them histories of conflict in their home countries to Canada, which leads to  problems that could include violence, hatred, and discrimination (Bibby, 1990). Rather than unite Canadians, these factors would only divide Canadian society. Another main reason as to why some people view multiculturalism in Canada negatively is because it creates confusion and misunderstanding. Many people that come to Canada know only their native tongue, and their own countries rules and laws. Being introduced to Canadian laws, language and customs can prove to be quite the challenge. A third reason as to why not everyone supports multiculturalism is because of the fear of eroding traditional British heritage. Canada has close ties to its mother-nation Britain, and many believe that by allowing immigrants of different ethnic backgrounds into the country, the link between Canada and Britain will only weaken (Satzewich, 1992). These are all examples of downsides to Canadian multiculturalism, yet there are many benefits that result from multiculturalism as well. The benefits of multiculturalism in Canada make up for the drawbacks. One of the downsides to multiculturalism was that it leads to racism. However, one of the positive effects of Canada’s policy is that there is, over time, less racism. This is due to the fact that once many different ethnic groups have been living with each other for some time, they begin to understand each other more, and therefore feel closer and more connected to each other (Samuda, 1984). This results in less racism and prejudice towards one another. Another positive effect is that since there are many different cultures living with each other, people will benefit because they will learn more about different races, and will develop a greater understanding of the  cultures around them (Samuda, 1984). For instance, a Hindu who only knows his own religion and way of life will see the way that other races live, and therefore his knowledge about other religions, countries, values, etc. will grow. This in turn allows the Hindu to have more freedom, because he now sees other ways of living, and can choose however he wants to live. This is a very important aspect of Canadian society: the ability to live freely, and to choose whatever religion and way of life you want. Another positive effect that multiculturalism has had on Canada is that Canada is now a country so diverse and so rich in culture, that there are now vast amounts of ideas, opinions, and lifestyles to explore. Without multiculturalism, Canada would not be so rich in art and cultural traditions (Samuda, 1984). All of the above benefits that multiculturalism has had on Canadian society are important, yet the main positive effect that multiculturalism has had on Canada is that it has basically shaped Canada into the country that we now know it as today. Without Canada’s multicultural policy, not very many immigrants would be coming to Canada. And without immigrants, Canada’s population would be very small, and its economy weak. Immigrants that come to Canada are beneficial to Canadian society because: they  pay taxes, create jobs, and they add to Canada’s economy, among other things. Immigration into Canada is the main reason as to why Canada has become a successful country (Reitz, 1980). Evidently, Canada has benefited from its multicultural policies, in particular its policies towards immigration. However, what is society’s attitude towards immigration? Back in the early 1900’s, foreigner’s were mostly seen as inferior. They were not treated the same as white people were (Bibby, 1990). So the question that should be asked is why were so many immigrants even allowed into Canada, if they were not wanted there? They were allowed to come simply because Canada needed workers. An easy solution to the increasing demands for labourers in Canada was to allow immigrants to come into the country to work (Bibby, 1990). After a few decades, these  immigrants had contributed a large amount of their time, work, and money to Canada, and their efforts were not left unrecognized. This was around the time when Canada’s Multicultural Policy was composed, and later put into effect. Attitudes towards multiculturalism and immigration in Canada changed significantly while Canada’s economy was expanding after World War II. Canada needed workers, and many flocked into Canada, only this time, not all were labourers. Many were professors and well-educated people, whom were fleeing their home country, coming to Canada as refugees (Satzewich, 1992). Over the next few years, Canadian attitudes towards multiculturalism became more welcoming, while the last racial and ethnic barriers to Canadian immigration were removed. With immigrants mainly moving into large cities in Canada such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, cultural diversity was becoming increasingly evident in these major urban areas (Satzewich, 1992). Most immigrants moved into large cities because of two reasons: work was easier to find, and other people of the same ethnic background as them would be living there as well. Today, 90% of foreign-born Canadians live in one of Canada’s fifteen largest urban centers (Reitz, 1980). Over the years, attitudes towards multiculturalism and immigration have changed, with many people now recognizing the benefits of a multicultural society. People are now looking towards the future, trying to see what effects multiculturalism will have on society within the next few decades. Of course, Canada’s policies towards immigration and multiculturalism will be affected by changes in social values and the economy over the next few decades. Throughout history, it is evident that immigration into Canada becomes more open and welcome when there is a need for a larger labour force (Bibby, 1990). No matter what policy is put into effect, one thing remains clear: the more Canadian society becomes culturally and racially mixed, the greater the need for tolerance and acceptance for one another as fellow Canadians. A multicultural policy that  meets the needs