Do people have a right to kill handicapped person?

I understand it is controversies topic. However, I think John Steinbeck, who wrote the novel, Of Mice and Men, throws this topic to readers. Do people have a right to kill the person who can’t take care or earn oneself, such as Lennie? If you are moral person, you would say absolutely not. However, there are two opposite cases in Japan to consider about this topic. One is that people who has mental disorder hardly ever been excused, even if they commit a crime, such as murder. On the other hand, when the newborn baby has handicap and they need to be cured, the parents could refuse a treatment. To compare the novel, we can replace Japanese court in the first case with the worker in the ranch, and parents in the second case with Candy or George. In my opinion, it is hard to answer the question but we should consider about it forever because both of cases have a lot of disagreement. On that point, if I answer the previous question that whether this novel should be banned or not, I could say "No" because the reader should consider this topic as the response.
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References
Steinbeck, J., (2006). Of Mice and Men. London: Penguin Books Ltd.

The "ticket" to brain

According to “cancer’s one-way ticket to the brain” in Newscientist, there are three key genes to push up the cancer’s cells get into the brain in mice. Before, the scientists wondered that how the cancer cells can get into the brain because there is “blood-brain barrier” which locks the way of cells. Two scientists in New York found the reason how the cancer cells can get into the brain in mice. They discovered 3 genes which support the cancer cells. One of them helps the cancer cells cling to the blood vessels, another helps to make the gap on capillaries, and the last one helps the cancer cells move into.
.This research was done in mice so that they hope “the discovery could one day lead to drugs that cancel out a similar "ticket" in people”. If this research is all right in human, the cancer patients can have more hope.

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References

Cancer’s one way ticket to the brain. ( May 13, 2009). Newscientist. Retrieved May 15, 2009. From http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227074.700-cancers-oneway-ticket-to-the-brain.html

"The science of voodoo: When mind attacks body "

One day night, In Alabama cemetery, Vance Vanders had a qurrel with witch doctor , who stunk in the presence of people. He cursed him that he was about to die and never brought back to life. A few days later, he got sick near death, he was into hospital. A doctor who taken charge the patient couldn’t find a cause for his symptom. Only his wife told to doctor the truth about hex.The doctor called the witch and let him choked witch to know how the curse worked. The doctor found out a secret that was lizard’s egg inside his body. The doctor injected a powerful emetic drug into patient arm. Then he began to gag. Later he recovered after slept a deep sleep.
This is very interesting story. I think that is possible to happen many times. The important thing is how to cope with strange thing. Some people say that is a kind of voodoo nouveau another people says that is a kind of nocebo effect. Whatever the causes are, only good choice escape from injury or minimalise damages.


References

The science of voodoo: When mind attacks body ,
New Scientist, retrieved May14,2009 from
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227081.100-the-science-of-voodoo-when-mind-attacks-body.html.

Vitamin supplements may cut benefits of exercise

It can have been said that free radical can cause the ageing action for a long time. That’s why people intake of antioxidant vitamin. On the other hand, there are other researches that the antioxidants might make death happen faster. What can happen is that the beneficial effects of exercise are hindered.
What exercise makes an effect on insulin resistance is well recognized. “However, when Ristow's team measured the effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity, they found no increase in those volunteers taking antioxidants, but a significant increase in those who didn't take the supplements.” (¶ 5) Ristow also says "antioxidants are preventing the health effects of exercise". (¶ 7) He also says that it is impossible to use of taking antioxidants in place of having fruit and vegetable.
I am interested in this article because I take tablets of vitamin C in order to achieve whitening every day. Therefore, I am confused about new research. It is possible to get demerit at somewher else I don't know. Every time the new study is reported, I wonder which information I should believe. I think there are both advantages and disadvantages, but what important is different for different people. So, I have to acquire knowledge both merits and demerits, not to bother.

