The Hurricane Starring Denzel Washington As Rubin,...

In this paper, I am going to compare and contrast the movie The Hurricane starring Denzel Washington as Rubin â€Å"Hurricane† Carter to the handout provided for Nelson Mandela. I will begin with a critical review of the movie. The setting of the movie rotates from past to present, as the movie begin you will notice him in the ring with the middle weight champion and eventually defeat him in the first round with a knock-out. Than the movie switch to him protesting in a jail cell, 193 at Trenton State Prison, stating how he was wrongly accused for three murders and that anybody who was trying to come get him will feel the wrath of the Hurricane. The movie than revert back to the night where Rubin Carter and a young fella was wrongly accused of three murders in a well-known bar and grill, while leaving a night club. The reason they was pulled over was because the cops said they was looking for two black men in a white car. Mr. Carter than asked â€Å"any two black men would cou nt?† The movie fast forward to seven years later, approximately around 1980, where a young struggling African-American high schooler purchase his book from a book sale and is intrigued with the book because he can relate to the mishaps of Mr. Carter. The young man, Les Martin, was in housed by three Canadians who vowed to help him succeed in life and go to college. In the beginning of the book, Mr. Rubin Carter discusses his childhood and how it all started. Carter and a group of friends was playing when a

Should Prison Be Punished For A Crime - 2383 Words

Individuals are sent to prison be punished for a crime committed and to be kept away from society. While some criminals are violent sociopaths, and may never be rehabilitated, many criminals can be corrected and taught to improve themselves. A variety of programs are designed to help inmates learn from their mistakes and prepare for release. These programs require funding, and with an imperfect penal system, there are certain elements of prison which may exacerbate criminal behavior. Ideally, when individuals are sent to prison, they would learn how to improve themselves and better understand the consequences of their crime. Upon completion of their sentence, inmates would be ready to become productive members of society. Inmates who must serve life sentences would still find a sense of peace, even though they must remain in prison. Unfortunately, this perfect system of punishment and redemption does not exist. The amount of rehabilitation an inmate undergoes often depends on the prison in which they are incarcerated. While some prisons provide programs that help inmates improve, other prisons are brutal facilities designed solely to retain inmates and keep them away from society. Prison can be a brutal atmosphere for many reasons. The shock of being incarcerated and knowing that one’s basic freedoms are obliterated can be psychologically jarring. Being in prison can wreak havoc on the psyche and many inmates may require some form of therapy to help them toShow MoreRelatedControversy On Luxuries On Prisons1615 Words   |  7 Pagesin Prisons In today s prison system of the United States, over 75% of the prisoners have the right to many luxuries while incarcerated instead of getting punished for the crimes committed. In fact, many inmates receive better health care than most people in the United States. Certainly, inmates have more luxuries than the citizens who work hard for them. With that in mind, inmates may consider jail better than the real world. No doubt inmates deserve treatment of an adult for the crimes theyRead MoreJuvenile Delinquency in the United States1585 Words   |  6 PagesJuvenile Crime Statistics Wendy R Swartz Keiser University Abstract: In this document, the topic of juvenile delinquency in the United States is thoroughly examined. Approximately 1.5 million minors (those are citizens who are under the age of 18) are arrested for criminal activity each year in the US. These juveniles are arrested for a variety of crimes; everything from petty vandalism and loitering to prostitution, drug dealing, and even murder. Of these, 70% of offenders will be tried andRead MoreEssay on Level of Punishment Does Not Fit the Crime1008 Words   |  5 Pagesof serious crimes that the justice system fails to make sure that criminals pay the price for the devastation that they cause. For example, Johannes Mehserl