of both long-time residents and the newly arrived will prove to be the most successful policy (Samuda, 1984). After reviewing this information about multiculturalism in Canada, one can clearly see that multiculturalism is an important aspect of Canadian society, and society has benefited immensely due to Canada’s policies towards immigration and multiculturalism. While there will always be negative opinions towards multiculturalism in Canada, the majority of Canadians recognize the importance of Canada’s multicultural policies, and support them in their entirety (Bibby, 1990). Because Canada’s population is composed of so many different racial backgrounds, the future of Canada depends on the commitments of all its citizens to a strong and unified Canadian identity, while still keeping their own culture and unique way of life. As it does so presently and as it has done so in the past, multiculturalism will continue to benefit Canadian society, making the quality of life better and more fulfilling to all Canadians. Bibliography 1)Bibby, R.W. (1990). Mosaic madness: The poverty and potential of life in Canada. Toronto: Stoddart. 2)Employment and Immigration Canada (1987). Employment Equity Act, Regulations and Schedules. Ottawa. 3)Reitz, J.G. (1980). The survival of ethnic groups. Toronto: McGraw-Hill. 4)Samuda, Ronald J. (1984). Multiculturalism in Canada: Social and Educational Perspectives. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 5)Satzewich, Vic (1992). Deconstructing a Nation: Immigration, Multiculturalism and Racism in ’90s Canada. Toronto: Fernwood Books. 6)Internet Site: Facts on Canada: Multiculturalism in Canada. http://www.communication.gc.ca/facts/multi_e.html, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, 2001.

The Competitive Advantage of Nations. †Book Review

The Competitive Advantage of Nations. – Book Review Free Online Research Papers The Competitive Advantage of Nations. Book Review THE HARDBACK edition of The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Michael Porters sprawling analysis of the contemporary economic world order, weighs in at slightly over three poundsabout the size of a nice bass. And cooked whole, with its formidable charts, appendices, footnotes, and bibliography intact, the book should glut all but the most data-starved readers. I wish I believed it would satisfy less quantitative needs. No one will accuse Mr. Porter, a professor of business at Harvard, the author of three previous books on industrial competitivesness, and an advisor to the Reagan Administration, of aiming low. As its title suggests, the book is meant to be a contemporary equivalent of The Wealth of Nations, and the Free Press is marketing the volume as the new-forged version of Adam Smiths world-transforming thunderbolt. Like Smith, Mr. Porter has tried to synthesize the cold variables of material existence into a coherent system: he undertakes to envision the international economy as a dynamic whole, in which the fashionable notion of competitiveness becomes a core idelolgy. In Porters conception, the seemingly idiosyncratic behavior of global industries can be understood as progressive efforts which keep those industries home nations developing economically and socially. Its a pity that Mr. Porter didnt take the time, as Voltaire would have advised, to write a shorter book. In the process of editing he might have honed and resolved the ideas gleaned from the massive research project on which he based this volume. While working on the Reagan Administrations Commission on Industrial competitiveness, Mr. Porter came to the conclusion that international competitiveness was too poorly defined and undestood to be profitably debated. The central task he then set himself, he tells us, was to explain why firms based in a nation are able to compete successfully against foreign rivals in particular segments and industries. But this is to ask no more than how individual industries should be managed, and Mr. Porter became interested in a larger thesisthat national characteristics play a large role in determining the success of the industries based in any given country. He concluded that while globalization of competition might appear to make the nation less impor tant, instead it seems to make it more so. To help verify his ideas, Mr. Porter organized a multinational team of researchers who studied the industrial climate in ten different countries; he also assigned assistants to lay out detailed histories of four globally successful industries located in different parts of the developed world. What he discovered was that competitive companies, rather than sticking to previously successful management plans, or requiring advantageous production factors, constantly adapt themselves to their economic context. Manufacturers in Germany, for instance, have made the most of high-labor costs by automating as rapidly as possible; Japanese producers of consumer goods have pursued miniaturization in response to Japans severe space shortages. Not only do industries thrive in an atmosphere of selective disadvantage, they also seem to form in clustersthat is, more than one company in the same industry with the same home base will succeed internationally, and those companies will usually have globall y competitive suppliers and consumers up and down their production chains. Industries, Mr. Porter determined, from their own ecologies. As everyone knows, however, certain countries at certain times do a better job of fostering global competitors than others. Mr. Porter noted that such home countries enhanced their economic position by fostering an inherently competitive spirit within their industrial clusters. They do this, not through subsidies or protection but by providing their industries with the freest possible markets, discouraging mergers and monopolies, and regulating products sensibly, with an eye toward enhanced quality. These are pragmatic how-to-succeed-globally observations that hardly overstep the bounds of common senseor Mr. Porters own research. But how answers beg