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References

Linda, G. (2009, May 11). Vitamin supplements may cut benefits of exercise. New Scientist. Retrieved May 13, 2009from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17108-vitamin-supplements-may-cut-benefits-of-exercise.html

how candidates' physical appearances influence our choice in leaders.

The article, “The Look of a Winner” in Scientific American tells that when people vote or choice their leader, physical appearances of candidates could be a very important factor for their elections. They also shows the interesting result of experiment, which was examined by psychologists in Switzerland, that Swiss children can predict which candidate are more likely to win French parliamentary elections according to candidates’ picture.

I think that is true. For example, the approval rating of prime minister in Japan could be high, when his look is nice, although it always appears only for the beginning. Moreover, when it comes to business, I’ve heard that some Japanese businessmen get facial treatment in order to make contracts with new client, and they succeed to get signs. They said that they could get a kind of confidence after they had facial treatments, then new clients tend to trust them because that confidence would appear in front of clients.What do you think of that? Do you think they are crazy or not?

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References

Christopher Olivola and Alexander Todorov (May 5, 2009 ). The Look of a Winner. Scientific American .

from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-look-of-a-winner&offset=2

Brainy men may be healthier men

Psychologist of King’s College UK, Rosalind Arden, found the new preliminary evidence that is genetic mutation related to intelligence and indicated overall health. She studied of “3654 Vietnam War veterans found that men with lower IQs are more likely to suffer from dozens of health problems” (¶ 2). In contrast, higher IQs will have better life style that lead indirectly to good overall health as Arden said “brighter people make better health decisions – they give up smoking when they find it's bad for you, they take up exercise when they find out its good for you, and they eat a lot of salad” (¶ 5). Other researcher, Mark Porkosch, a psychologist at Elon University in North Carolina his study revealed that “more intelligent men produce healthier sperm” (¶ 8). Therefore, it is necessary for further study to confirm the relation of genetic factors intelligence and overall health.

I think genetic factor are not related to all diseases. Some diseases are caused by other factor in the environment. Form the result of this NEWS, may stimulated Thai researcher to study more about the relation of genetic factors, health and disease because genetics come closer to our routine activity daily life. Do you believe in this NEWS? How much do you know about genetics?

References

Callaway, E. (2009, May 8). Brainy men may be healthier men. New Scientist. Retrieved May 11, 2009
from http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17098-brainy-men-may-be-healthier-men.html?full=true&print=true

Many men suffer recession

Nowadays, almost countries in the world are facing economic recession."Men 'suffering recession blues' " on the BBC News website that I saw, show an interesting information. In England, a mental health charity found that 2.7 million men have a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or stress.Almost 40% of men from the survey of 2,000 adult feel blues with the recession. Moreover, men were also less likely to seek help from their friends, their family, and a counselor because of the belief that being a breadwinner is important for male identity so losing job means men lose their identity. In addition, the cause is "too many men wrongly believe that admitting mental distress makes them weak and this kind of self stigma can cost lives." said Paul Farmer, chief executive at Mind Charity.

This news makes me think about the stigma that there are still stigmas against people with mental illness and this makes people are reluctant to solve their problems.

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References

Men 'suffering recession blues'.(2009, May 10). BBC News. Retrieved May 11, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8040699.stm

Ape escapes, then 'changes mind'

An orangutan, Karta, is 27 years old. She escapes from an Australian zoo by using a branch to “short-circuit” which I found on the BBC News website.Visitors tell staff that Karta has escaped from the zoo.Then the zoo move people to a safer place and close it for one day.Then Karta spend less than 30 minutes to change her mind and come back to her enclosure.Cause of problems is that,Karta is "an ingenious animal",in BBC news .And she stays in a place where she is not accustomed.Also,she always hung on the wall and “drop back”,in BBC news to show clearly what she feel.This is not the first time that Karta escapes from the zoo. After that,the zoo has to refund to visitors for closing a zoo.