only served 2 years in prison for the killing of innocent member of public, Oscar Grant. At the same time, there are examples of 5 years prison sentences for the possession of marijuana. This is enormously unfair, as someone who can take the life of another human being should receive a far harsher punishment than someone whos e crime only effectsRead MoreWhy Are Prisons Still Successful For Helping Prevent Crime?1180 Words   |  5 Pages In the UK, the prison population has more than doubled in less than 20 years. The cost to keep someone in prison for a year is  £36,808. The UK spends a higher percentage of the countries GDP on public order per year than any other EU country and even the US. Why are our prisons still highly unsuccessful in helping prevent crime? Prisons have barbaric beginnings from the medieval dungeon and torture chamber in the late 18th century. They have always combined punishment with rehabilitation. The onlyRead MoreRadical Criminologists Believe That Crime Is Caused By Social And Economic Forces Of A Society1670 Words   |  7 PagesRadical criminologists believe that crime is caused by social and economic forces of a society. They believe that people of higher class rule everything and function is terms of general interest instead of focusing on the general interest of society as a whole. The statement given to me basically states that by looking at our prison system you can see that those who have power and money can basically get away with anything and that they use our prison system in order to make money for themselvesRead MoreSummary Of Bring Back Flogging By Jeff Jacoby795 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Bring Back Flogging†, the author, Jeff Jacoby suggests that people should adopt some of the Puritans tactics to punish criminals instead of putting them in prison. In order to present his claim, Jacoby is based in the use of irony, logos, and ethos. According to Jeff Jacoby a moment of humiliation is better than a couple of years behind the bars. I do not agree with Jeff Jacoby’s argument because the examples he gives and the way he refers to the topic incite to violence, also during the developmentRead MorePersuasive Essay On The Death Penalty833 Words   |  4 Pages The death penalty may seem harsh, but its more than necessary in our country. This punishment deters other criminals and other crimes from happening. Innocent lives will be saved if we execute vile criminals with this punishment since they can no longer hurt or terrorize others. Criminals deserve to have their life taken since theyve taken others and their rights. The death penalty is necessary since it deters criminals, save others, and make criminals pay for what theyve done. Seeing otherRead MorePrison Population Around The World1313 Words   |  6 PagesSamantha Talmo Professor Wisz 8 August 2016 Research Paper Prison populations around the world are continuing to grow every single day.â€Å" The nation s jail population flows like a torrential river with upwards of 12 million individuals moving in and out of institutions annually† (Lyman, 167). The population is continuing to grow in jails because of the growth in the crime itself. It is debated whether or not nonviolent criminals should be given jail time. There are other punishments that could beRead MoreA Child With Adult Consequences Essay1688 Words   |  7 Pagesimprisonment. Today, some children face these exact consequences depending on their actions. Certain children are held accountable for their actions and punished as adults in an adult courtroom depending on the offense and the jurisdiction. According to Youth Justice (2012), â€Å"On any given day, approximately 2,700 young people are locked up in adult prisons† (p. 4). This is hard to understand, because the United States has a juvenile justice system that is centered on rehabilitation and reforming youthRead MoreCapital Punishment Should Not Be Abolished750 Words   |  3 PagesCapital Punishment Should Not be Abolished There are many reasons why the United States of America keeps capital punishment. These reasons include the deterrence theory, the idea of retribution, cost of prisons, and general safety of the public. First of all, I’m sure that you have heard of the deterrence theory. Deterrence is basically the fear of punishment; and even though it doesn’t prevent all crimes, the results are still undeniable. The deterrence theory is when criminals think

Hopeless Love Act Of Worship - 1083 Words

Hopeless love: Act of Worship â€Å"When the coffee came, she held out the silver sugar bowl for him to help himself from first, and as he took it their fingertips came into brief contact. She apologized immediately, but a suspicion plagued her that he had seen the contact as premeditated on her part. It continued to plague her in the maddening heat on the train, so that every time the steady waving of the professor’s fan suddenly stopped her heart seemed to stop with it. She had never reacted in this way before. Perhaps the sense of responsibility she’d felt ever since the train had left Tokyo Station had made her oversensitive? The incident, for which there was no way of apologizing naturally, continued to weigh on her till, combining with the heat, it made it impossible for her to enjoy the scenery outside.† In Yukio Mishima’s short story Act of Worship we see Tsuneko, a housekeeper of Professor Fujimiya, accompanying him on a pilgrimage to the Kumano s hrines in the professor’s hometown. Along the way she begins to feel uneasy towards everything. There could possibly be a more hidden meaning behind why Tsuneko is anxious. This paper argues the possibility the Tsuneko is possibly falling for the Professor. Let’s start at the beginning, Tsuneko admits that the only relationship between the Professor and herself is strictly business. However, we’re all human and life, or in this case love, will always find a way. In this passage, nothing really is happening if you look at itShow MoreRelatedThe Apostle Paul s Writing884 Words   |  4 Pagesa biblical outlook of creation, he also states that humanity’s identity originated in God, and that God made man in His own image. Paul also expounds on man’s relationship with God as well as with other creations, and on culture. Paul reveals God’s love for mankind, man’s sinful condition, resulting in him rightly deserving the penalty of death, God ’s amazing grace and his plan of redemption. The Natural World 150-200 In Genesis 1:1-25, the natural world was spoken into being by God the FatherRead MoreMonotheism Is The Most Important And Foundational Concept971 Words   |  4 Pageseverything he creates, and his greatness cannot be compared to anything he created. â€Å"You worship one other than God who has no power to help or to harm you. It is God Who is all-hearing and Who knows the state of all of creation (Mobeen 112). Muslims often refer to God as Allah. His name is related to the Aramaic and Hebrew names for God, Allah and Elohim. Muslims believe in angels, unseen beings who worship God and carry out God s orders throughout the universe. The angel Gabriel brought theRead MoreThe Shah of Bratpur in Players Piano1601 Words   |  7 Pagesthat is better because of its reliance on machines, the Shah instead observes that the people of Ilium have become slaves to their machines instead. Instead of observing a society that worships a religious God and looks to him for inspiration and guidance, the Shah sees that Proteus’ world instead ridiculously worships and obeys the dictates of the giant computer brain EPICAC. Instead of admiring Paul Proteus’ society for granting worth based solely on intelligence, status, and education, the Shah recognizesRead MoreHelen of Troy Does Countertop Dancing1488 Words   |  6 Pagesas a command more than an offer. ‘Helen’ also is able to have men worship and love her: ‘my beery worshippers! That, or a bleary hopeless love.’ (33-34) .This idea of worshipping is again tied back to Helen of Troy who was worshipped however, under these circumstances they do not worship her how Helen of Troy was worshipped but rather as a person of beauty who is entertaining them for sexual arousal. Although they worship her they still undermine her as a woman. They see her and treat her asRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Twelfth Night Essay2147 Words   |  9 Pagesphrase â€Å"I love you† is a staple of the human vocabulary. Defined as â€Å"a passionate affection for another person,† love takes on many forms throughout life and literature (Merriam-Webster). Through its passionate drama and witty repartee, Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare, explores the intricate, and often complicated, realm of interpersonal love. By tracing the intertwining storylines of four unique c haracters, Shakespeare communicates the futility of self-love, the desperation of hopeless love, andRead MoreHelen of Troy Does Countertop Dancing1480 Words   |  6 Pagessaid as a command more than an offer. ‘Helen’ also is able to have men worship and love her: ‘my beery worshippers! That, or a bleary hopeless love.’ (33-34) .This idea of worshipping is again tied back to Helen of Troy who was worshipped however, under these circumstances they do not worship her how Helen of Troy was worshipped but rather as a person of beauty who is entertaining them for sexual arousal. Although they worship her they still undermine her as a woman. They see her and treat her asRead MoreEssay on Peace Child Reflection918 Words   |  4 PagesDeborah Brown Feb. 20. 2012 BBST 306/Acts M. 6-8 PM Reflection Paper Peace Child I never imagined that people such as the Sawi actually exist. I heard stories about them but in the book, Peace Child, written by Don Richardson, the issue has never been more personal. A question that kept arising as I read through the books, was why is treachery so valued? The people were obviously affected and each act of revenge or violence just stimulated more fear among the people. Yet, it was obviousRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1320 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Montagues and Capulets detesting one another and their teen children loving one another, it’s about so much more. Throughout the play, Shakespeare starts off with a simple explanation of love through Romeo’s eyes yet as the play proceeds on, it’s obvious that Shakespeare actually had another meaning of love in mind for Romeo. As confusing as this seems, it’s rather simple for one to wrap their mind around when reading the complex words of Shakespeare. Written no less that 400 years ago, the wordsRead MoreMy Love Of Christ Through One Act Of Kindness Essay999 Words   |  4 Pagesme the love of Christ through one act of kindness. I was a shy sixteen year old boy at that time who played the Christian â€Å"game† to fit in at my Christian School. A typical Wednesday sermon at my school would be the catalyst that lead to a decision that changed my life. The sermon lead me to try out a youth group called fusion where my life would be saved. I am eternally thankful for the kindness I was shown and will forever be changed all because one girl decided she would do what loves doesRead MoreEducation Through a Biblical Worldview1046 Words   |  5 Pagesthan those that lived in Paul’s day. In Romans 1; 20, man is told that even creation speaks to God’s qualities and divine nature. This verse warns that there will be no accepted excuse for denying God as their creator. People live in the flesh and worship everything except God. In Paulâ⠂¬â„¢s time, he struggled with seeing the same abominations (Romans 1; 18-2; 3). People in Paul’s day, just like today, were divided by their beliefs on false gods or in some cases, no gods at all. Paul warns about God’s