why questions: why are certain nations (most recently Japan) consistently willing to take the steps necessary to produce global competitors? To explain this Porter offers a theory of development that is surprisingly deterministics, and reminiscent of the spenglerian pessimism recently resurrected in Paul Kennedys The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. Early in their industrial history countries exploit their factor advantageslow labor costs, abundant natural resources, or what have you. Success in basic manufacturing leads to investment and innovation, more sophisticated consumer demand, and a growing service sector. This progression ultimately results in a wealth-based economy in which complacency and financial manipulations replace productive enterprise. All Porter can say about the sequel to a wealth-driven economy is that the res ulting decline can be very protracted until something jars the economy out of it. Capitalism is a grand unity which somehow manges to assemble itself out of vital particulars. Though The Competitive Advantage of Nations gestures occasionally toward the greater political truths that have made market capitalismthe one enduring social order of this convulsive centurythe book more often sinks into microtheory and conventional political prescriptions. Its a commonplace that the United States needs more education and investment, as Mr. Porter is ready to suggest, and he is hardly the first to make a cogent argument for free trade. What is not at all clear is why as a society we seem unable to take the steps necessary to revive both our industrial and cultural positions in the world. I was disappointed by more than Mr. Porters philosophical murkiness. Even by the appalling standards of academic literature, the book is dismally written. His language has the dry, stuffed, repellent feel of taxidermy. Theorists and scholars cant always be superior stylists, but we are still searching for a rhetoric of capitalism that is as appealing to intellectuals as the incantations of socialism. As we were recently reminded, political reality is not simply about competence; its about ideology. Even Mr. Porter, in his chipper way, understands that Americas competitive decline has ideological causes that lie beyond the reach of academic economics. No doubt enough people will skim The Competitive Advantage of Nations to allow the book some influence within the business community. And, as Mr. Porters admirable research suggests, business will have to be in the vanguard of any conceivable revival of American political culture. But he scarcely suggests how business leaders will inspire their managers or colleagues (not to mention their congressmen and Presidents) to abandon the cult of wealth for the culture of productivity. For that we will need a new economics, with the clarity of common sense and rhetorical authority of moral truth. Research Papers on The Competitive Advantage of Nations. - Book ReviewDefinition of Export QuotasAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropePETSTEL analysis of IndiaAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Analysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Project Managment Office SystemIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalOpen Architechture a white paper

Professional Certification and Your Career

Professional Certification and Your Career Professional certification is a process by which a person develops the knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job. Once the individual completes a course of study, he or she receives a certificate earned by passing an exam that is accredited by an organization or association that monitors and upholds prescribed standards for the particular industry involved. The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) is a leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations. A wide variety of industries and careers offer professional certification, from highly technical jobs and human services of all kinds to jobs in the arts, including ballroom dancing. In each case, the certificate assures employers, customers, students, and the public that the certificate holder is competent and professional. In some professions, certification is a requirement for employment or practice. Doctors, teachers, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), and pilots are examples. What’s in It for You? Professional certification shows employers and clients that you are committed to your profession and are well-trained. It gives them confidence in your abilities  because it proves that your skills have been evaluated and approved by a well-regarded professional organization. Certification makes you more valuable to employers and so you can expect to: Enjoy better employment and advancement opportunitiesHave a competitive advantage over candidates without certificatesEarn higher wagesReceive tuition reimbursement for continuing education A Sampling of Careers Requiring Certification Many of the careers that require certification are represented here at About.com. Below is a list of articles on various types of certifications. In the end, there is also a link to the list of NOCA member organizations that require certificates. It offers an interesting glance at the various types of industries from which to choose if you’re uncertain about which certificate you want. Certified Meeting ProfessionalCoast Guard Captain’s LicenseCulinary Arts CertificatesDatabase CertificationsDesktop Publishing CertificationESL CertificationGraphic DesignInterior DecoratingLandscaping Certificate ProgramsLogistics and Supply Chain ManagementParalegal certificatesProfessional CounselingProfessional Massage TherapyProfessional Studies Certificate in OperaReal estateRetail CertificationSpecialist Certificate for Sign Language InterpretersTechnology Certification GlossaryHighest paying jobs in the technology industry NOCA’s list of member organizations State Certification Requirements Many of the professions that require or offer certification are governed by the