Recent orders
Health Insurance and the Labor Market
Health Insurance and the Labor Market
Name
Instructor
Course
Date
Adverse selection refers to a strategic behavior by a partner who is more informed in a contract against the interest of a partner who is less informed. These restrictions on insurance sales are due to the fact that there are numerous insurance regulations in different states. There are some implications of adverse selection in insurance markets that contain information asymmetry and community ratings. Information asymmetry implies that there is an imbalance of power in the insurance transaction where one party is more informed compared to the other. Community ratings means that insurer are not supposed to deny an individual from being covered and neither are they supposed to charge high premiums if one has a preexisting condition. An implication of adverse selection in this kind of market is that individuals that are of a higher risk than expected end up buying insurance covers (Browne, 2010). The costs and of higher risks are high that may lead to lower risk individuals forgoing insurance covers. The scenario will lead to a further increase in per insured costs. Another implication is that healthy people might end up going for managed care and the less healthy going for generous plans. It is mainly caused by information asymmetry whereby the people seeking insurance are less informed (Browne, 2010).
A model of the demand for labor can be used to explain the wage and employment figures for healthcare workers. Analysts can use this model to determine the demand of labor at a particular time. A high demand for labor means that healthcare workers are needed and hence the employment figures will go up since more will be employed (Gruber, 1998). The wages will also go up when there is a high demand because employers want to attract healthcare workers. Low demand in the labor market means that employment figures will go down since healthcare workers are not being employed. The wages will also go down because there are many healthcare workers hence it becomes difficult to sustain them. An employee’s health status influences their decision to seek full-time or part time employment. Healthy individuals would seek full-time employment and hence they will have a higher compensation compared to those who go for part-time employment. Compensation also takes the form of healthcare insurance. The health status of an individual affects the compensation they receive in form of insurance.
References
Browne, M. (2010). Evidence of Adverse Selection in the Individual Health Insurance Market. The Journal of Risk and Insurance, 13-13.
Gruber, J. (1998). Health insurance and the labor market. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research.
This paper scrutinizes the pros and cons of stem cell research, with special prominence on embryonic stem cell study.
RUNNING HEAD: STUDY ON STEM CELL
Stem Cell Research
Name:
Course:
Tutor:
Date:
Stem Cell Research
In light of the continued advancement of technology and research in the medical field, there have been some groundbreaking developments that have been heralded as indications that scientific research can produce remarkable results when it is integrated with technology. Since the turn of the 20th century, major breakthroughs like the discovery of DNA and the development of anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS have been cited as the reason why scientific research especially in the medical field must be supported. Research on Stem cell has been particularly singled out as a new avenue for prolonging life and alleviating diseases, but just like all scientific research developments it has come with its fair share of controversy. (Prentice, 1998).
Stem cells can be categorized as biological cells that exist in all organisms; they are capable of self-renewal and divide and differentiated to form new cells. They are divided into two major categories: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. This paper scrutinizes the pros and cons of stem cell research, with special prominence on embryonic stem cell study.
Arguments For
Treatment of Diseases
Embryonic stem cells have been cited as having the capability to grow into any kind of cells, for instance bone marrow cells or brain cells. They have the potential to renew themselves and as a result can be used to develop therapies for various kinds of diseases. Some of the ailments which can be treated or whose effects can reduced through the use of embryonic stem cells include cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke and heart diseases. This is often mentioned by scientists and proponents of embryonic stem cell investigation as a valid reason to support this venture in order to help rid the world of the devastating effects of the above-mentioned diseases.
Enabling Transplantation and Reducing the Dangers Associated With it.
As mentioned earlier in this paper, embryonic stem cells have the potential of developing into any type of cell. This means when grown and cultured in the right conditions they can be used to grow tissues and in the long run organs. It is widely acknowledged that a lot of deaths occur today that can be prevented by people receiving alternative organs. Millions of people across the world suffer from heart, kidney and lung defects and a majority of them end up dying simply because a donor could not be found. According to Coppo (1996), this is where embryonic stem cell investigation comes in. With the capability of developing new organs out of stem cells, the shortage in compatible organs can be reduced and as a result deaths and diseases resulting from diseases affecting various organs can be prevented.
