Genetic Engineering of Animals: Benefits

Genetic Engineering of Animals: Benefits Animal genetic engineering has existed for thousands of years in the form of selective breeding. People have chosen desirable characteristics for appearance, survival traits, and other qualities in animals they wish to obtain in future offspring. They then bred these animals to selected mates in order to increase likelihood of offspring inheriting these desired traits. More recent definitions of genetic engineering define it as the manipulation or modification of the genetic code of selected animals to alter characteristics and to introduce certain desired traits by changing the cells genome. This can be done by adding to or deleted from DNA or substitution of certain genes. This form of manipulating DNA is a very new technology. This type of engineering was made possible over many years of research and significant findings that has led to what is now the understanding of DNAs structure, purpose, and properties. First studies of manipulation were conducted on bacteria such as E. Coli before animals were experimented with beginning in 1982 with mice. While genetic engineering is a new exciting and fascinating discovery for scientific research with unlimited range of possibilities, it raises moral and ethical concern. It is a highly controversial topic this day in age. Questions have been raised about the extent that animals can be treated to conditions and procedures considered to be unethical for humans. Debates regarding animals rights to not be inflicted with pain or caused suffering of the animal are considered against benefits for human interests. Many arguments about animals consciousness, self-awareness, cognitive and language capacity, morals, quality of life, and evolutionary status have been evaluated in hopes to find differences between humans and animals. If a moral standard could be clearly defined this could justify treating animals to extreme laboratory harms. There is a wide range of opinion regarding the weight that should be accounted to human and animal interests. At one ends of the bar there are what is called an absolutist positions, people that feel human benefits are always significantly more important to animal interests. The opposing view is that if it is certain experiments should not be conducted on humans, they should also not be conducted on animals. Within this group there are two sub categories of opinion. Some activists object to experiments which cause animals pain and suffering, while others object to all human uses of animals. In order to find common ground between the two extremes a strict set of research guidelines has been established to find morally but beneficial genetic engineering on animals. Some basic criteria for animal research are as follows. Animal housing and care are provided with proper food, water, and cleanliness. Discomfort, distress and pain are minimal using appropriate medication, and without unnecessary pain inflicted. Clear objectives and procedures are defined and carried out. All experiments using animals must undergo a protocol ethical review. Al l investigators that handle and use animals have to be appropriately trained and qualified to work with the animals. If it is necessary to administer euthanasia, is should be carried out according to good practice and used appropriately. The studies have to have a worthwhile beneficial outcome for human, animal, or medical use. Lastly the benefits of the study must justify and outweigh the harm done to the animal. Animal research is a necessary, highly beneficial to genetic research and can be ethical if conducted properly. There are a huge variety of benefits that genetic engineering in animals has provided not only for human uses but for animal gain as well as insight into evolution of species. The largest use of animals is for medical advancements. Most of the work done is applied to medical or biological research intending to understand gene function and regulation as well as study human or animal disease. Animals can be used to alter their DNA sequences to see the results. It is now known today many gene functions and causes of disorders from animal DNA analysis. The capability to replace or change single genes, or even delete them, can help investigate the natural functions of a gene, the mechanisms in the body that control it or affect it, and the relationship between genes and environmental factors. This information has provided insight to how genes function and ways to alter these genes in order to prevent diseases and disorders. The ability to investigate the genomes of mice has revealed proce sses where genes are turned on or off, and cell tissues become differentiated. Many different mouse genes have been altered to mimic human diseases are used in studying the mechanisms that the disorders are caused by, and are being used towards developing more effective treatments. Humans have greatly benefited from these findings especially in the advancements of treating diseases such as cancer. Drugs can also be tested on these genetically engineered