state in which the certificate holder practices. Your school or association will help you understand these requirements, but you can also find them at each state’s government website. Search for: state.your two-letter state code here.us/. Example: state.ny.us/. On the home page for your state, search for certifications. Choosing the Best School There are almost as many requirements for earning a certificate as there are fields requiring them, so how you go about becoming certified has everything to do with what kind of certificate you want and what you want to do with it. First, know the differences between all the different types of schools so you can choose the right school for you. Begin your search by visiting the websites of the associations and organizations that govern or accredit the schools in the field you have chosen. On the Internet, search for the name of your field and associations, organizations, and schools: Search: nursing associations results in the American Nurses AssociationSearch: pilot associations results in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots AssociationSearch: CPA organizations results in the American Institute of Certified Public AccountantsSearch: project management schools results in both directories like the Trade Schools Directory and specific schools such as the Project Management Institute at Capella University Online Schools If you think an online school would work best for you because of the flexibility it provides, read up on online certificates before you choose a school. Financial Aid Paying for school is a concern for many students. Loans, grants, and scholarships are available. Do your homework before going to school: Paying for Business SchoolFAFSASallie Maes Scholarship Search Continuing Education Most professional certifications require that certificate holders complete a certain number of hours of continuing education annually or bi-annually in order to remain current. The number of hours varies by state and field. Notices are generally sent out by the governing state and/or association, as is literature advertising continuing education opportunities, conferences, and conventions. Make the Most of Continuing Education Conferences Many professional associations gather their members yearly in the form of conferences, conventions, and/or trade shows to provide continuing education seminars, to discuss the state of the profession and new best practices, and to showcase the latest products and services. Networking at these gatherings can be extremely valuable to professionals.

Explore Peter Hollindale's claim that Peter Pan 'retains its magical Essay

Explore Peter Hollindale's claim that Peter Pan 'retains its magical elasticity and its ongoing modernity' (Reader 2, p. 1 - Essay Example This fantasy world is well suited to the need which parents and children have for storytelling and imagination. Another reason for the success of the play when it first came out was the depiction of characters who could fly: a technical feat that added to the entertainment value of the play, and inspired stagecraft like the use of a lightbulb to depict Tinkerbell. Because of the limitations of the stage quite a lot was left to the audience’s imagination. By all accounts J.M. Barrie himself was unsure about the play when it was being written and rehearsed, and he frequently changed the text, including names of characters, and details of the plot. (Carpenter and Prichard, p. 405) Some of the characters were drawn from real people, or indeed animals, in the author’s own life, for example his older brother who died in a skating accident and his pet dog who was the inspiration for Nana. The persona of Peter Pan, however, made Barrie immediately famous and captured the imagin ation of the literary world. Just as Barrie had reworked elements from his own life history the play, so he later reworked elements of the play into a novel, and others created films, cartoons, and even ballets and musicals out of this initial play. Peter Hollindale remarks that the play â€Å"retains its magical elasticity and its on-going modernity (Reader 2, p. 159) and describes how the character of Peter Pan himself contains endless sources of fascination. There are elements of innocence and childishness, like the fairy dust that makes people fly, and a lot of childish boasting but also some deeper psychological undercurrents that suggest more serious messages for an adult audience: â€Å"this is a play about the boundaries between childhood and adulthood.† (Reader 2, p. 161) There is something tragic about a boy fighting against his destiny to grow up and become an adult, a point not lost on Michael Jackson who named his home â€Å"Neverland† after the Peter Pan ’s fantasy world. In the play Peter Pan steadfastly resists any hint of growing older, the human children all gradually give in to their fate, even to the point where Wendy no longer has any need for Peter and his childish world. The story operates on two levels: the childish insistence on unrealistic and impossible things, and the adult realisation that there is no way to stop the passage of time and the loss of innocence. As Hollindale says: â€Å"The play provides a shared arena for children and grown-ups, playfully living forward and living back.† (Reader 2, p. 161.) The children get a taste of what lies ahead for them, while adults can indulge in some nostalgia for their childhood. There is a dark side to the play, and this can be seen in some of the far-fetched explanations that Peter Pan gives regarding the world he inhabits: â€Å"Wendy Where do you live now? Peter With the lost boys. Wendy Who are they? Peter They are the children who fall out of their prams when the nurse is looking the other way. If they are not claimed in seven days they are sent far away to Never Land. I’m captain.† (Peter Pan: 1:1, lines 441-443) This is an indication, perhaps, that death is the ultimate way of resisting adulthood, and that Peter Pan in some respects represents the author’s way of working through the loss of his dead older brother,