By Mike Ives

The article gives us an inside look on the concerns of China’s decision to ban imported recycling materials. For more than two decades, the world has shipped its paper, plastic, and metal recycled products to China in order for them to be used as raw materials aiding the export-driven manufacturing boom. 

 

But China doesn’t want to be the rest of the world’s trash can. Over the summer, regulators in Beijing started an unusually intense crackdown on what they called “foreign garbage,” citing health and environmental concerns (Ives, M., NY Times). They’ve made efforts to support their decision with port inspections and informing the World Trade Organization that they would ban 24 kinds of imported waste by the end of the year.

 

Many people rely on the China’s recycling business from Chinese locals trying to make ends meet all the way to waste companies in the US. US recycling businesses may need to invest in upgrading their facilities, which results in higher expenses and taxes. More waste in the country’s landfills could also be a created.

China’s concern over their health and environment stems from a moderate or mixed view of non-anthropocentrism and anthropocentrism. It’s balancing human and non-human interests (Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A., 2017, p.420). However, I have to say that I do not agree with the decision that’s being made. By shutting down operations that already meant something could potentially do more harm than good. I feel the whole point of having recycling businesses is to help sustain our environment by converting waste materials into new materials.

 

References

 

Ives, M., (2017). China Limits Waste. “Cardboard Grannies” and Texas Recyclers Scramble. NY Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/25/business/energy-environment/china-waste-recycling.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

 

Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A. (2017). Ethics: Theory and contemporary issues. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

By James Crisp

 

This article gives us an inside look on Prince Laurent’s claim that his human rights is breached due to a proposed pay cut. The 280,000 reduction was caused by the Prince’s string of unapproved meetings with foreign dignitaries. The Prince exposed himself after tweeting a photo of himself at the Chinese Embassy in Brussels during a party.

 

The prince’s lawyer sent Mr. Michel a seven-page missive that argued the government ban infringed his fundamental human rights because it would condemn him to “social isolation”. That would amount to a breach of article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the letter claimed, before alleging the Belgian government’s public announcement of the prince’s punishment was illegal (Crisp, J. 2017). His lawyer supports his client stating that The Prince would have difficulty finding another job and that his health and image would be damaged.

The Prince has lived through a number of other things such as being forced to pay back the state £14,500 for supermarket bills, skiing holidays, and children’s school fees. Additionally, he was caught speeding 20 mph above the speed limit and added “The Prince of Dogs” to his collection of names after saluting a canine at a parade.

 

Among these are life itself, as well as liberty and the ability to pursue those things that bring happiness. These are said to be rights not because they are granted by some state, but because of the fact that they are important for us as human beings or persons (Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A., 2017, p.145). It seems as if he’s experienced some exciting times in his life that would bring him happiness but at the same time he has broken the rules.

 

References

 

Crisp, J. (2017). Belgium’s “Cursed Prince” Complains His Human Rights Are Being Infringed By Salary Cut. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/01/belgiums-cursed-prince-complains-human-rights-infringed-salary/

 

Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A. (2017). Ethics: Theory and contemporary issues. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

By Monash University

 

Monash University’s research team has provided us with a broader perspective on cell reprogramming, changing one type of cell into almost any other cell in the human body. This allows researchers to create any tissue to repair damaged organs and aid in transplantation. Stem cell research is part of the field of regenerative medicine. One long-term goal of such research is to produce new cells, tissues, and organs that can be used to treat disease or injury (Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A., 2017, p.494). 

The discovery of induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells began in 2006. Although the iPS cells could produce any cell, there were risks such as rejection in the human body and limitation of transplantation. More than a full decade has passed, and the mystery of being able to understand the programming factors was unresolved. In 2012, Associate Professor Polo has published three of his studies, shedding new light of evidence.

The first study, published this week in Cell Reports, is the result of an international collaboration led by Associate Professor Polo and Dr. Owen Rackham from Duke-NUS Singapore. It built on landmark research into iPS cells that Associate Professor Polo conducted in 2012, which described a 'roadmap' of what was happening in the process of reprogramming fibroblasts (skin cells) into stem cells. "Before our 2012 study it was a black box about how the fibroblasts used for reprogramming became iPS cells -- we traced the roadmap of what happened," Associate Professor Polo said (Monash University). The roadmap was not the same for every cell type. The path to pluripotency depended on the original cell. In order to further understand the process they needed to look through different lenses, understand how reprogramming transcription factors switched specific genes, and the mechanisms of the chromatin.

 

Co-first author, Monash BDI's Dr. Anja Knaupp added: "Through our molecular analyses we are now able to better understand and consequently improve the reprogramming process which is essential if we want to eventually move this technology into clinical applications," said Dr. Knaupp (Monash University). Over time, their studies have evolved in something that can carry over into medicine. It can help regenerate cells, development, and even cancer. Research in cell reprogramming has brought the team to newer heights, shedding light on the mystery, and has paved the way of the future.

 

References

 

Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A. (2017). Ethics: Theory and contemporary issues. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

 

Monash University. (2017). Suite of Papers Shed Light on Decade-Long Stem Cell Mystery. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171207141818.htm

By Alexa Lardieri

This article covers an incident that brought much attention to New York City. Akayed Ullah, 27 years old, was almost successful in bombing an underground subway platform near Times Square. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio claims there are no other credible threats to the city and no known additional known activities or incidents.

"The choice of New York is always for a reason because we're a beacon to the world and we actually show that a society of many faiths and many backgrounds can work and we show that democracy can work and our enemies want to undermine that and the terrorists want to undermine that," de Blasio said (Lardieri, A. 2017).

We can describe an act of violence as terrorism when this violent act causes or intends to cause widespread terror. Usually this terrifying act has a political goal (although there may be nihilistic terrorists who blow up things just for fun) (Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A., 2017, p.538). 

The city’s Police Commissioner stated that Ullah had been wearing an explosive device strapped to his body. The suspect was reported injured with burns and wounds around his abdomen. He was transferred to Bellevue hospital along with three other people. An ongoing investigation is currently taking place. New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the "reality is, we are a target … but we are a savvy people and we have the best law enforcement on the globe” (Lardieri, A. 2017).

References

Lardieri, A. (2017). Update: Subway Bombing in NYC a Terror Attack. US News. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-12-11/update-subway-bombing-in-nyc-a-terror-attack (Links to an external site.)

Mackinnon, B. & Fiala, A. (2017). Ethics: Theory and contemporary issues. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.