animals to see how they will affect processes such as cell replication and destruction. These animals provide an unlimited range of knowledge and opportunity for new technology and advances in the medical field. Animal genetic engineering has also provided advances in the industrial world as well. Genetically modified farm animals were used in scientific research procedures for a range of potential and actual benefits. A better understanding of disease resistance in livestock has been found and can now be applied to other animals to produce more disease resistant livestock. Genetic modification of cows may production of milk with enhanced nutritional quality in the future. Farm animals have also been genetically modified to increase productivity, for example animal growth rate, wool quantity, or milk production. Genetic engineering has also been used to select for genetic factors associated with more viable characteristics of livestock as well as to make livestock more suitable for harsh factory farm conditions. These are just a few benefits animal engineering provides and many more will come in the future. Genetic engineering is made possible by the unique properties of DNA. DNA is a double stranded helical structured with nucleotide base pairs held together in the middle with hydrogen bonds. This weak form of bond allows the strands to separate to be replicated easily. DNA is tightly wound into chromosomes. Genes are formed by the different nucleotide sequencing on the DNA strand. These genes code for a certain trait in the organism. The genetic makeup of the organism is called the genotype; the physical or observable trait that they code for is called the phenotype. This phenotype might be an appearance, a survival characteristic, or more desirable quality for the species. Understanding of the structural and function properties of DNA allows researchers to isolate genes, and manipulate them in a variety of ways. There are numerous methods of genetic manipulation so I will only briefly discuss a few select types. DNA recombinant techniques use vectors such as plasmids and viruses that carry foreign genes into host cells. This method is most often used to alter bacterial genomes. The plasmid circles can be broken allowing new genetic material to be inserted in them. This is done by treating the bacteria and a specific gene with a restriction enzyme so ends of each will join with each other on contact. Plasmids with new genetic material can pass across the cells plasma membrane and insert the new genetic material into the bacteriums own genes. The bacteria will add the gene to its sequence and begin to produce the protein that it codes for. Viruses, which are infectious particles of genetic material, act similarly to plasmids as vectors in genetic engineering. The virus carries the gene into a host cell similar to plasmids. Researchers can choose the bacteria that have the new genes absorbed into them and use those bacteria to place the gene into the desired animal. Microinjection is a method that does not use biological vectors of plasmids and viruses. This method involves injecting genetic material with new genes into the recipient cell. When the cell is large enough, like many animal cells, the process can be done with a glass needle. After the injected genes find the host cells DNA sequence they can incorporate themselves into the strand. This is one of the simplest methods of gene manipulation. Bioballistics is a method that use metal slivers to carry the genetic material to the inside of the cell. The small metal pieces are coated with genetic material. It injects the pieces into the cell using a gun like apparatus. A perforated metal plate stops the cartridge, but the small pieces are allowed to pass through into the living cells. Inside the cell, the genetic material is carried to the nucleus and is incorporated into the cells genes. The cells take up the gene are programmed to replicate it. This is the most successful way for the insertion of genes into plant cells but can but can be used in animals as well. Genes are chemical compounds, so they can be manipulated in the same way as other chemical compounds can be manipulated. DNA molecules are large and complex, so the task of manipulation is extremely difficult. However, chemists know techniques in order to cut molecules apart and then put them back together very carefully with high technological instruments. This procedure is known as gene splicing. This method of gene splicing can happen naturally in cells during such processes as division or repair. Cells take genes apart, rearrange their material, and put them back together in a new sequence or arrangement. Discoveries show that cells have certain enzymes that can disassemble DNA molecules and put reassemble them again. Such as endonucleases which are enzymes that can cut a DNA molecule at some given sequence location. Another example is exonucleases are enzymes that can remove one nitrogen base from the DNA stand. A third type is ligases that are enzymes that can join two DNA segm ents back together. Researchers can use