This is a Book report see details below Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

This is a Book report see details below - Essay Example Jesus as a figure in history is undoubtedly a very important and pertinent topic for today. There is a persistent question about Jesus that defies an easy answer. Which Jesus is easier to accept and believe The Jesus that the gospels proclaim as the Son of God who came to be born of a virgin with his divine attributes and claims, two millennia ago Or the Jesus that history is willing to accept and record to the extent science and circumstances allow us to explain and prove This treatise is intended to explore the aspect of Jesus as an historical figure. For this purpose, it is necessary to go into the various details that denote history. Details such as ancestry, creed, social and religious customs and background of the relevant times, Jesus' personality, occupation, credentials, circle of friend, relatives and acquaintances, political scenario, and so forth. The study of the historical Jesus naturally implies the study of the old and new testaments as well as church history. In order to secure the views of every reliable source, fairness demands that nothing must be seen to be explained away as irrelevant, immaterial and conclusive. As of date, the socio-rhetorical interpretations technique is ideal in getting close to the historical Jesus because of its meticulous approach and openness to scrutiny. It uses insights from sociolinguists, semiotics, rhetoric, ethnography, literary studies, social sciences, and goes on to interrelate ancient, modern and post modern systems and schools of thought.(1) Nothwithstanding the means available to get to the details on the history of Jesus, questions galore. Enigmatic rationalists and cultists crop up ever so often with profound and radical claims relating to the history, personality and even "matrimonial facts" about Jesus. Controversies exist relating to even simple incidents as: Was Jesus really baptized by John Did he really feed the four and five thousand Did he really raise Lazarus from the dead What did Jesus mean when he said the kingdom of God was at hand And so forth and so on. (2) The Present Status Until the Middle Ages, leave alone Jesus, it was difficult to gain access to the scriptures for simple meditation. Those who did encourage study of the scriptures like Martin Luther and William Tyndale, who had to pay for it with his life, were publicly ridiculed and warned to desist by the custodians of faith at the highest levels. Of course, their successors regret it now! Even after the scriptures became accessible to the common man, for a long period of time, a study of Jesus in the historical context was frowned upon as akin to apostasy. As a student of history, questions on Jesus could not be freely discussed which otherwise in theological context could have been considered too provocative and even sacrilegious. For instance, the question on the virgin birth of Christ is bound to figure prominently in the historical context whereas in the theological sense it could mean inviting trouble. Coming to healings, miracles and exorcism, the controversy only generates more heat and dust and very little light. Historically, as of now science is in no position to unearth evidence of events and oral statements recorded as having been made but for which there exist no solid proof except their confirmation by the

Criminal Behavior and the Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminal Behavior and the Law - Essay Example Finally, the paper will discuss the differences between index-one and index-two crimes under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, as well as which of the two is classified under violent crime and the one classified under property crime. To begin with, criminologist and criminalists are terms more than often used interchangeably, according to Williams and McShane (2004). However, the two terms have some distinct differences that are worth noting. Williams and McShane (2004) note that criminologists deal with the study of behaviors of an individual in relation to crime, individuals who commits the crimes being studied, as well as the correctional facilities for criminals such as jails and prisons. This falls under criminology, which covers various fields of criminal justice, with emphasis on social behavior. Criminalists, on the other hand, are professionals charged with the responsibility of analysis criminal evidence at the scenes of crime such as bullets and bloodstains (Williams and McShane, 2004). They are also charged with the responsibility of recreating crimes scenes, work at crime scenes, laboratories, and courtrooms. Criminologists engage mainly in teaching and research, where they apply the knowledge to the administration and policing, study of public policy, drug addictions, correction, juvenile delinquency, correctional administration and policy, and victimology. Other areas of study include criminal ethnography, theoretical criminology and models or criminal behaviors (Williams and McShane, 2004). Criminologists also assist in analyzing psychological, sociological, and biological evidence such as finger and footprints, body fluids, and blood plaster using their skills and knowledge to establish the link between the suspect and the crime. Criminalist, on the other