I think, we should not think animals are always foolish. Sometimes, animals are cleverer than a human .Moreover; the zoo has to increase their security.

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References

Ape escapes, then 'changes mind'. (2009, May 10). BBC News. Retrieved May, 11 2009 from

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8042705.stm

Thrid death from swine flu in USA

The US has revealed that the 30 years old man with a heart illness who died in Washington state last week was discovered to have the virus. At present, the third death from swine flu is occur in USA. In addition, the other 53 years old man who died in Costa Rica is also infected the flu too. Moreover, in Norway, Australia and Japan are also have people who infect swine flu. The number of these cases increase from 1,639 to 2,254 in one day. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) think that focusing on trends is more significant than numbers.

I was very shock and sad to know this report. This flu is very severe and it spread to many country now. I hope we can control and cope with this situation successfully.

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References

"US reports third swine flu death" (2009, May 10). BBC NEWS. Retrieved May, 11 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8042374.stm

What is Abnormal? Fear, Phobia, and Stigma

I think the stigma attached to having a psychological illness is not as strong as in the past because a psychological illness is got more recognition as illness by public. However, I think that the discrimination for people who are having a psychological illness still remains deeply in my society.
I have been thinking why Peter said the novel we are reading supports this topic. There are no related between this topic and the novel because the main character, Lennie, looks like handicapped. I know this word is including of the expression of discrimination. I look up the word, which is handicapped, after that I found that it is one of the illnesses. It connects “abnormality” which a problem which is “serious enough to disrupt everyday life.”

Difference between normal fear and phobia

In my view,phobia is an irrational and persistent fear that can effect on daily life. Furthermore,It can cause problem to the person who has probic.On the other hand, people are always have fear because fear in approximate level is useful for life; normal fear can protect and save life. As a result, when you can control your fear feeling and can live your daily life as usual without the harm of fear it is does not a phobia but it is a normal fear. For me, fear of dangerous things that can harm our life might be one example of healthy fear because normally people always avoid of some dangerous things and always protect our life so if we have the fear of dangerous things, we will careful and avoid those things.
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Banning Books: A Most Controversial Novel

Although it's one of the most famous novels of the past century, Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is also one of the most controversial, an honour that it shares with Harry Potter! What? You're surprised that Harry Potter is controversial? The American Library Association (ALA) keeps statistics on requests to ban books, and for the years 2000 - 2005, the Harry Potter series is the number one book that people in the US wanted banned (2006). And Of Mice and Men is number 4 on the same list, more than half a century after it was written!  Ever since he published it in 1937, there have been plenty of people who want Of Mice and Men banned, as the ALA statistics for the years 1990 - 2000 also show (2007). 

There are a couple of issues arising from this that I think are worth discussing. First, the general questions:

• Should books ever be banned? 
  
• Does your country ban books? What books are banned in your country? Why? 
• What might be good reasons for banning a book? 
• What are bad reasons for banning a book? 
• Who should decide whether a book is to be banned or not? Government bodies or private bodies? Why should they be the ones to decide? 

And the more specific questions about the controversial novel we are studying:

• Do you think Of Mice and Men should be banned? Why? Why not? 
• Why do you think that so many people have always wanted this novel banned? 
  Do you think those reasons are good or bad? Why? Why not? 
• Should we be studying a novel that is so controversial? Why? Why not? 
• Many American high schools also make Of Mice and Men a set text for their students to study. Do you agree or disagree with that? Why? 

And since this is a response writing, where the primary aim is to express your ideas in clearly written English sentences, you can wander around and away from the topic if that's where your thoughts lead. 

Whilst I think it would be preferable to post your ideas as a comment below, if you would like to write your ideas as a new post, you are welcome to do so. 

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References

American Library Association. (2006, September 21). Harry Potter tops list of most challenged books of 21st Century. ALA: American Library Association. Retrieved on May 10, 2009 from http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2006/september2006/harrypottermostchallenge.cfm

American Library Association. (2007, February 16). The 100 most frequently challenged books of 1990–2000. ALA: American Library Association. Retrieved on May 10, 2009 from http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.cfm

An's opinion on abnormality.