knowledge from these natural methods to artificially alter genes using tools such as submicroscopic scissors and glue. With these they can rearranged one or more DNA molecules by cutting them apart, reordering them, and the put back together again. There are so much undiscovered possibilities in genetic engineering that it is nearly impossible to predict what the future can hold. Some potential fields of research are more advances with stem cell research, advances in replacement organs grown form cells, new genetically altered fetuses. There will be more treatment methods for diseases as well as preventions by gene alterations. The possibilities are endless and there is a lot of research being conducted that is not even published yet. Genetic engineering in animals is of particular interest to me because my family has been in the business of genetic alterations for over thirty years through selective breeding. We own a livestock farm, raising sheep and goats primarily for livestock judging competitions, but as well as for milk production and wool production. Every year we attend approximately twenty fairs or shows throughout New England to have our animals evaluated against competition to be critiqued for desirable qualities and structure based on the ideal species score card. The judge places these animals based on which animal contains the most desirable combination of traits. In order for my family to obtain quality animals we must carefully take into consideration each judges review of the animal in order to select a mate that will compliment its strength and has a high likelihood of improving flaws in the offspring. It is a long and tedious process to improve quality of the show herd; it takes years of trial and error to find suitable mates to produce the desirable offspring. Having an understanding of how genes are inherited allows for us to choose a male mate for our females by examining his offspring and seeing the ratios of how many have the trait we are looking for and estimating if there will be a high likelihood we could obtain the trait as well. We also look at the males parents to see what the parental generation had for phenotypic traits. Although we do not use high genetic methods to create our genetically engineered livestock it is a careful science that takes years of practice in order to know how to find a mating that will give us an increase in desirable traits in order to continue to do as well as we do on the show circuits. Here is a small anecdote to show my interest in this topic: when I first took a genetics class in high school I learned how to calculate genotypes using the punnett square. This interested me so much I sat down and tried to draw a pedigree to pr edict the genotypes of my black versus white sheep and the likelihood of each of their genetic make ups based on their parents and the offspring they have produced. I was able to determine white is recessive to black and which sheep were heterozygous or homozygous for many of them. Selective breeding is a very important method for my familys business without it there would be a lot of difficulty maintaining and improving the high quality livestock show herd we have. Genetic engineering in animal species has come a long way from simple matings to complex technology manipulating genomes. There are benefits including medical advances for humans, disease prevention for animals, and industrial production gains. These benefits can be obtained as long as the research stays within the set ethical guidelines. There are many methods to alter the DNA sequence such as recombinants with vectors and plasmids, microinjections, bioballistics, and gene splicing. Genetic engineering will continue to advance and hold great promise for opportunity for future advances. Work cited Boyd Group. 1999. Genetic engineering: animal welfare and ethics. Retrived15. Nov. 2010.  http://www.boyd-group.demon.co.uk/genmod.htm Monaco, Michael. Genetic Engineering in Animals. Retrieved 14, Nov. 2010.  http://www.govhs.org/vhsweb/Gallery.nsf/Files/Genetic+Engineering,+a+group+project/$file/animal.html Van Eenennaam, Allison. Genetic Engineering and Animals Agriculture. University of  California. Retrived 15, Nov. 2010. http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8184.pdf Union of Concerned Scientists. Genetic Engineering Techniques. 2003. Retrieved 15, Nov.  2010. http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/science/genetic-engineering-techniques.html West, Chad. 2006. Economics and Ethics in Genetic Engineering of Animals. Harvard  Journal of Law and Technology. Retrieved 15, Nov. 2010.  http://jolt.law.harvard.edu/articles/pdf/v19/19HarvJLTech413.pdf

Incarceration of African American Males Essay