hand, is a professional who employs scientific techniques to identify and separate vital evidence from the scene of a crime (Williams and McShane, 2004). The evidence gathered is analyze d and interpret, establish the truth as regards the crime. Forensic psychologists are professionals who by virtue of their training apply psychology in a criminal investigation and law (Fulero and Wrightsman, 2009). Forensic psychologists play a big role in assisting fact finders or courts in arriving at a just and precise conclusion of a criminal case. They are often involved in insurance claims, custody disputes, and lawsuits, according to Fulero and Wrightsman (2009). Legal justice system uses forensic psychologists in analyzing the mental status of the accused before, during, and after the trial proceedings. For instance, criminal cases whose verdicts may be death penalty always require that before the accused is handed the sentence, a forensic psychologist is called to analyze the defendants mental status before, during and after the crime to establish whether the defendant was insane at the time of the crime or not. The analysis of mental status of the defendant in a case is i mportant since it aids in just and accurate decision making by the jury. White-collar vs. Blue-collar crimes Crimes are committed by different classes of people. In this regard, O'Hear (2001) defines the white-collar crime as a financially motivated crime committed by respected people with high social status in society. This crime is committed by high-class individuals who have inherited or earn a lot of money at the upper level jobs such as corporate bigwigs (O'Hear,

Assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Assignment - Coursework Example A three-step test was established to determine whether Meiorin encountered direct discrimination or adverse effects of discrimination in her lay-off. The test is designed that determine if on balance of probabilities, prima facie discriminatory is a bona fide occupational requirement (Catano, 2010). First, the arbitrator must have established that aerobic standard is rationally connected to job performance. In this case, the research conducted in establishing the aerobic standards were not substantive since they were descriptive and failed to distinguish between male subjects and female subject (Catano, 2010). Second, the arbitrator should have established that the forest service established the aerobic standard in honest and good faith and was essential for the performance of the job. The government honesty in establishing the standard is not disputed since there was no intention to discriminate Ms Meiorin (Catano, 2010). Third, the arbitrator should have established if the standard is reasonably necessary for the accomplishment of the work-related purposes. This means that it will be impossible to accommodate any individual employee sharing similar characteristics as Meiorin without imposing unnecessary hardship to the forest service (Catano, 2010). In this case, the arbitrator should have established that Meiorin posed significant safety risks to herself and the public. In Meiorin, it is clear that she could have performed her duties efficiently without posing significant risks to herself or the public even without meeting the aerobic standard 9 Catano, 2010). The Supreme Court observed that individual testing of Ms Meiorin did not constitute discrimination, but the government had failed in establishing that the aerobic standard is a minimal requirement to efficiently perform the duties of a firefighter. Aerobic discrimination was a prima facie discrimination and Ms

Controlling Organized Crime Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Controlling Organized Crime - Research Paper Example In addition, the proponent also describes the legal limitations associated with combating organized crime, including a critique of major federal laws and strategies that support this effort. Furthermore, in this paper, the proponent also suggests a realistic solution to control organized crime by discussing and evaluating the effectiveness of organized crime prosecutions. Problems and relationships established by organized crime Since organized crime associates itself with violent behaviors and culture, it usually results to criminal activities (Mallory, 2007; Lyman & Potter, 2007). These criminal activities include but not limited to â€Å"drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, nuclear smuggling, refugee movements, uncontrolled and illegal immigration, environmental risks and international terrorisms† (Edgar & Ifantis, 2007; Dandurand, 2007). Not only that, there are remarkable proofs associating organized crime with major corporations in massive organized criminali ty, corrupt relationship development, money laundering and drug trafficking (Lyman & Potter, 2007). These are all corresponding problems associated with organized crime. However, the sad part of this story is that these problems associated with organized crime substantially mirror the international troubles or global massive occurrence of criminality. In other words, organized crime groups have become complex in their control and even parameter. This leads the authority to place its entire effort in a substantially challenging way especially in alleviating or controlling illegal and criminal activities associated