TRANSGENIALITY

The case of Thomas Beadie, the so called ‘pregnant man’ from Oregon in the U.S, brought the issue of transsexuality to the attention of many people in the wider world whose knowledge on the subject could be described as ‘hazy’ to say the least. In the past week, the scope of our collective global knowledge on the subject may have been ‘transformed’ even further. Scientists in Australia have identified a link between a gene used in testosterone action and male to female transexualism and it is being viewed as a revolutionary breakthrough in the understanding of this condition.

It has been discovered at the Prince Henry Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne that male to female transsexual volunteers were more likely to have a longer version of the androgen receptor gene than their regular male counterparts. Biological factors are now being accepted as implicitly influencing gender identity. Another study showed up more ”female – like” structures in brain scans carried out on these same subjects.

TESTOSTERONE

It has previously been established that a longer form of the androgen gene receptor causes a decrease in testosterone profficiency. As such, foetal development in the womb could be adversely affected due to this reduced action of the male sex hormone. This is a speculated conclusion however, but it is based on clear and logical fact. Once this further assumption is given it’s inevitable demonstration, there can be no more doubt amongst the cynics who are of the belief that transgeniality is merely a ‘lifestyle choice’.

Terry Read from the Gender Identity,Research and Education Centre is convinced that the findings are conclusive evidence of an actual biological reasoning for transgeniality. He states : “This study indicates that there is a genetic trigger to the development of an atypical gender identity.”

From the groundbreaking studies which have been carried out on this relatively small group of volunteers (112), it seems that undeniable proof of a Scientific link between the DNA of a person and their sexual identity has been established and according to the co – author of the study, Professor Vincent Harley, all that needs to be done now is for this research to be replicated on a greater scale so as to conclusively convince any remaining sceptics of the reality behind this most divisive of topics.

Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins is argueably the worlds’ most well known atheist . Since the announcement recently that there will be a fleet of public buses transversing the City of London bearing a slogan which he has sponsored ( namely; ‘There is probably no God. So stop worrying and enjoy your life’) starting in January ‘09, his message is now expected to have an influence on a much greater – and younger - group of people than than ever before.

Anglican Upbringing

Born in Nairobi , Kenya in 1941, the young Dawkins was however raised from the age of 8 back home in his parents native England. It is at this almost embryonic stage in a persons’ life, that Dawkins believed he first began to question the existence of a God. Dawkins states that he really begun to formulate his opinions regarding his “normal Anglican upbringing” in his mid teens when he says he realised the absurdity of the Anglican Church in the sense that it was more based around the dictation of morals than it was around God.

Dawkins went on to study Biology at Oxford where he was tutored by the award winning ethologist and fellow atheist Nikolaas Tinbergen. It would appear that it was this period of intense learning which cemented the beliefs which Dawkins would go on to publish in such famous works as ‘The God Delusion’.

Famous Quotes

Renouned for his quick wit and on the spot rebuttle during the numerous debates he has taken part in around the world, Dawkins is a man who has already left a strong legacy through both speech and the written word. Noteable one liners include : “     “I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.” or ““God exists, if only in the form of a meme with high survival value, or infective power, in the environment provided by human culture”

Future

Ultimately, whether one agrees with the opinions of the man or not, his is a point of view which is growing rapidly – most noteably amongt the younger generations. The so called ‘atheist buses’ will be in the capital from the beginning of the new year and it remains to be seen what kind of reaction will arise from those to whom he is most vehemently opposed.

Marine Conservation

The issue of the threat posed by human interaction with the worlds’ oceans is one which is ever increasing on the international agenda. The reasons for this are numerous.  Since the 1960’s, the transportation of crude oil in massive liners to different ports around the world has progressively increased in both magnitude and frequency. As a result of this, over 1 billion gallons of oil have been spilled into the sea as a result of spillages and other such accidents.

When this issue is put into context alongside the worldwide habit of the dumping of hazardous material with both general waste from human coastal settlements and that of industry, we have observed a massive increase in the number of pathogens and viruses which have grown inumerably and begun to attack both plant and animal marine life. The health of marine life in general is slowly but surely decreasing as a result of human intervention.

GLOBAL ISSUE

The once vast fish stocks supplied by the worlds oceans is already becoming a thing of the past and a downturn in that industry has been reported for generations. So much so that recent reports have shown that over the last century the North Sea’s ecosystem has experienced a decrease in its fish stock from 26 million down to 10 million. As such a number of groups have been campaigning for a more urgent approach to marine conservation.

Activism

‘Greenpeace‘ is one organization which has been at the forefront of this topic since its’ conception in 1970 using its’ famous ‘Rainbow Warrior’ ship during protests and publicity campaigns. Other noted activists include the Ocean Conservency Organization and the Marine Conservation Society of the U.K. However, the work being done by these groups represents merely a drop in the ocean in the required level of education needed by both local and national government aswell as the global public at large, ( in the current climate of environmental degradation, particulary relating to marine issues ) if we as a human race are to prevent the slide towards a planet devoid of its once previously thriving plant and animal life.

LE TGV

The TGV ( train a grand vitesse) is France’s high speed raill service which holds the record for the fastest wheeled train and also holds the world’s highest average speed for a regular passenger service. The TGV has been in operation since 1982 and one average, travels at a speed of roughly 200 mph. The success of France’s raily transport network has led to similar services being created across the globe, especially in Europe, and most noteably in Japan.

Efficient service

The pioneering spirit of the French engineers who designed the TGV has been enforced as a result of the levels of safety provided by their train system which have experienced few accidents and no fatalities whatsoever since its conception. The definitive idea for the TGV first came about in the 1960’s after it outshone other plans such as that for the introduction of a hovercraft system of public transport between Paris and Lyon. Speed and efficiency were the principe reasons which prompted the French Government to invest so highly in this most advanced method of public transport.

Engineering

The ‘genius’ of the TGV is to be found in its’ track design : by using LGV Construction, the radii of the curves of the track can be broadened which allows for a greater velocity without increasing the centrifugal force experienced upon the passengers. Also, the lightweight construction of the carriages allows the train to climb steep gradients with only a small amount of energy lost. Another more basic aspect of the design of the TGV system, but one which can none – the – less be often overlooked by engineers who are not working in tandem with Government planners, is that the TGV only operates in the most straighest of lines.  To shorten distances and reduce travel time, the French Government chose a policy of building tunnels when faced with large hindrances such as mountains, as opposed to the cheaper and more traditional method of  building tracks to go around an obstacle.

The TGV was the ground breaking rail service of modern Europe and was the prelude for the ‘Eurostar’ which travels from London to Paris. Not only this, but it also manages to be one of the cheapest in Europe also.