The Dangers of Ritalin :: Argumentative Health ADD Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The parents of six year old James Patrick Smith receive a phone call from the school guidance counselor informing them of their child's recent hyperactive behavior. After a short conference, the guidance counselor suggests to the parents a solution for young James' problem; as a result, the family visits their family doctor and the doctor diagnoses James with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) during a one hour appointment. To remedy the disorder, the doctor prescribes the "savior drug" for ADD patients; children are almost always fed the drug Ritalin, a prescription medicine that packs a strong euphoric punch (Machan 151). The preceding hypothetical situation commonly occurs in the United States at a growing rate which may be too fast for the nation to contain. The over-prescription of the drug Ritalin to correct ADD produces many negative side effects upon patients and society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the vast market of prescription drugs, Ritalin, one of the most highly used drugs, also carries with it some of the greatest medical drawbacks. ADD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stands tall as America's number one psychiatric disorder (Hancock 52). Estimates suggest that more than two million children live with the disorder; in addition, according to Dr. Daniel Safer of Johns Hopkins University, over 1.3 million regularly consume Ritalin for treatment of ADD (Hancock 52). Ritalin appears to be a popular choice for doctors, but the daily effects of the drug, which family physicians do not see, creates questions as to how well the drug actually works. Scientifically know as methylphenidate, Ritalin stimulates the central nervous system with similarities to amphetamines in the nature and extent of its effects; furthermore, it supposedly activates the brain stem arousal system and the cerebral cortex (Bailey 3). The key factor remains that doctors and researchers are not sure of what precisely occurs when Ritalin invades the human body. Hancock notes that no definite long-term studies exist to assure parents that Ritalin does not cause more or less havoc in their child, nor does any disease accompany prolonged usage (52). Testing results released by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in February 1996, show a study of mice in which a rare form of liver cancer arose as a result of Ritalin; however, the FDA still regards Ritalin as "safe and effective" (Hancock 56). Offering almost as many side effects as the number of people who take the drug, Ritalin alters many different aspects of the body. Just a few symptoms cited by Bailey include: nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, dizziness, heart palpitations, headaches, extreme weight loss, skin rashes, possible psychotic episodes, and severe withdrawals (3).

Filipino colony in Borneo Essay

1. The North Borneo Project The Borneo project was a proposition of establishing a Filipino colony in Borneo under the British power. It would have been a great project but, like unfortunate plans, there were hindrances that led to the well-planned project to be left-out and dropped. One of the reasons would be the response of Governor General Eulogio Despujol. It is known that Dr. Jose Rizal sent letters to the Governor General for the approval of the said project. His first letter was not answered therefore Rizal wrote to him again. The letter was well composed in flawless discussion, but even in the respective tone he had noted the Governor’s failure to respond, indicated that the practise of illegal deportation was biased, and that whoever ordered them, bore the load of liability on his conscience. It will be presumed that with those in mind, Rizal would not have a positive response from the Governor. In addition to this, if the Governor approved of the plan, it would reveal to the world that people had been forced to self-exile in order to realize and obtain liberation. Furthermore, it would be an evident offense to renounce Spanish nationality, and a chain of diplomatic events would result from Despujol’s agreement with a foreign power. It would also be taken consideration that this site of the colony, being near to the Philippines, may be used as a base of operation for a revolution. Rizal after days or weeks’ time was informed of the Governor’s response. He thought that it was anti-patriotic and that he strongly rejected the project. He added that it would be best for Rizal to come home, but gave a vague security about guarantees that could be given for his citizenship. Another reason is his negotiations with the British North Borneo. Dr. Jose Rizal, in the absence of the governor, who was on leave, made transactions with the manager, Mr. W.B. Pryer, and the Secretary of the Government, Mister Cook. Both, especially Pryer, showed interest and favour to the said project, offering him good compromises and negotiations. While transacting with Pryer, Dr. Jose Rizal received an outstanding proposition. â€Å"During a period of eight months he had the option to buy 1,000 acres from the company and 5,000 during the next three years, at the price of $6 per acre, payable on terms, and a lease good for 950 years! All these, of course, were subject to the laws of B.N.B.(British North Borneo). The company offered to undertake the construction of buildings and planting of orchards, all payable in three years.† Then, when it came to Mr. Cook, the proposition changed. Cook offered Rizal 5,000 acres of land which came without payment for three years. After a few days, the governor finally received him to hear about his project. Conversely, Rizal learned that that the governor had not confirmed the offer of Cook, but the price would be P3 per acre. He was further disappointed when after two days Pryer wrote that the terms of negotiation has been sent to London for examination. It was not further explained but, in my opinion, Borneo being only a British protectorate, the examination would take a very long process and it is probable that it will not be approved. 2. Establishment of a College in Hong Kong Rizal planned to establish a college in Hong Kong to teach languages, science, and the arts, in the style of the Jesuit colleges. He had even drafted the regulations of the proposed school. The one who was supposed to fund it if ever it pushed through was Mariano Kunanan, a wealthy Pampango capitalist who promised 40,000 pesos to start the school. Having known the opposition of the propaganda to go back to the Philippines, he then with others in Madrid thought of the said project. This way, they still could educate the Filipinos without going back to motherland. In my opinion, their focus in establishing this in Hong Kong is the grounds that this is where most of the exiled Filipinos are sent. In addition, many Filipinos visit Hong Kong in various reasons, especially those who belong to families that are well-to-do, knowing that it is near to the Philippines. Another thing is that he may have thought of going against the wrong ways of teaching and administering of some of the Dominican priests that results them to choose the way of education of the Jesuits.

Sex, Gender and Sexual Orientation are Determined Genetically

Sex, Gender and Sexual Orientation are Determined Genetically Without having any value judgments on sexual deviancy- the word itself many seem to imply disapproval. Whether it be transvestism, voyeurism, exhibitionism, or sadomasochism, sexual deviancy is by many considered unnatural and inhuman. However these two words unnatural and inhuman is exactly what homosexuality is not. The truth is, sexual deviancy is as much a function of biology and as much a product of nature - as the orthodox sexuality which society accepts as natural. Of course some adult sexual orientation is caused by early social conditioning, but through research and hard evidence, scientists have found that sex, gender and sexual orientation are all†¦show more content†¦She describes gender and sexual orientation (to what gender one is attracted to) as a choice one makes. This is, however, is contradictory to her own case. She felt that she was a woman (gender wise), trapped in the body of a man (physically). She never said that she made a choice over what sex s he was attracted to, or what gender she felt she was. She stated that she was just born a boy, with the gender of a woman. Through this example, one would have to assume that homosexuality is the product of biology, not psychology. Science has proven that, much like Bornstein, sex, gender and sexual orientation are separate and interchangeable, but genetically based. The East German scientist, Dr. Gunter Dorner, has devoted his lifes work to the theory that exposure to certain hormones before birth determines sexual inclination. He claims that potential future homosexual behavior can be detected through amniocentesis, the test of the uterine fluid which can reveal Downs syndrome in the unborn child. Dorner further claims that, with prenatal injections, homosexuality can be prevented. The male hormone masculinises the mind, where in the absence of testosterone the brain develops along a naturally female pattern. 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