What’s abnormal? We can’t find a right definition for abnormality because it’s up to the way people consider, it maybe right for me but maybe wrong for you. Normally, in our view we always think that those who have some different characters from others are abnormal. But according to Quest 2, that is wrong thinking, abnormality is a serious psychological problem it can disturb your daily life and others.
Normal fear is different from phobia. Normal fear is in everyone, we fear when we have danger but we still can aware and control our mind. However, those who have phobia can’t adjust themselves.
Nowaday, people don’t care much and distinguish abnormal people. But in the past, the one who have abnormality was distinguished and everyone thinks that this person maybe did some bad things so they get bad karma. Anyway, that kind of thinking has gone today.
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Binge Drinking

“Female binge drink rates ‘double”, in BBC, shows that the rate of binge drinking has been increased double in women since 1990 in UK. Another point is the rate of using alcohol of boys and girls at 11 to 15 years old that has been increased since 1990. In the societies which are more developing, there are more social problems. In my view, this result shows one of the reasons that make the value ethics of human is coming down.

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References

“Female binge drink rates ‘double” (2009, May 5). BBC News. Retrieved May, 9 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8034533.stm

Anorexia: Psychology or Physiology?

The article "Anorexia linked to 'autistic' thinking" published recently in New Scientist reports on research which suggests that autism and anorexia nervosa, along with other eating disorders, might in fact be closely related problems (Geddes, 2009). Although this is interesting for treatment options, what interested me more was the information that more than 50%, and up to 83%, of such disorders "have a genetic basis" (¶ 4). I thought this was interesting because it seems to conflict with the idea in Quest 2 that culture is the main causal factor (Hartmann, 2007, p.167-8). In "Culture and Mental Illness", Hartmann implies that there could be no such eating disorder without the cultural component of seeing "slender female bodies [as] most desirable" (p.167). However, if the disorder is in fact genetic, and is passed on from parent to child, then we would expect evidence of eating disorders to exist in all cultures, not just a few. 

My idea, also suggested by Geddes's report, was that because the forms of autism can vary widely, which is why they are called autism spectrum disorders, the cultural background was not really the cause of these disorders, but that it influenced how an underlying genetic disorder was expressed; that is, the culture could strongly determine the specific symptoms of the disorder caused by genes. Perhaps in the past, eating disorders took different forms, or real cases of anorexia nervosa did occur but were simply not recognised and recorded as disorders, as Geddes also tells us some reseachers now think might be the case with Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism that was thought to be more common in males, but which perhaps occurs equally in women, though with different symptoms.  

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References

Geddes, L. (2009, April 22). Anorexia linked to 'autistic' thinking. New Scientist. Retrieved May 8, 2009 from http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227054.900-anorexia-linked-to-autistic-thinking.html 

Hartmann, P. (2007). Quest 2 Reading and Writing (2nd. ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill ESL/ELT

How is a phobia different from a normal fear? What might be some " healthy fears"?

The symptom of phobia is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. Fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of pain. A fear is possible to control. As a result, fear is not disturbing daily life.
I think healthy fears are similar to hypochondriasis, sometimes referred to as “health phobia” Hypochondriasis is often characterized by fears that minor bodily symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one's body. Many individuals with hypochondriasis express doubt and disbelief in the doctors' diagnosis.
References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochondriasis,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phobia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear
www.ilchokak.co.kr(pp308~312, p338)

Daniel, on dictionaries

Daniel, on dictionary



I have three dictionaries. One is electronic dic, another is “ LONGMAN Contemporary English and the others is “E4U English Korean dictionary.
That is, one is electronic dictionary others are all books. I like “LONGMAN” as book dictionary because there are many pictures for help understanding. In addition, book dictionary has many examples. So I like LONGMAN. Electronic dictionary has also many benefits. A benefit of electronic dics are extensive contents which developing of semiconductor. When I was student, it was impossible to choice a electronic dic. Because at that time, people couldn’t buy the electronic dic. What’s the good or bad dictionary? I Good dictionary come with many explains and examples. I think the most important thing is not a dictionary. Passions, will and effort to study are the best important keys.