with organized crime. The problems therefore associated with the establishment of organized crime have become remarkably complex, leading every concern or nation to take courage in doing their fair share in combating its existence. After all, organized crime could now readily associate itself in whatever illegal activities in the world for as long as there is involvement of the achievement of its personal gain. Legal limitation associated with combating organized crime Combating organized crime indeed has legal limitation. For instance, there are some problems associated with organized crime which must move beyond the bound of sovereignty and traditional state responses (Edgar & Ifantis, 2007). The case of proliferating weapons of mass destruction is somehow something old but new due to varying legal acts incorporated to it by every nation or state. Therefore, as organized crime and its problems grow into massive portion of society’s issue with criminality, legal concerns must significantly rise as well in order to continue maintain peace and order situation that every person deserves for the protection and preservation of life, which is the fundamental civil right. However, some federal laws emancipated for addressing this concern might not fit well due to some other relevant issues. For example, the Patriot Act for instance is something benef icial in solving problems associated with crime especially those generated by the institution of organized crime. However, some issues against this act primarily concerned with the right and protection of individual identity. In other words, there are some legal concerns that at some point would hinder the full coverage of federal strategies in combating organized crime. On the other hand, the act of prosecutions cannot actually guarantee indictment. After all, the burden of proof

School and Students Essay Example for Free

School and Students Essay Done By: Fariha Khan Yr: 8Australian International School should adopt the year round schooling process for the benefit of students. During long summer breaks, students forget what they have learned. Not everyone likes traveling during the same time every year. Short breaks help receive education and allow students take rests in the perfect time without over pressurizing students. So, adopting year round schooling in AusIS would help students and give better grades to them. In long summer breaks, students mostly forget what they learned the past year. Kid’s memories are not that good and for two-three months breaks, students do not want to review what they learned and usually stay busy traveling, having fun, playing or getting bored at home. If the long summer breaks were made short and spread throughout the whole year, it would help students remember what they learned. â€Å"It is assumed that shorter breaks help students retain information- therefore less time needs to be spent on review,† Kathryn L. Brandy, teacher in the year round school, Jacksonville Florida Times Union. If teachers would review bits of information to students, then they would remember the rest of the information. Long summer breaks would affect all the hard work of students throughout the whole year. So, it would be really helpful to students if the long summer breaks were made shorter and spread through the whole year, by this students will be able to catch up to all the work and help them remember what they learned. Traveling at the same time every year is not something everyone like. Some people like to travel during the winter, because it is cold and you do not get tired from long journeys. Whereas for summer holidays you get tired really fast, and the weather bothers a lot. It is very hot at the time and from the hotness some students catch cold. Many problems occur from the summer vacations which affect the student’s life in all the ways (education, health, and etc. ). So, traveling in the summer holidays wouldn’t be the opinion for everybody. If the year round schooling process would start in AusIS, the pressure of students would reduce and perfect amount of education would be enriched by the students. The long summer holidays are not always fun. It gets boring and even annoying for some people. After a big summer vacation, study starts to push in, and for a long time you are in a very big pressure, until another holiday knocks up. If the break was spread around the whole year, students would get perfect amount of education and a good holiday in the time needed. This would also give the opportunity to the students who do not like to travel during the summer to travel in some other time during the year. So, if the summer vacation would be spread through the year, it would help students get less pressurized and study. Finally, I feel that year round schooling would help students throughout the year. It would be better and come as benefit to students. Many problems are faced by most of the students. Some of the most important counted facts would come to be as students forget what they learned the past year. Traveling during summer isn’t what everybody would suggest or follow. Short breaks lessen the pressure of students and help students to enrich perfect amount of education. As, coming to my point I suggest that AusIS should adopt the year round schooling process which would come as benefit to students in health, education and traveling way.

Discoveries And Inventions In Fundamental Sciences History Essay

Discoveries And Inventions In Fundamental Sciences History Essay There is a general concept that the sciences are exclusively the products of Western minds. Review of any standard book or encyclopedias regarding the history of science makes evident that the only contributors are Europeans and/or Americans. The most oft-mentioned names are Kepler, Galileo, Copernicus, Bacon, Da Vinci, Franklin, Newton, Benjamin etc. Thus it is made unavoidable to conclude the major contributions to the development of the modern sciences by other cultures are minimal. The advancements made by ancient Chinese, Indian or particularly, Muslim scholars are hardly mentioned in most standard books and literature. Although Western civilization has made many invaluable contributions to the development of the sciences however, so have numerous other cultures. Unfortunately, Westerners have long been credited with discoveries that were made by muslims scientists many centuries before. Thus, many of the basic sciences were invented by non-Europeans. For instance, George Sarton states that modern Western medicine did not originate from Europe and that it actually arose from the (Islamic) orient. inShare91 515 points on reddit Major Inventions of Muslim Scientists: A number of inventions and discoveries were made by the Muslim scientists throughout the history. Muslim geographers and navigators learned the use of magnetic needle, from the Chinese, and were the first to use magnetic needles in navigation. Muslims invented the compass and its use in navigation, which was later on passed to the West. European navigators relied on Muslim pilots and their instruments while exploring the unknown territories. Gustav Le Bon claims that the magnetic needle and compass were the inventions of Muslims. The Chinese, probably learned of it from Muslim traders. It is noteworthy that after the interaction with the Muslims during the 8th century the Chinese improved their navigational expertise. Ibn Firnas a Muslim scientist of Islamic Spain invented, constructed and tested a flying machine in the 800s A.D. Roger Bacon learned of flying machines from Arabic references to Ibn Firnas machine. According to Will Durant, Ibn Firnas of Islamic Spain, invented a watch-like device in 9th century, which kept accurate time. The Muslims also constructed a variety of highly accurate astronomical clocks for use in their observatories. As early as the 9th century A.D Muslim mathematicians, the inventors of algebra, introduced the concept of using letters for unknown variables in equations. They solved a variety of complex equations through this system, including quadratic and cubic equations. They used symbols to develop and perfect the binomial theorem. Thabit bin Qurrah was among the first Mathematicians of the Islamic Empire who accomplished this precisely this as early as the 9th century A.D, and he was followed by Abul Wafa, whose 10th century book utilized algebra to advance geometry into an exact and simplified science. In the 9th century Muslim astronomers made numerous improvements upon Ptolemys findings. They were the first astronomers to dispute his archaic ideas. They produced hundreds of highly accurate astronomical tables and star charts. Many of their calculations are so precise that they are regarded as contemporary. Copies of works on astronomy the Alphonsine Tables was transmitted to Europe via Islamic Spain, i.e. the Toledo Tables. In their critic of the Greeks, Muslims synthesized proof that the sun is the center of the solar system and that the orbits of other planets and the earth might be elliptical. During the 9th century the Muslim physician originated the science of pharmacology and was developed into a highly refined and exact science. Muslim chemists, pharmacists and physicians produced thousands of drugs and/or crude herbal extracts one thousand years prior to the supposed birth of pharmacology. During the 9th century, eyeglasses were invented by Ibn Firnas of Islamic Spain and they were manufactured and sold throughout Spain for over two centuries. Any mention of eyeglasses by Roger Bacon was simply a regurgitation of the work of al-Haytham (d. 1039), whose research Bacon frequently referred to. During the 8th through 15th centuries, Muslim geographers produced untold volumes of books on the geography of Africa, Asia, India, China and the Indies. These writings included the worlds first geographical encyclopedias, almanacs and road maps. The 14th century masterpieces of Ibn Battutah provide a detailed view of the geography of the ancient world. The science of ethnography was invented by the Muslim scholars of the 9th through 14th centuries. A number of Muslim geographers classified the races, writing detailed explanations of their physical appearances and unique cultural habits. Blumenbachs works were insignificant in comparison. Muslim physicians used a variety of specific substances to destroy microbes. They applied sulfur topically specifically to kill the scabies mite. Ar-Razi (10th century) used mercurial compounds as topical antiseptics. During the 9th and 10th centuries, the Venetians learned of the art of fine glass production from Syrian artisans. Glass mirrors were in use in Islamic Spain as early as the 11th century. Ibn Yunus al-Masri discovered the pendulum in the 10th century, and was the first to study and document its oscillatory motion. Its value for use in clocks was introduced by Muslim physicists during the 15th century. Muslim mathematicians as early as the 10th century solved numerous equations of even higher degrees with ease. Binomial theorem was utilized and perfected for its use in the systematic solution of algebraic problems by hundreds of the Muslim mathematicians. In the 10th century numerous Muslim chemists produced medicinal-grade alcohol through the process of distillation and manufactured the first distillation devices on a large scale for use in chemistry. They used alcohol as a solvent and antiseptic. The prophet Muhammad wisely warned against entering or leaving a region suffering from plague thus introducing the concept of quarantine for the very first time in the 7th century A.D. later in the 10th century, Muslim physicians innovated the use of isolation wards for individuals suffering with communicable diseases. As early as the 10th century, Muslim physicians and surgeons of 10th century used to apply purified alcohol to wounds as an antiseptic agent. In Islamic Spain surgeons utilized special methods for maintaining antisepsis prior to and during surgery. The origin of specific protocols for maintaining hygiene during the post-operative period raised the success rate so high that dignitaries throughout Europe came to Cordova, Spain, to be treated at what was comparably the Mayo Clinic of the Middle Ages. Islams ar-Razi wrote an in-depth treatise on the venous system, accurately describing the function of the veins and their valves in the 10th century. Timeline of Muslim Scientists from 700 900 AD: 8th century: 700s [petroleum; civil engineering] In Baghdad the streets were constructed and paved with tar, coming from the petroleum that oozed in natural oil fields in the region.   700s 800s [cosmetics] In Spain a beauty institute was started by Ziryab (Blackbird). 740 828 Al-Amai, Zoology, Botany, Animal husbandry.   770 840 [mathematics] The Calculus of resolution and juxtaposition (hisab al-jabr wal-muqabala), more briefly referred to as al-jabr, or algebra, was developed by Kharazmi, Algebra was a unifying theory which allowed rational numbers, irrational numbers, geometrical magnitudes, etc., to all be treated as algebraic objects. It gave mathematics a whole new development path so much broader in concept to that which had existed before, and provided a vehicle for future development of the subject. Another important aspect of the introduction of algebraic ideas was that it allowed mathematics to be applied to itself in a way which had not happened before.   Al-Khwarizmis successors undertook a systematic application of arithmetic to algebra, algebra to arithmetic, both to trigonometry, algebra to the Euclidean theory of numbers, algebra to geometry, and geometry to algebra. This was how the creation of polynomial algebra, combinatorial analysis, numerical analysis, the numerical solution of equations, the new elementary theory of numbers, and the geometric construction of equations arose.   Late 700s 800 [musical science] Mansour Zalzal of Kufa was a musician (luth) and composer of the Abbasid era. Contributed musical scales that were later named after him (the Mansouri scale) and introduced positions (intervals) within scales such as the wasati-zalzal that was equidistant from the alwasati alqadima and wasati al-fors who made improvements on the design of the luth instrument and designed the Luth. In 715 800 [chemistry] The Muslim chemist, Geber (Jabir ibn Hayyan), is considered the father of chemistry, for introducing the experimental scientific method for chemistry, such as alembic, still, retort, pure distillation, liquefaction, crystallisation, purification, oxidisation, evaporation, and filtration. He was the first chemist known to produce sulfuric acid, as well as many other laboratory instruments and chemical substances. His works include The elaboration of the Grand Elixir, The chest of wisdom in which he writes on nitric acid, Kitab al-Istitmam (translated to Latin later as Summa Perfectionis), and many others.   