Domestic Violence A Part Of Culture - 1498 Words

To this day, domestic violence is seen to be a part of culture in many countries. Some people view domestic violence as unjust and cruel, yet many see it as a form of power and control over another. Domestic violence plays a key role in different societies around the world as it is becoming a social norm. Domestic violence frequently begins when one partner feels the need to control the other. This feeling is sprouted from several factors such as jealousy, low self-esteem, and difficulties in regulating one’s emotions and anger, or when one feels inferior because of his or her education or socioeconomic background (Goldsmith). Researchers state that men with tradition beliefs tend to think they have power over women and that they are inferior to men, which is followed by many stereotypes today. Stereotypes about the â€Å"proper† roles in society differ between men and women due to the cultural beliefs that men are superior which is evident in many family structures aro und the world. These stereotypes â€Å"reinforce the view that the family is a self-contained unit, deserving privacy at the expense of other rights and freedoms† (Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights). Traditionally, women are downgraded to inferior positions in this family structure; however, for victims of domestic violence, this idea of family privacy interferes with operative police involvement and prosecutorial decisions in domestic violence cases. In many countries, people who are interviewed report that theShow MoreRelatedConsequences of Popular Culture1060 Words   |  5 PagesConsequences of Popular Culture A Consequence can be defined as, Something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition. In this matter we are referring to the consequences of Pop Culture towards violence. Violence in general has one meaning, an act of aggression. We will be examining three types of violence in our culture, Domestic violence, Youth violence, and of course Gun violence. We feel that all three of these types of violence have increased in today s society asRead MoreDomestic Violence : South Africa1709 Words   |  7 PagesDomestic Violence in South Africa Love is looked upon as a beautiful thing but within beauty lies darkness in South Africa. There is an unspoken violence against women going on within the communities of south Africa that is now coming to light; domestic violence. Husbands, not strangers or men with guns, are now the biggest threat to women in post-conflict South Africa, according to a report by the International Rescue Committee. Attacked beaten, abused, killed these are sometimes words to describeRead MoreThe Effects Of Domestic Violence On The United States1634 Words   |  7 Pageshuman culture provides us with a look into other cultures from an up-close and distinct perspective, which allows us to better understand their culture and way of life. Taking an objective look at another culture without being somewhat biased can be a difficult task. This being the case, we must examine culture by using emic and etic perspectives. An emic perspective is an insider views; observing the culture from within the culture it self. An etic perspective is an outsider’s view of a culture; evaluatingRead MoreDomestic Violence And Sexual Violence Essay1624 Words   |  7 PagesDomestic violence, also labeled as family violence and intimate-partner violence, is psychological, physical and sexual violence that takes place within home environment. Adults and children can both be victims. Domestic violence is a major human rights issue across the world, and one of New Zealand’s most serious social issues. One in three women in Aotearoa will experience an abusive relationship, with many more coming dangerously close. Reason Domestic violences occurs when the abuser wantingRead MoreThe Connection Between Culture And Violent Behavior1360 Words   |  6 PagesUnit 8 DB 1 Introduction Women all over the world tend to fall victims to domestic violence especially women from other cultures who now find themselves in a world where domestic violence is not ever excepted as the norm. This can cause issues with in the family unit, especially if the women, or girls decide to conform to the American ways. Some cultures allow for their women to be beaten, stone, or raped and the women are at a lost, because there is no help, but by reading the below articles oneRead MoreIntimate Partner Violence And Sexual Relationships1379 Words   |  6 PagesIntimate Partner Violence One of the biggest problems that have been happening in some households over the last numbers of years is intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV has been identified as a world-wide public health concern (Kulwicki and Miller, 1999). The term intimate partner violence has been defined as the physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse between a person and their spouse, this includes cohabitation and marriage. This type of violence will usually involve harm/control from oneRead MoreThe Problem Of Domestic Violence860 Words   |  4 PagesThis research paper is design to help us understand how much of a problem that domestic violence is. This data used in this research was gather from numerous sources including journals, articles and a book. The purpose of using this data from the resources breakdown the components how the police culture and domestic violence operate on the same level on independence without any repercussions or interference the research also looks the responses of Honol ulu Police department and how its policies andRead MoreDomestic Violence : The United States Department Of Justice1741 Words   |  7 PagesDomestic violence is a single act or a pattern of cruel acts in any relationship that a partner uses to get or keep power and control over another partner. The violence can be sexual, physical, economic, emotional, or psychological actions or threats of actions that impacts another person. Any actions that manipulate, intimidate, isolate, humiliate, terrorize, frighten, threaten, coerce, hurt, blame, wound, or injure someone can be domestic violence (The United States Department of Justice). OtherRead MoreViolence Theory And Gender Role Theory942 Words   |  4 PagesThe violence that surrounds homes can be summarized in the culture of violence theory and gender-role theory. The culture of violence theory looks at the broad acceptance of violence in our society and concludes that its acceptance is the foundation for violence within the family. Gender-role theory blames the traditional socialization of children into gender roles. Domestic violence plays a huge part in which parent will have custody of minor children. The culture of violence that is presentedRead MoreThe Violence And Its Effects On The Lives Of Contemporary Native Generations Essay1400 Words   |  6 Pages At the center of Indigenous discourse lies the worrisome subject of suicide. Deeply embedded in Native culture, suicide has come to represent a reminder of a cruel past tainted by violent colonialism. Via inhumane assimilation practices colonialists both directly and indirectly scarred and continue to scar members of the Indigenous community. Trough post traumatic stress mechanism many trauma survivors have and continue to pass their traumatic experiences to subsequent generations. Unintentionally