Introduction The trend of African American males between the ages of 25 and 29 has seen a dramatic increase of incarceration. Attention has been focusing on areas of housing, education, and healthcare but the most prominent problem for African American males is the increase in the incarceration rate. African American males between the ages of 25 and 29 incarceration rate has been thought, by many, to be caused by economic factors such as under employment or unemployment, poor housing, lack of education, and lack of healthcare. Yet, others believe it is due to the imbalance of minorities within the criminal justice system, such as judges, lawyers, and lawmakers. This paper will explore two different outlooks; society has come up with so far, as to why African American Males between the ages of 25 and 29 are increasingly incarcerated. Finally, the information will give awareness to the problems that is faced by African American Males between the ages of 25 and 29. Prevalence – Problem 1 More than 40% of all American prisoners, men and women, are African American men, yet they make up just 13% of the U. S. male population (Roberts, 2004). This statistic does not include those African American men who are in local jails nor does it include those African American men under custodial supervision (Table 2). They enter the state and federal prison system, at the prime of their economic and reproductive lives and yet they exit prison behind both economically and socially. The high rate of incarceration among African Americans has been noted by the interconnection of poor economy, lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, absence of a strong black male role model, lack of access to education, or some type of combination of these factors. Statistics don’t even give African American males a good chance to stay out of jail. They have a one in four chance of being incarcerated, while Hispanic American males have a one in six chance, and white males only have a one in twenty three chance of incarceration. The color of African Americans sets them apart and makes them targetable. Prevalence – Problem 2 There is evidence, in our American Justice System, of structural inequality as seen in the percentages of minorities to the percentage of majorities employed in high ranking positions, within the system. The percentage of United States judges by race are 79% Caucasian, 12% African American, and 2% Hispanics American (Federal Judicial Center, 2012), as for the thousands of lawyers in the United States it is approximate of 3% are African American (National Law Group, 2010-2011), and about 1 in 4 police officers are members of a racial or ethnic minority in 2007 (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013). An investigation into racial profiling showed that African American and Hispanic American offenders, who often are young unemployed males, are more likely than their white counterparts (Spohn, C., 2000). Their prison sentences are also typically longer or they receive differential benefits from guideline departures than do similarly situated white offenders (Spohn, C. , 2000). We must acknowledge the problems of racial disparity within the criminal justice system, communicate racial disparity within the criminal justice system with those we who are not informed of the problem, and stay committed to changing racial disparity within our justice system for change to begin. Causes In researching the high rate of incarceration in America it is more likely than not that the increase in African American Males being incarcerated is due to the War on Drugs (Table 1). It is public knowledge that drug crime ranks high among the effects of poverty. These poor neighborhoods not only endure crime they have poor schools, poor food, cramped living areas, and shortage of jobs if any jobs at all. Drugs and drug crime has become regularity in low income communities, arrests of Hispanics made up 55% of cocaine powder offences and 52% of marijuana offenses and 49% involving opiates: African Americans were suspected in 75% of crack cocaine cases; White males were suspected in 41% all methamphetamine cases (Motivans, M. , 2011). Decades of failed public and private remedies for chronic disparities and disadvantages in communities of color invite us to reexamine systems and institutions that provide and restrict opportunity in new ways (Lawrence, K. , 2011). The causes seem to be intertwined being poor equals, equals a poor education, equals lack of employment, and ultimately equals an increased rate of crime. Consequences The causes seem to be intertwined being poor, equals lack of education, which equals lack of employment, which equals increased rate of crime which equals impossibility to join criminal justice system. Also, many of these men are incarcerated while all the other non-incarcerated American young men are finishing school, starting careers, earning seniority at work, marrying and having children thus gaining capital. Even when released from prison, these men return back to their communities with a felony record that will pose extreme problems for them. The incarceration leads the released convict into a lower social class even if they were considered lower class Americans prior to their incarceration; they now are lower in social class standing in most instances. This leads to a poor African American community, perhaps as many as 50% of the male population will have been in prison. These incarcerated African