Unification of carmaker

German Car maker Porsche and VW to merge

Have you ever driven Porsche? I read interesting news in BBC. That is German luxury carmaker Porsche and Volkswagen to merge in the near future. After moving, integration brand will be leading company in the world.

I think carmaker has so many that can not survive in the business circles.
Volkswagen has nine brands such as Passat, Golf, Jetta, Phaeten, etc. VW’s cars are not too expensive except Phaeten, Porsche’s sports cars are expensive. The vehicle such as expensive car and inexpensive one combine each other and then company produces new car, consumers are will be expect new car.

References"Carmakers Porsche and VW to merge" (2009, May 6). BBC NEWS. Retrieved May, 8 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8036748.stm

Abnormal

Answering the third question of exercise C on page 176 of Quest. Phobia is a strong unreasonable fear or hatred of something but fear is the bad feeling that you have when you are in danger. Fear’ll become unhealthy when you frighten about food such as you’re very worry about how clean in food that you eat? So that you cannot eat anything. Moreover, fear’ll become abnormal when it becomes serious enough to disrupt everyday life.For instance, you can’t go or do anything because you embarrass yourself in a public. Fear is normal and healthy when you frighten in something, which is unnecessary in your life. For example, frighten to drink too much alcohol. It is normal and to be good with your health. Nowadays, I think people that have a psychological illness will stigma attached as strong as in the past. They think that it is abnormal to having a psychological and a few of people go to seek the help of psychologists.

Abnormal in my idea

Most people always think that mental disorder patient are the same. Those people unable to distinguish the difference of an abnormal behavior. According to the passage, the three ways of defining abnormality which are deviations from the majority, an inability to get along in the world and prolong psychological stress. (“Quest 2”, 2007. ¶3-5,p.173). The passage helps me to understand the patient accurately such as how to deal with the mental disorder patient in case they are your parents. Refer to the passage, I realize that fear influence to health problem. When psychological problems stay longer and becomes serious enough to disrupt everyday life that it becomes an abnormality or illness (“Quest 2”, 2007. ¶5,p.173).

Thai people have bad attitude to the mental disorder patients. Most of them think that the patient and mad people are the same. Some parts of Thailand which are an uneducated still misunderstand about mental disorder patient. They believed that it belong to religion, spirit and soul the religion and treat in a wrong way. However, we can change the social attitude by improving the knowledge, education and public relation. Moreover, we can change our attitude by the time. Time change, social change people change, finally we can change attitude.

The famous writer who suffered from Psychological disorder.

Answering the third question of exercise C. on page 176 of Quest, I know one famous person who suffered from a psychological disorder. His name is Osamu Dazai who is considered one of the Japanese foremost fiction writers of 20th-century. Even though, he is famous for his incredible books, such as “Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human, 1948, translated. 1958)”, and “Shayo (The Setting Sun, translated 1956)” , he was known as having Borderline Personality Disorder which is a mild form of schizophrenia on the borderline between neurosis and psychosis. Then, he had so much alternative attitude, such as extreme dependence and against for the same person, and he tried to suicide such 4 times in his life.

However modern psychological doctors say that it is incredible for that he could wrote such great books because, generally, people who are suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder can not exercise their ability well. I have read some of his books. I think he can describe his story as if real story but most of them are so serious that reader would feel depressed. As knowing his background, you would probably understand how hard his life with the psychological disorder was when you read his book.

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References
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Osamu Dazai"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osamu_Dazai

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Borderline personality disorder"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder