þÿ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <title>Inner Outer Partner</title> <style type="text/css"> <!-- A:link { text-decoration: none; color:"#800000"; background: none } A:visited { text-decoration: none; color:"#52A552"; background: none } A:hover { text-decoration: underline; color:"#0000FF"; background: none } --> </style> </head> <body BACKGROUND="../tile10.gif" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <A HREF="../index.html"><IMG SRC="../title5.gif" WIDTH="315" HEIGHT="82" BORDER="0" ALT="Home Page"></A> <TABLE WIDTH="100%" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" BORDER="0"> <TR valign="top"> <TD width="150"><TABLE WIDTH="140" CELLSPACING="4" CELLPADDING="2" BORDER="0"> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../purpose.html">Our Purpose</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../aboutus.html">About Us</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../meditation.html">Meditation</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../newsletters.html">Newsletters</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../artists.html">About the Artist</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../pubs.html">Publications</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../events.html">Upcoming Events</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../links.html">Links</A></TD> </TR> <TR align="right"> <TD><A HREF="../contactus.html">Contact Us</A></TD> </TR> </TABLE> </TD> <TD width="1" bgcolor="#52a552"></TD> <TD><TABLE CELLSPACING="2" CELLPADDING="2" BORDER="0"> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="center"><FONT SIZE="+1"><B>A Larger View</B></FONT></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="center"><CENTER>Another Approach to Current Events</CENTER></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD width="30%"><B>Volume XII Edition 5</B></TD> <TD align="center"><B>September/October</B></TD> <TD align="right" width="30%"><B>2007</B></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="3"> <HR> <FONT SIZE="+1"><B>In this issue:</B></FONT> <BR> <B>Transgenic Animals: Is That What We Really Want? <BR> Recycling Experience: Using Our Political Elders<BR> Footbaths For Muslims: Rightful Accomodation?<BR> United Nations Day: Celebrating What?<BR> Website of Interest <BR> To Ponder On </B> <BR> <BR><BR> <B>Transgenic Animals:<BR>Is That What We Really Want?</B> <BR> Somewhere on an experimental farm there lives a pig whose manure causes less pollution, another who produces extra milk for her piglet and still another who can produce fatty acids found in fish so that eating that bacon if not good for you would at least not have the drawbacks of regular bacon. Somewhere else salmons can be made to grow twice as fast. These transgenic animals, sometimes called genetically modified organisms or GMO s are usually made through the manipulation of genes. What the reverberations of gene manipulation may end up being down the road is not known. Also unknown is whether consumers will accept such products. Just like the milk and meat from cloned animals, not otherwise altered, which has been declared safe for human consumption, consumers may be wary. <BR> The proposed experiments sound so reasonable. Who can argue with cleaner air and healthier food? But that may be where we trap ourselves because looked at through a larger lens those may not be the real issues. One issue would be to what extent do we want to alter species for our benefit? Another is what are the consequences of such gene manipulation? Are we to use the animal kingdom to suit ourselves without regard to their place in the planetary order of things? Are we so egocentric that we still assume, as many did generations ago, that animals are here to be used for our own purpose? If bacon is bad for us, why eat it? Why not learn not to consume it rather than alter a whole specie? Would we want to be manipulated in such a way? As the specie with the greatest ability to use the mind and the ability to think through consequences, do we not have the responsibility to species less endowed at least until such time when they may continue to evolve and more overtly catch up with us? If as we are increasingly realizing, we are the stewards of the environment, doesn t that stewardship also include animals? And if so where ought we to draw the line? <BR> As it stands investors are reluctant to jump in and pour money into the development of transgenic animals because the field is still too amorphous since the regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, have not committed resources and are shying away from the regulations that would formally delineate maybe endorse-- it. And that is fortuitous because it means that it is time for us to think these issues through, and make our choices known. <BR><BR> <B>Recycling Experience:<BR> Using Political Elders</B> <BR> Last July, to celebrate Nelson Mandela s 89th birthday, the Elders, a group of seasoned statespeople, gathered in Johannesburg. It was a double occasion, for besides Mandela s birthday, they were hailing what the Mail Guardian newspaper of South Africa called the formation of a brain-trust of world leaders bringing together people like former president Jimmy Carter and former U.N. chief Kofi Annan to tackle some of the world s worst problems. Mandela told the group that after a lifetime of public service they could offer both wisdom and independence of thought--The latter referring to the fact that these men and women no longer have elections to win or careers to build. Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair  Mandela told the Elders. Although the idea is said to be that of British tycoon Richard Branson and musician Peter Gabriel, of the luminaries who addressed the crowd, it was Mandela who clearly was the star.<BR> The idea is so simple, to gather the most experienced and in some cases the wisest and put them to work to help us solve some of our thorny issues. It seems it ought to have occurred to someone before. Perhaps it did and egos, as well as political agendas and barriers threatened the implementation. Perhaps such obstacles still exist, and could interfere with the success of the endeavor. After all would the United States accept a pact with Iran hammered out by Mandela, no matter how respected he may be? Regardless of the snags ahead, or even of the motives of any of the participants, using experience, seeking wisdom and trying to bypass politics can only be something we need to support and utilize as often as possible <BR><BR> <B>Footbaths for Muslims: <BR> Rightful Accommodations?</B> <BR> The University of Michigan at Dearborn is installing footbaths in two remodeled special unisex bathrooms so that Muslim students can better wash their feet before praying. As one can surmise the move has its critics. The Islamic Community was ready to raise $25,000 for the purpose but the University declined saying it could avoid using taxpayers funds and use student fees instead, a move that seems logical since this is for students comfort and well being. From the University s point of view the new bathrooms are a practical solution. Muslim Students have used the sinks of several bathrooms for several years and many are now detaching from the walls, so installing footbaths is a way to avoid future repairs as well as provide Muslim students with an amenity related to the practice of their faith. To outsiders, the construction of remodeled bathrooms equipped with footbaths equipped bathrooms is anything from an unfair accommodation to a violation of the separation of Church and State even though the ACLU, a fierce advocate of that separation, is on the side of installing the footbaths.<BR> To non-muslims the issue may sound minor, but to those for whom the Koran is sacred, the instruction of ritual washing before prayers, clearly and specifically spelled out in the Koran, is part of that sacredness. Kosher food sounds superfluous to non-Jews or non-observant Jews, but is a necessity for practicing Orthodox Jews. Many universities now serve kosher food or make provisions for observant students to have access. Why not then extend the same treatment to Muslim students and allow the footbaths without criticism, fanfare, or uncharitable thoughts and remarks? <BR><BR> <B>United Nations Day:<BR> Celebrating What?</B> <BR> October 24th is traditionally celebrated as United Nations Day, the organization birthday in a way. Now 62 years after its founding there are those who wonder how useful it is. In the United States, for example, polls show that two thirds of Americans think the UN is doing a poor job. Perception goes a long way in creating that percentage. Yet, the facts about the UN, when seen in their totality, make us question whether the organization is as ineffectual as perception has it and perhaps lead us to reach another conclusion. <BR> The budget of the only world body in existence, for example, is about $20 billion, smaller than that of many universities. Ten percent goes to the Secretariat, the often most visible part of the organization and $7 billion go to support peacekeeping in places like Lebanon, Haiti, the Balkans or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN specialized agencies take up the rest of the budget. These agencies do work often without proper recognition or understanding of their importance, be it that of UNESCO, the World health Organization, the World Food Program or that the UN High Commission for Refugees. The huge refugee crisis in Iraq has made that organization more public and known to some, but known or not, the UN agencies tirelessly engage in solving many vital problems such as trying to eradicate Polio, preventing epidemics, or working with AIDs and avian flu.<BR> The UN can only be as important as its member nations allow it to be. Almost every nation in the world belongs, but each seems to have its own agenda and the consensus needed to get things done often reflects the status of our ability (or is it inability) to work together as a family of nations a status that is nascent, tested, struggling, sometimes reminiscent of the travails of adolescence. <BR> It is easy to point to the mistakes, the disappointments, the fallacies, the weaknesses of the UN, particularly during an administration which has, at best, ambivalent feelings about it. Such a focus may blur its importance, strengths and even promise, but not cloud them altogether. To get back to a more even keel, to a more accurate perception of the UN, we may need to ask ourselves how much more unsafe and harsher would the world be without it? <BR><BR> <B>Website of Interest: <A HREF="http://www.mbaswithoutborders.com" TARGET="_blank">www.mbaswithoutborders.com</A> <BR> Helping Yourself While helping Others </B> <BR> Another Option For MBA's <BR> Somewhat in the tradition of Doctors Without Borders, MBAs Without Borders matches MBAs with a need to exercise their social conscience with need in developing nations. By providing knowledge and experience to local businesses and NGOs, the host country s economic development is strengthened. For the MBA doing such work adds a dimension of purpose and meaning. While similar organizations tend to work on volunteer services, MBAs Without Borders assumes a salary, but one that is usually lower than what an individual would receive in the West. In some cases, however, the MBAs are asked to just volunteer for four to six months. <BR> This may not be the kind of web site most of us will gravitate to, but it is the kind of organization that helps us understand that there is more than self interest in business, that there are people and forums where service is acknowledged and engaged in. <BR><BR> <B>To Ponder On <BR> The Power Of Light</B> <BR><BR> &quot;What is meant by light? To gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.&quot;<BR> <CENTER>Nikos Kazantzakis, author of &quot;Zorba The Greek&quot;</CENTER> <HR> A Larger View is published by the Inner\Outer Partnership, a tax-exempt educational organization probing how trans-religious spiritual principles can be agents of individual and societal change. We are funded through donations. Please send any - as well as any comments - to P.O.Box 1293, Pac. Pal. CA 90272-1293. Also contact us by email at <A HREF="mailto:alargerview@earthlink.net">alargerview@earthlink.net</A> or call 310-836-7710 or visit our web site at www.innerouterpartnership.org <BR><BR> To un-subscribe, send an email to <A HREF="mailto:alargerview@earthlink.net">alargerview@earthlink.net</A></TD> </TR> </TABLE> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </body> </html>