American Males, who are in their prime of life, also are leaving half the families in this community facing such things as poverty, lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance abuse, violence, absence of a strong black male role model, lack of access to education, or some type of combination of these factors. The community ultimately will become poverty stricken, struggling to survive, and ultimately vulnerable to the situation repeating. Solutions – How can this be changed? There are four key aspects to addressing racial disparity, in my opinion: 1. Acknowledge 2. Communication 3. Setback = Strength 4. Commitment Not only is the problem of racial disparity under recognized by society it is not being communicated effectively to make change. Majority groups needs to acknowledge racial disparity and minority groups need to communicate their knowledge regarding racial disparity. As each group majority and minority begins to become share their information with each other and work together for a common solution acknowledging there will be setbacks but with continued commitment systemic change will happen. Conclusion By refusing to tolerate disparate treatment of people of color or anyone within the criminal justice system we empower ourselves and our country. It is time that everyone including our legislators, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges work collectively and courageously to eradicate this negative stigma. Despite, America being known for its equal rights we are living proof that in this era inequality is a factor that cannot be taken lightly. The statistics that are surrounding African American males is astounding. We need to empower African American males with the knowledge that they have a one in four chance of becoming incarcerated. It is also important to know that Hispanic males have a one in six chance, and white males have a one in twenty three chance of incarceration. All of these statistics need to be addressed to empower each and every one us. Throughout history we have not seen a change in majority groups (White, Male) and minority groups (Women, anyone that is not White) although we have seen numbers of minorities increasing at a fast pace. Today, however, the election of Barack Obama, not once but twice, may set the new ideal of what an American actually is. As we embrace different cultures and their ethnic backgrounds society will prosper. As society increases their knowledge, in regards to each person’s differences, they will acquire greater strength and prosperity. The only issue, that can occur, will be in the short term empowering others to embrace diversity. When we look beyond short-term, focus will shift to diverse empowerment through embracing the knowledge of our differences thus making us stronger as a society. TABLE 1: BLACK PROPORTION OF DRUG ARRESTS, EXCLUDING MARIJUANA POSSESSION YEAR BLACK % 1999 40. 1 2000 39. 3 2001 39. 1 2002 35. 8 2003 33. 8 2004 33. 1 2005 33. 2 Data calculated from drug arrest figures by race provided by the Uniform Crime Reports division of the FBI TABLE 2: FBI CRIME REPORT Arrests By Race, 2006 [11,249 agencies; 2006 estimated population 216,685,152] Total White Black American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian or Pacific islander Total White Black American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian or Pacific Islander TOTAL 10,437,620. 7270214 2924724 130589 112093 100. 0 69. 7 28 1. 3 1. 1 Drug abuse violations 1376192 875101 483886 8198 9607 1000 63. 6 35. 1 0. 6 0. 7 DUI’S 1034651 914226 95260 13484 11681 100 88. 4 9. 2 1. 3 1. 1 Liquor laws 466323 398068 50035 12831 5389 100 85. 4 10. 7 2. 8 1. 2 Drunken-ness 408439 344155 54113 7884 2287 100 84. 3 13. 2 1. 9 0. 6 Dis-orderly conduct 5117264 325991 179733 7606 3934 100 63. 0 34. 7 1. 5 0. 8 (The FBI: Uniform Crime Report, 2010) References Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013, http://bjs. ojp. usdoj. gov/index. cfm? ty=tp&tid=71 The FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2010, Table 43, http://www. fbi. gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u. s/2010/crime-in-the-u. s. -2010/tables/table-43 Federal Judicial Center, 2012, Overview of the United States Court System, http://www. fjc. gov/public/pdf. nsf/lookup/FJC_Standard_PPT_English_June_2012. pdf/$file/FJC_Standard_PPT_English_June_2012. pdf Lawrence, K. , 2011, Race, Crime, and Punishment: Breaking the Connection in America. http://www. aspeninstitute. org/sites/default/files/content/docs/pubs/Race-Crime-Punishment.pdf Motivans, Mark, 2011, Washington, DC: US Dept. of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, http://bjs. ojp. usdoj. gov/content/pub/pdf/fjs09. pdf National Law Group 2010-2011, http://blacklawyers. net/ Roberts, D. , 2004, Measuring the Social and Moral Cost of Mass Incarceration, in African American Communities, http://www. law. fsu. edu/faculty/2003-2004workshops/roberts. pdf Spohn,C. ,2000, Thirty Years of Sentencing Reform: The Quest for a Racially Neutral Sentencing Process, http://www. justicestudies. com/pubs/livelink3-1. pdf.