Embryonic Stem Cells are Superior to Adult Stem Cells
A lot of arguments have been made to support the use of adult stem cells rather than embryonic stem cells. Proponents of these arguments claim that adult stem cells can be used for exactly the same purpose for which their embryonic counterparts are intended, and can produce even better results. This is actually not true. Embryonic stem cells exhibit more superior characteristics when compared to adult stem cells, which means they produce better results and display a flexibility which adult stem cells cannot match. Adult stem cells can be an alternative, but any stem cell researcher will tell you that if given a choice he will go for embryonic stem cells without much hesitation. (Coppo, 1996).
Arguments Against
Destruction of Life
In the process of harvesting stem cells from an embryo the embryo is destroyed. Some scientists are said to have managed to do this while preserving the embryo at the same time, but this is very rare. In embryonic stem cell study an embryo is fertilized with the sole purpose of collecting stem cells from it, destroying it in the process. A number of opponents of stem cell research especially those who are pro-life say that an embryo has life, and if allowed to develop can produce a human being. Embryonic stem cell study therefore destroys life in its quest to collect stem cells. Prentice (1998), cites this as a complete disregard of human life and as a result anything that does not appear to support the progression of the human race should not be allowed to prosper.
Development of Tumors
There have been numerous cases of embryonic stem cells multiplying spontaneously and uncontrollably leading to the development of tumors. It is a well-known fact that embryonic stem cells can divide and differentiate to form new cells or tissues; the problem arises when this division is so rapid and uncontrolled that it produces tumors in an individual. (Coppo, 1996). This problem is compounded by the fact that scientists themselves have not been able to figure it out bring it under control. It is inhuman and irresponsible to inflict more misery on someone under the pretext of helping them. Tumors whether malignant or benign bring great discomfort in people’s lives and require a lot of money to remove. If embryonic stem cells are not differentiated completely before being used, they can migrate to the entire body and cause tumors.
It Is Costly and Unethical
Stem cell study is one of the most heavily funded and expensive areas of medical and scientific research. Billions of dollars are channeled into this venture without looking at potential risks and alternative areas where that money could be used. Research on embryonic stem cell and stem cell research in general, is a branch of medical research that is loaded with potential, but that is all there is to it: potential. According to Dubois (2004), it is ignorant to spend colossal amounts of money on pipe dreams when there are more immediate problems that can be tackled with that money.
Governments and donors everywhere need to turn their attention and funds to immediate issues and the prevention and control of diseases rather than channeling finances to other avenues which have nothing to offer other than potential.
No New Cure Yet
For all the arguments presented over the years about the study embryonic stem cell being able to provide a way of treating and curing diseases, there has actually been no development of any cure for any disease since stem cell research began. (Dubois, 2004).
With this in consideration, can we really trust that this research will someday yield the results it is so often associated with? For how long shall we hope and wait that one day stem cell research will be able to provide the cure for diabetes, cancer, leukemia and other diseases that have ravaged the human race for decades? It is only pragmatic that we focus on handling and solving our immediate problems; food sustainability, control and prevention of diseases and creation of jobs are just some of the key areas which need our undivided attention.
Conclusion
The arguments presented above all offer valid and concrete reasons to either support or oppose embryonic stem cell research. Taking into account everything, the arguments against it seem to have a stronger case and therefore I am of the opinion that embryonic stem cell research and stem cell research in general are not really worth the time money and other resources dedicated to them. There are more pressing issues that can be solved with that time or money, and therefore stem cell research can take a back seat for some time; we can come back to it later.
References
Coppo, Terence. (1996). Reproductive Technology: A Research Guide to the Legal
Status of the Frozen Human Embryo. New York: William S. Hein & Co., Inc.
Dubois, William. (2004). The Fallacy Behind Stem Cell Research: What You Do Not Know.
Chicago: SUNY Press.
Kellman, Laurie. (2001). Embryonic Stem Cell Research Vs Adult Stem Cell Research: An
Insight Into The Field Of Stem Cell Research. Boston: Routledge Press.
Prentice, David. (1998). The Real Promise of Stem Cell Research. London: Randall Press.
An Analysis of Titan’s Venus and Adonis Painting
An Analysis of Titan’s Venus and Adonis Painting
Name:
Institution:
Date:
An Analysis of Titan’s Venus and Adonis Painting
Tiziano Vecellio is among the most prominent artist who left a mark in the art world because of the great form of arts that he made. One of his most remarkable painting is the Venus and Adonis an art work I stumbled upon in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The art provokes a lot of emotions just by a single look. This art measures approximately 42 inches by 52 and a half and was created using medium made up of pigments as well as various types of vegetable oil including bear-seeds, poppy, linseed oils and the walnut (Metropolitan Museum of Art). This painting was made on a stretched canvas which in turn gave it a kind of textured quality. Venus Adonis is an art that tells a mythological tale of a goddess Venus who possessed immeasurable powers, despite this she seems to be a victim of love, having the very feeling she inspired on men.
The first thing you will definitely notice from the painting is the colors used in the painting which are of luminescent quality. The paint is characterized by lightly fleshy colored skin where we can see the goodness naked to the blue colors of the sky. The paint features Adonis, Venus, Cupid and three dogs belonging to Adonis that have been positioned in the front of the painting. The painting from the outward look portrays a woman who is Venus trying to hold onto Adonis probably so that he does not leave. While painting this art, Titan asserts himself as both a poet and a painter trying to tell the story of the goddess and the Adonis. Ovid’s Metamorphoses is used as the narrative source which explains how Venus was afraid of the harm that would come upon Adonis if he goes out to hunt large game. However, Adonis disregards her lovers warning because of the thrill he got from hunting. The paint actually captures Adonis emotionally charged moment as he departs to hunt with his dogs.
The art is classified during the period of Venetian Renaissance. Art during this period utilized colorito and disegno in drawing forms just like most Titans arts works (Hall, 1992). The art portrays the theme of love and torment that is often inflicted on a lover. Venus is tormented that his lover Adonis will die while hunting. Being a goddess most people would not expect her to have a side that shows humanity. As human’s emotions are our order of the day and the picture portrays a goddess with quite a powerful emotion that also seems to relate with the renaissance notion of masculine. The artist brings out gender reversal as Venus emotions leans more towards being masculine rather than feminine. In the picture from how she holds Adonis, she is quite aggressive and almost seems violent as she tries to stop him from leaving. This narrative has allowed Titian to portray another view of the goddess at the same time changing the figural composition.
Several critics have recognized his artistic and innovative arrangement as he is able to use elements of both painting and sculpture: colorito and disegno. In terms of sculpture, both Adonis and Venus have sculptural quality as their paintings appear to be in 3-D. He is able to bring the sculpture into life just by using his brush. Light and shadows have been used in the painting. Adonis seems to be covered predominantly with shades that bring out his physical powers and the masculine features that he possesses (Rosand, 1972). Light on the other hand has been used on Venus back as well as the hip making her silhouette clearer. In this art he used color as well as light in developing his forms rather than lines. In painting the goddess, she depicts her back and bottom as she also turns her torso to look at Adonis. From Venus’ back, we get a somber mood and she can sense a tragic ending as Adonis lifts his hand resisting the pleas Venus was making. Cupid is also frightened in the panting asserting mood of sensuality. He also employs symbolism highly in the painting. The doves have often been known to be symbol of peace and love, they may have been included in the picture depicting the purest form of love that the goddess had towards Adonis. Dog have also been said to be the most loyal animals, in the painting too, they may have been used to depict loyalty.
In conclusion Titian employs shimmering highlights, light and shadows, rich colors as well as lush landscape in creating a masterpiece that portrays a poignant mood. The painting draws parallels between the sense Venus displays during departure of Adonis and the loss that would later occur when Adonis dies in the mythology. He brings the aspect of a humanly goddess who is in love and is afraid of losing the love of his life.
References
Hall, M. B. (1992). Color and meaning: practice and theory in Renaissance painting (pp. 14-29). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Metropolitan Museum Art Gallery (n.d.). Venus and Adonis. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/en/art/collection/search/437826
Rosand, D. (1972). Ut pictor poeta: Meaning in Titian’s poesie. New Literary History, 3(3), 527-546.