715 800 [alchemy] Geber, introduced the first theories on the transmutation of metals, the philosophers stone, and the artificial creation of life in the laboratory.   715 800 [glass] Geber added colour to glass by introducing small quantities of metallic oxides to the glass, such as manganese dioxide (magnesia). This was a new advancement in the glass industry unknown in antiquity.   9th century: 800 868 [biology, zoology, linguistics, language,] Amr ibn Bahr al-Jahiz wrote a number of works on zoology, lexicography, rhetoric, and Arabic grammar. In his most famous book the Book of Animals, he was the first to discuss food chains, and environmental determinism by arguing that the environment can determine the physical characteristics of the inhabitants in a certain community he also stated that the origins of different colors of human skin is the result of the environment. The struggle for existence and the theory of evolution by natural selection was first discussed by him. 800 873 Ibn Ishaq Al-Kindi (Latinized, Alkindus.) was an expert in Optics, Metallurgy, Cryptography, Medicine, Mathematics, Physics and Philosophy. He worked at the House of Wisdom which was set up in 810. He introduces quantification into medicine in his book De Gradibus.   In 810 the works of Greek and Indian scientists on astronomy and mathematics were translated into Arabic in Bayt al-Hikma (House of Wisdom) which was set up in Baghdad. 820 [mathematics] Mahani (full name Abu Abdollah Muhammad ibn Isa Mahani in Arabic Al-Mahani). Conceived the idea of reducing geometrical problems such as duplicating the cube to algebraic problems.   836 901 [anatomy; astronomy; mathematics; mechanics] Born Thabit Ibn Qurra (Latinized, Thebit.) made considerable contributions in mathematics particularly in number theory and geometry while studying at Baghdads House of Wisdom under the Banu Musa brothers. He discovered the theorem by which pairs of amicable numbers can be found; i.e., two numbers such that each is the sum of the proper divisors of the other. Later, al-Baghdadi (b. 980) and al-Haytham (born 965) developed variants of the theorem.   838 870 Tabari (full name: Ali ibn Sahl Rabban Al-Tabari) made many contributions in Calligraphy, Mathematics, Literature, and Medicine.   In mid 800s [chemistry] Al-Kindi gave 107 recipes for making perfumes and also wrote on the distillation of wine as that of rose water, in his book Kitab Kimia al-`otoor wa al-tas`eedat (book of the chemistry of perfumes and distillations).   850 930 [mathematics] Abu Kamil of Egypt (full name, Abu Kamil Shuja ibn Aslam ibn Muhammad ibn Shuja) made an important link in the development of algebra between al-Khwarizmi and al-Karajis time not using the symbols, but writing powers of x in words, he had begun to understand what should be written in symbols. 852 [aviation, flight] Abbas Ibn Firnas (Armen Firman) made the first successful parachute fall near CÃÆ' ³rdoba, Spain using a huge wing-like cloak. 858 929 [astronomy mathematics] Al-Battani (Albategnius) made valuable works on astronomy, trigonometry etc.   860 Al-Farghani (Al-Fraganus) was master in Civil engineering and Astronomy. 864 930 [chemistry; medicine] Al-Razi (Rhazes) studied Astronomy, Chemistry, Medicine, Ophthalmology and Smallpox. He wrote on Naft (naphta or petroleum) and its distillates in his book Kitab sirr al-asrar (book of the secret of secrets). When choosing a site to build Baghdads hospital, he hung pieces of fresh meat in different parts of the city and selected the location where the meat took the longest to rot, for building the hospital. He also suggested that patients must not be told about their real condition so that fear or despair may not affect the healing process. His notable works were on soap, alkali, caustic soda, and glycerine. He also gave the descriptions of equipment, processes and methods for their preparation in his book Kitab al-Asrar (book of secrets) in 925.   