Creative Writing †My Baby Free Essays

I was walking in the thick white snow, my cheeks pale pink, and my eyes wet, from the cold, razor-sharp wind that seemed to blow across my face. My hands in my pocket, and my head down prevented me from seeing my way, so I raised my head. All of a sudden, my eyes met his across the street; he was tall, with sea blue eyes and long strawberry blond hair, which made him look ugly. We will write a custom essay sample on Creative Writing – My Baby or any similar topic only for you Order Now But his eyes distracted me from seeing his flaws. His small white teeth showing in a smile, when he returned my stare. I was warm; my cheeks grew bright red, my eyes flooded with admiration for his looks. â€Å"Was it love or lust†? I thought as, I continued to stare at him. He was so kind, loving and caring, with a great personality that always made me smile, while I slept. He constantly made me feel good, and I loved him so much; that I could stay awake just to hear him breathing. Due to the fact that we were so young, we couldn’t consummate our love for one another. I was 17, and he was 18, when we both decided that we should take our love to the next level. We wanted it to be special, so we could treasure the moment for the rest of our lives, therefore we lied to our parents about where we were going. We stayed in a cottage, which had a fire place. We made love in front of the fire place. The fire made our body, so hot, and sweaty. I smiled, keeping the pleasure from showing in my eyes. I wish could spend the rest of my life in this sweet surrender. After we made love I felt, like I have never felt before; I was far away dreaming, I was in ecstasy. The art of making love was new to me, but was exhilarating. Satisfaction drowned my body. Our body became one; and we shared deep love and feelings. I have no recollection of being this happy before, but we made one mistake. We forgot to use protection-condom. At school we were never taught sex education. Anytime I asked my mum, about sex she would make me wash my mouth out with soap, then take me to church and tell the priest he should pray for me, because I was turning to sin. I always laughed when she did it. So I did it often just to watch her reaction. Three months later I found out I was pregnant. I knew I was pregnant because I had missed my period for three months; also I got fat, and had morning sickness. I did not tell the father that I was pregnant. I didn’t want to, he wouldn’t have stayed anyway. But every moment I spent with him I treasured. I didn’t want to have the baby, I was too young. I thought of many ways of getting rid of the baby with out killing it. I didn’t know what to do, or who to tell. It was too much for me to handle. So I decided to tell my mum. Telling my mum was the worst. When I told, her normally blue-gray eyes grew green with hatred. Then her lips tightened against her reply â€Å"ok darling†. She did not shout, scream nor sob. I felt as if in her reply there was a plan. Six months later. I was ready to give birth. I preferred making the baby, than  giving birth to it, as I dreamt far away of the night it happened. It was as if my scream of pain, triggered the baby. My baby was born; he was small, and breathtaking. My breath was taken away when my mum said â€Å"you can’t keep him†. There was no way I could speak; my voice had gone with shock. She took my baby away from me. I turned away so she could not see the expressions in my eyes. It took a moment for the shock-wave of pain to travel down my body, to my brain. The agony was so intense that a scream involuntarily tore its way from my throat. I hated her for what she did. My mum and I lived in silence, in a house where the love had been stolen. Although I stayed to take care of her, because she was ill with Alzheimer. Since my baby was gone I had no love to give, I had put a brick wall around my heart, which was guarded by my hatred for the world. At home in the sitting room drinking my daily caffeine shot, while watching DR PHIL, and my mum rambling incoherent words to the T.V. The phone called for me. The voice came through the telephone, echoing through a corridor 12 months long. â€Å"We have an address†, said the voice on the phone, my heart started to beat loud; it got so loud it made the voice the inaudible. 314 maple road, Leicester, could be where  my son lives.  I hesitated when I got to the door. I didn’t want to ruin his happiness, in his new  life. â€Å"But my happiness has already been ruined,† I said selfishly. My finger trembled as  I rang the bell twice. A little boy answered the door. Many questions argued in my mind all at once; could he be my son? Could this be my baby? I felt happy when he spoke; â€Å"hello â€Å"said the soft voice. I could stay lost in this moment forever. How to cite Creative Writing – My Baby, Papers

Down syndrome and Spina Bifida cause, effects an Essay Example For Students

Down syndrome and Spina Bifida cause, effects an Essay d treatment Many individuals are born with defects due to genetic factors. Some such defects occur because the child inherits a defective gene, or genes from the parents. Others are caused through mutations- spontaneous changes that occur to a gene or chromosome. Environmental factors affecting the foetus during the uterine development may also cause defects. If, during pregnancy, a woman smokes, consumes alcohol or other drugs, or suffers dietary deficiencies, the developing foetus may be adversely affected. About one in every seven hundred births is Down syndrome baby. Down syndrome is now more frequently referred to as trisomy- 21, as new individuals with the disorder have three of the chromosome numbers twenty-one. Characteristics of a baby with Downs Syndrome include a small, round head with a large tongue and a broad skull; a short stature and stubby fingers; malformation of the heart, ears, hands and feet; and mental retardation. Sexual maturity is rarely attained. The risk of having a child with Down syndrome increases sharply if a woman is reaching the end of her child-bearing period. For women aged over 45 or over the risk is around one in fifty, whereas for women in their middle reproductive years- around 20-35 years- the risk is only about one in a hundred. Down syndrome can be detected in cells taken from the amniotic fluid of a pregnant woman, in a procedure called amniocentesis. Women having children late in life are strongly advised to have such a test. If the condition is detected early in the pregnancy, the parents have the option of a therapeutic abortion, whereas such practices are legal. About two in every thousand babies born in Australia have a neural tube defect and about half of these have spina bifida. Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spinal column fail to form a complete bony arch around the spinal cord. In about fifty percent of cases it is the lower back region of the spine that is affected. In serious cases, the coverings of the spinal cord and the wall of the spinal cavity itself may protrude, resulting in the opening of the neural canal to the exterior. Surgery to repair this is condition often results in paralysis of the lower limbs and associated lack of control of bowel and bladder functions. In less severe cases the spinal deformity may be small, and when it is repaired the child is able to walk and function normally. The incidence of spina bifida varies considerably between countries. Researchers have been led to believe that there is a strong environmental influence in spina bifida. In recent years a link has been established between inadequate intake of folic acid before and during pregnancy and the incidence of neural tube defects like spina bifida. A genetic link to spina bifida is also likely. All women who have a history of neural defects or spina bifida in the family are at an increased risk of themselves producing a baby with a neural tube defect. However, over ninety five percent of neural tube defects occur in families where there has never been an infected child. In some cases, the factor with the greater effect can be identified; whether it be environmental factors or heredity, but never the factor that is most important. Many of the characteristics displayed by humans are due to the interaction of both heredity and environment. The height to which an individual grows for example, is a case where heredity plays a role in the determination of the end result. If a person has tall parents, it is more likely that he or she too, will also be tall. In addition, growth is affected by environmental factors like nutrition. The question of that of the two factors- heredity or environment is the more important has no simple answer. .