Brianna Lembach

SAT Videos

March 15, 2009 • No Comments

(teacher told me to remove tags)

Many believe adulthood begins at the age of 18. Others believe 18 is too young. I believe there is no actual age for the beginning of adulthood. Our adulthood begins at the age in which we mature, and everyone matures in their own time. Most people at the age of 18 are still in a kid mind frame. I have seen and heard about too many 18 year olds who have made stupid decisions, some of which have cost them their lives. As teenagers we feel that we are invincible. We are too easily influenced by our peers, which can lead to decisions like smoking, drinking and driving, and drag racing. These decisions can not only endanger their lives, but also the lives of others. I am not saying that all 18 year olds are incapable of making the right decisions, but I feel with age comes experience. Our decisions in life lead us to experience, and experience leads us grow and mature.

The Golden Rule

February 2, 2009 • No Comments

Society today is filled with so much multitasking; we seem to forget little things like common courtesy. Sir Isaac Newton knew that for every action there is a reaction. For example, action, going into a building and having the person in front of you let the door slam in your face. Reaction to this would be you getting hurt if it hits you and becoming engulfed with feelings of anger and inadequacy. Now let’s take the same scenario, but have the person hold the door for you. Reaction to this would be a feeling of significance. Now hopefully, this action will be repeated not only by you, but to whomever you demonstrate this courtesy too.

Do on to others as you would want them to do on to you. Better known as the golden rule, there are references to at least 8 world religions. “Christianity Mathew 7:1 “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” Confucianism “Do not do to others what you would not like yourself.” Analects 12:2. Buddhism “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Judaism Talmud, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man this is the entire law, the rest is commentary.” Shabbat 3id.” (http://www.teachingvalues.com/goldenrule.html). These are just a few of the golden rule teachings. This rule has been taught to us for thousands of years in all different cultures around the world.

The key element of the golden rule is that you should treat all people with the same respect that you expect. Not only are you to be nice to family and friends, but to all people you encounter during the course of your day. It is important to remember the entire Golden Rule. Do unto others as you want them to do unto you. If one only remembers the first part, do unto others, then we are in danger of forgetting common courtesy.

So what does common courtesy and the golden rule have in common? I feel common courtesy is the golden rule. Common courtesy is our respect for our common man. It means treating everyone with respect that is our basic human right. It means kindness for our fellow man no matter what gender, race or age.

What would our world be without common courtesy? People would do what they want, no matter what the consequence. They would park in handicap spaces without being handicap. They would line jump while waiting to go to the movies. They would not care what you had to say, only their opinion matters. They would let the door slam in your face. So in this busy world in which we reside, maybe we should slow down and remember what our ancestors and our parents have tried to teach us.

1st Paragraph on Good Design

January 29, 2009 • No Comments

Our world is a precious gift. We should be doing our best to preserve it. Mankind has forgotten this somehow. We have been wiling to destroy our world just so we can fill up our gas tanks with a nonrenewable resource. We are so dependent on it, we give our money to gas companies who do not care about the well being of America, as long as their profits don’t decline. There is hope however. Americans have seen the importance of being green. To achieve change, we must look for a renewable, constant resource. We need a product that will take something we have an abundance of and turn it into a cleaner alternative fuel source. This product needs to be appealing to the consumer by being functional and affordable. This can better our lives by putting an end to environmental problems such as global warming.

A Jump Into the Gene Pool

December 7, 2008 • 1 Comment

Throughout time, there have been many questions left unanswered, “who committed the crime?” “Why did I get this disease?” “Who are my parents?” These questions remained unanswered until the invention of the DNA test. Law enforcement has been able to use DNA testing in assisting them solve crimes. With DNA evidence, criminals as well as victims have been identified. With DNA testing, parents are able to determine if a disease they have will be passed to their children. Testing can also identify if their family history has inherited disease that is not obvious but they should be aware of. With DNA testing paternity can be proved. Adopted children can possibly identify their birth parents. DNA Testing is an examination of the genetic code to identify a person.

Forensic science is the use of science with law. It has assisted in putting many criminals behind bars, and the solving of many crimes. DNA testing has given us more accurate results in the field of forensics. DNA finger prints are just like our own fingerprints, they differ for everyone. DNA fingerprints are made up of loci. Loci are groups of locations on the DNA. Through the processes of RFLP and PCR, DNA found at crime scenes can be very useful in solving crimes. RFLP is a DNA test that requires a large amount of DNA that is undegraded. It is sometimes more accurate than PCR, but is generally not used anymore. PCR is a DNA test that does not require as much DNA as RFLP and can even use samples that have been somewhat degraded. Unfortunately there is only one problem with the PCR test, because it is so sensitive it may pick up some contaminates form the crime scene, making it somewhat less accurate than the RFLP test. Thanks to DNA testing we have been able to put away many criminals, and on the rare occasion prove the innocence of some.

Our ancestry decides our genetic makeup. Genetics decides what hair, eye and skin color we have as well as many other things. It also decides whether or not we will develop any inheritable diseases. DNA tests may be able to help prevent or at least delay the onset of inheritable diseases. Most of these DNA tests are used to detect constitutional mutations. Constitutional mutations are inheritable diseases are mutations in the DNA strands. If a disease is discovered, medication, surgery or life style changes may be needed. Through these tests we are helping people with these inherited diseases live healthier lives.

Lastly DNA testing has been able to reunite families all over the world, no matter how far the distance. Adopted children have been able to find their birth parents through paternity and maternity tests. Paternity tests are tests performed to determine if an alleged father is the biological father. A maternity test is a test performed to determine if the alleged mother is the biological mother. Samples for the paternity tests are usually taken through a buccal swab. They are used by parents who want to receive custody, or child support. Paternity tests are usually very accurate, the results are even guaranteed. Through DNA tests we are giving individuals who have been searching for each other, the chance to finally meet.

Every day our technology is getting better. DNA testing is the future. No matter how hard we try to ignore it DNA is, and always will be part of our daily lives. DNA testing has been able to make our world a safer place, through RFLP and PCR tests. In addition to making our world safer we have also bettered the lives of those people who have either a chance or inherited a genetic disease. DNA tests have reunited families all over the world, making the world happier place for them. DNA testing has done so much good for our society already who is to say what it will, or won’t do for us in the future. We’ve only just begun.