870 950 Al-Farabi (Al-Pharabius) wrote on early Islamic philosophy, logic in Islamic philosophy, Muslim sociology, musical science and political science. In   875 [aviation, flight] Abbas Ibn Firnas made the first flight in a hang glider with artificial wings, but his landing was unsuccessful. He also worked on mechanics of Flight, Planetarium, and Artificial Crystals. Ibn Firnas was the first to investigate the means of flight.   800s [chemistry; petroleum] Oilfields in Baku, Azerbaijan, generated commercial activities and industry. These oilfields, were wells dug to get the Naft (or naphta, or crude petroleum) these were described by geographer Masudi in the 10th century and by Marco Polo in the 13th century, who described the output of those wells as hundreds of shiploads.   10th century: 900s [mathematics; accounting] By this century, three systems of counting were used in the Arab world. First was the Finger-reckoning arithmetic, in this system the numerals were written entirely in words this system was used by the business community. Second was the sexagesimal system, originated by the Babylonians, in this system the numerals were denoted by letters of the arabic alphabet it was used by Arab mathematicians in astronomical work. The third was the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, which was used with various sets of symbols. Arithmetic of this system required the use of a dust board (a sort of handheld blackboard) because the methods required moving of numbers in the calculation and rubbing some out as the calculation proceeded. Later these methods were modified by Al-Uqlidisi (born 920) for pen and paper use. Eventually the advances enabled the decimal system to be used throughout the world in its standard form.  

Internet - Ethics of Online Medical Records Essays -- Exploratory Ess

The Ethics of Online Medical Records      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Abstract:   This paper describes the ethical implications of developing a national online medical database.   Such a database would contain the lifetime health records of every U.S. resident by combining information from a variety of sources.   The advantages of such a system are many, but in the end, the question remains whether patients want to trade privacy for better healthcare.    A lonely ninety-year-old Chinese woman walks into a clinic.   Without any medical records, the physicians diagnose her with stroke, and she is immediately hospitalized.   Two days later, her son arrives at the hospital, apparently quite angry with the doctors.   He informs the physicians that her mother has been in this condition for many years, and should not be treated for stroke.   Unfortunately, the treatment has already started, and the son is billed $12,000 for two days of hospitalization.   This unfortunate incident was witnessed by Jennifer Danek, M.D. in a San Francisco hospital.   She concludes, "Had we gotten the correct history, we could have saved this woman a lot of unnecessary testing and not cost her son his whole life savings" [3].      How ironic that in today's so-called Information Age, physicians have a shortage of accessible information on their own patients!   This lack of information on patients has not only handicapped physicians, but also jeopardized the lives of their patients.   In an attempt to fix this problem, some physicians have proposed the creation of a national database that contains the medical records of every American resident [4].   While the benefits of this system are many, opponents argue that patients' privacy may be compromised.   Worse, confidential pati... ...logy Revolution Brings New Ethical and Legal Risks." Psychiatric News (2000): 26 pars. 26 Jan. 2001. <http://www.psych.org/pnews/00-05-05/tech.html>. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chapman, Audrey. Healthcare and Information Ethics. Kansas City: Sheed and Ward, 1997. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Danek, Jennifer, M.D., The Med School Survival Guide. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2000. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Davis, Michael. Computerizing Healthcare Information. Chicago: Probus Publishing Company, 1994. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Orentlicher, David and Barr, Bob. "Is a 'unique health identifier' for every American a good idea?"42 pars. 26 Jan 2001. <http:// www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m1571/n31_v1 4/21064144/ print.jhtml>. 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Orentlicher, David. and Healy, Bernadine. "Point/Counterpoint: Should Americans' medical records include unique identifiers?" Physician's Weekly, Nov. 1998 Vol. XV: 43.