Coca Cola Swot Analysis

Company background: The Coca cola company is now a largest soft drink company in the world. Coca cola became the largest manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups which operate in more than 200 countries. Coca cola was invented on May 1886 by Dr. John Stith Pemberton in Jaco’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. The name Coca cola was suggested by Pemberton’s book keeper, Frank Robinson. He penned the name Coca cola in the flowing script that is famous today. Strengths: Coca cola has been a complex part of the American culture for over a century. The images of the products has landed in many broadbands, and there pictures were taken deeply in the heart. The image is printed on posters, T-shirts, and hats. This is the most successful brand popularize in the world. In 2006, Coca cola is become one of the leading brand in globe top 100 brands. â€Å"Enjoy more than 685 moillion times a day around the world Coca cola stands as a smple, yet powerful symbol of quality and environment†(Allen,1995). Today, almost 230 kinds of products were produced in more than 200 countries, and the company is never give up to extend new market. Coca cola has the most workable bottling system, which allow the products packed to can, plastic bottles and glass bottles, that means their coke can meet different request for different consumers. In addtionally, Coca cola allow their authorised the local company to sell the products, it is a way to save time and money to built the transport network. Apart from the above strengths, Coca cola has a huge market share, which is about 44%, is higher than it’s competitor—Pepsi. This means people are more likely to buy products from Coca cola. For Coca cola, the market share rate is a important and useful power to grow and can help the company earn more revenue. Weakness: Health is an important issue in 21st century. As we know, coke contains high sugar and caffeine content. In Sempeteber 2006, the company received a report from Center for Science and Environment (CSE), which shows their products included chemicals could causes osteoporosis, damage the reproductive system and cancers (Scribd, 2006). This report will put the Coca cola in a very negative place, with any help for their brand and products. Due to 2006, cash which invested in operating activities was decreased in 7% compared with 2005. Net cash provide by operating activities is also less than the previous year. With a series of problems, their market share is decreasing during the year. This may cause financial problesm such as not enough money to invest in newly growing market. Coke is a product, it should be sold by retailers. However, some larege retailers have exclusive contracts with Pepsi and do not stock Coca cola’s products, such as KFC. This is an abuse, and may cause market share loss. These retailers like KFC are shopped all over the world, over two million dolars loss due to this reason. Oppotunities: Nowadays, from American south coast to a small country in China, from Moscow to Sydney, buy a bottle of Coca cola is the most easiest thing. Although Coca cola is a worldwide brand, it’s products are sold around the world, there still have some markets need investment. Because there is no current brand could compete with them, expansion into third world countries is the easiset than ever before. The population in thrid countries is two times more than developed countries. This is a big market for Coca cola to improve and these markets can make the revenue growing like a rocket. Because bottle water can increasing health concems, bottle water market is becoming a fast-growing market in these years. In 2006, approximately 15. 6 million dolars were earned in US bottle water market. In the bottle water market, flavoured water is a part which growing by about 10 billion dolars annually. Coca cola could use their market leader position to invest in flavored water market to take advantage of growing demand. Young people are more likely to choose coke, especially in Lartin American countries and Asia countries, more and more young people are contribute to their revenue. Ohterwise, carbonated beverages are very compatible with American fast food culture, therefore there are many retailers are shopped with Coca cola. Threats: Competition between each company is a big problem. The company faces competition in beverages market from local firm as well as globe players. Also, the company faces various competition nonalcoholic beverages such as juice, friut drinks. In many countries which Coca cola sell it’s products, there should be their primary competitior—Pepsi. Other competitor such as Kraft Foods, Nestle. Competitive factors impacting the company’s business include pricing, advertising, sales promotion programs, brand and trademark development and protection. There competition could impact Coca cola’s market share and revenue growth rate. For some political reasons, middle east countries boycotting US brands, which will influence Coca cola’s globe market plan and revenue. Consumers are start to look the better drinks whcih will not cause health problems. This has led to a decrease in the comsumption of carbonated and other sweetened beverages. Moreover, the US is the company’s core market, Coca cola already expect its performance in the region to be sluggish during 2007. Coca cola’s revenue could be adversely affected by a slowdown in the carbonated beverage market. Target consumer: Coca-Cola main objectives are to supply everyone their favourite drink and to satisfy the consumer needs and wants. Coca-Cola second main objectives are to provide profit to the shareholders and increase the market share. Target consumer is a set of buyers sharing common needs or characteristics that the company decides to serve. The company's beverages are generally for all consumers. However, there are some brands, which target specific consumers. For example, Coca-Cola's diet soft drinks are targeted at consumers who are older in age, between the years of 25 and 39. PowerAde sports water target those who are fit, healthy and do sport. Winnie the Pooh sipper cap Juice Drink target children between the ages 5-12. This type of market approach refers to market segmentation. The Coca-Cola Company when advertising, has a primary target market of those who are 13-24, and a secondary market of 10-39. The Coca-Cola Company's products include beverage concentrates and syrups, with the main product being finished beverages. The business has over 300 brands of beverages around the world with the main ones being Coke, Fanta, Lift, Sprite, Frutopia 100% Fruit Juice, and PowerAde. The Coca-Cola Company packages its beverages into plastic bottles of sizes 2 litres, 1. 25 litres, 600mL and 300mL. These are also available in aluminium cans of 375mL. Coca-Cola is the most well known trademark, recognised by 94 per cent of the world's population. The business is very successful and holds a very good reputation. Allen J. 1995, Coca cola SWOT analysis, viewed 23 March 2010, http://www. coca-cola. com. Scribd 2006, Scribd, viewed 21 March 2010,http://www. scribd. com/doc/9995196/Swot-Analysis-of-Coca-Cola. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/coca-cola accessed 31 October 2009.

Is The Mass Incarceration Of Blacks The New Jim Crow

Is the Mass Incarceration of Blacks the new Jim Crow? American has a legacy of the mistreatment and disenfranchisement of African Americans. The same bad treatment that many think only took place in the past is in fact still intact, it’s just presented in a new way. The mass incarceration of blacks in the Unites States can be attributed to the â€Å"racial hierarchy† that has always existed. The U.S contributes to about 5% of the worlds overall population, and about 25% of the worlds prison population (Holland 1), â€Å"if those rates reflected jail, probation and parole populations, the numbers would rise exponentially†(Griffith 9). Statics show that there is a chance that about 1 in 3 black males are expected end up in prison (Jacobson). Although, in terms of the entire United States population African Americans only make up about 13% (Prison Activist Resource Center. Racism Fact Sheets: â€Å" Latinos and the Criminal Injustice System.† 2003). There i s a huge number of African Americans involved in the criminal justice system in some way. The average person does not know about mass incarceration nor about the racism that is in just about every part of the criminal justice system. When most people think about racism their thoughts often drift to slavery or Jim Crow laws, but for most, they do not consider how the amount of African Americans in prison today could be due to bias or racism. A significant cause of mass incarceration is the same racism that produced the Jim Crow era. JimShow MoreRelated The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander1182 Words   |  5 PagesThe New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness is a book by Michelle Alexander, a civil rights litigator and legal scholar. The book discusses race-related issues specific to African-American males and mass incarceration in the United States. Michelle Alexander (2010) argues that despite the old Jim Cro w is death, does not necessarily means the end of racial caste (p.21). In her book â€Å"The New Jim Crow†, Alexander describes a set of practices and social discourses that serve toRead MoreThe New Jim Crow : Mass Incarceration1370 Words   |  6 PagesThe New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness shatters this dominantly held belief. The New Jim Crow makes a reader profoundly question whether the high rates of incarceration in the United States is an attempt to maintain blacks as an underclass. Michelle Alexander makes the assertion that â€Å"[w]e have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it† using the criminal justice system and colorblind rhetoric. (Alexander 2). The result is a population of Black andRead MoreThe New Jim Crow Law1014 Words   |  5 PagesMass incarceration is known as a net of laws, policies, and rules that equates to the American criminal justice system. This series of principles of our legal system works as an entrance to a lifelong position of lower status, with no hope of advancement. Mass incarceration follows those who are released from prison through exclusion and legalized discrimination, hidden within America. The New Jim Crow is a modernized version of the original Jim Crow Laws. It is a modern racial caste system designedRead MoreThe New Jim Crow?919 Words   |  4 PagesAlexander, the author of The New Jim Crow, did not see the prison systems as racially motivated until doing further research. After researching the issue, Alexander found the prison system was a way to oppress African Americans and wrote the novel The New Jim Crow. The New Jim Crow follows the history of the racial caste system and in the novel Alexander comes to the conclusion that the mass incarceration of African American is the New Jim Crow, or in other words a new system of black oppression. Though someRead MoreThe, Jim Crow And Mass Incarceration1056 Words   |  5 Pages Michelle Alexander writes and speaks about the 3 caste systems slavery, Jim Crow Laws, and mass incarceration. She asserts that racial separation has not gone away but rather morphed into present mass incarceration. Racial segregation has taken a new form and exists in prison systems and in socio-economic ways Caste system locks people up literally virtually. Alexander writes, â€Å"Jim Crow and mass incarceration have similar political origins. As described in chapter 1, both caste systems were bornRead MoreThe New Jim Crow : Mass Incarceration1361 Words   |  6 PagesBook Review Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness The premise of the ‘The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness’ by Michelle Alexander, is to refute claims that racism is dead and argue that the War on Drugs and the federal drug policy unfairly targets communities of color, keeping a large majority of black men of varying ages in a cycle of poverty and behind bars. The author proves that racism thrives by highlighting theRead MoreThe New Jim Crow : Mass Incarceration1081 Words   |  5 Pages Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness outlines how the criminal justice system has systematically designed new methods of discriminating against African Americans. The book advocates for racial justice, specifically, for African Americans and contends they [African Americans] were targeted and subsequently incarcerated, by white voters and public officials, through the War on Drugs campaign. President Reagan and his Administration exploited racialRead MoreMichelle Alexander Mass Incarceration1601 Words   |  7 Pagespublished the book  The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. In it, she argues that systemic racial discrimination in the  United States  has resumed following the  Civil Rights Movements gains; the resumption is embedded in the US  War on Drugs   and other governmental policies and is having devastating social consequences. She considers the scope and impact of this current law enforcement, legal and penal activity to be comparable with that of the  Jim Crow laws  of the 19th andRead MoreResponse Paper to Michelle Alexanders The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness743 Words   |  3 PagesThe New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness was written by Michelle Alexander to expose the truth of racial injustice in the system of mass incarceration through the comparison of the racial control during the Jim Crow Era. She reveals how race plays an important role in the American Justice System. Alexander argues about the racial bias, particularly towards African-Americans, immanent in the war on drugs as a result of their lack of political power and how the Supreme CourtRead MoreMass Incarceration Is Defined As The Imprisonment Of A Large Amount Of People1439 Words   |  6 PagesAt the simplest level, mass incarceration is defined as the imprisonment of a large amount of people. However, that does not tell the whole story. The majority of people incarcerated are minorities, and although mass incarceration began as a system of unjust racial and social control, today it continues for many political reasons including government grants, swaying voter opinion, and for-profit prison revenue. The United States incarcerates more people, per capita, than any other nation in the