Halichoerus grypus....

Do you know what a Halichoerus grypus is?... Well let me tell you! A Halichoerus grypus is what we know as the Grey Seal. The seal can be found on both shores of the North Alantic ocean and comes from a large seal famil:phocidae (true seals). It is the only species that is classified in the genus Halichoerus species. The grey seal is also known as the Alantic Grey Seal.

Size: It is the average seal size which is reaching 2.5–3.3 m long and weighing up to 300 kg. The seals are huge and cows are often compared to be small creatures when compared to the seal.

Ecology: Typically found in large numbers across the coast lines. They occassionaly come to shore to rest, but prefer being away from the public.

Diet: The seal loves a variety of fish. Also, sea eels are a very important ingredient to their diet.

Reproduce: They reproduce "pups" that are born in the months september-november. In the Eastern Alantic Ocean:January-February. The pups are born with a fur and within months they shed their coat and begin to get their adult coat.

Current Status: The number of Grey Seals are increasing due to the protection of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Thanks for a great class everyone! Have an awesome and good luck with the rest of your academic career!!!!

-Becky

Evolution and Extinction

I do not believe that we are experiencing a mass extinction. I believe that in the process of life, organisms live and die. Although it appears there are a lot of organisms going extinct, I do not believe we have to worry. For the other animals have gone extinct and new animals have been given life. It is a process that I do not worry about depleting all together. For some reason, when I think of mass exctinction, I think of the world becoming bare and dry, which I do not believe is the case. What are your thoughts? Please feel free to disagree.

What about theories?

The world is filled with theories. As we learned in the beginning of class, theories must be proven. When it comes to the topic of evolution, it can get very "sticky". This is becuase of how people credit what they consider to be actual evidence. Some people will accept little evidence and some require a detailed analysis on the theory. I do not believe that they people stating "just a theory" are intentionally trying to undermine the theory. They are simply stating that it is a theory amongst many theories. People pick and choose what "theories" to believe, atleast they are acknowledging it as a theory rather then avioding the subject altogether.
Unfortunately, I think people will naturally take offense when other people do not believe what they consider to be true and that is when everyone becomes defensive.

Cloning of Pets...

Hello Readers,

I hope you are all having a lovely day! I recently read the article that was posted for this weeks blog and it was shocking, but not. Does that makes sense? I was surprised, but not suprised. Technology today is such an evolving economy that it does not suprise me how much money people will spend to try and recreate memories of the past. I think it is very sad... I have noticed more and more these days how people spend so much time working and earning money, that they do not have any fun. It is like we are losing the zest of life.
I once heard a comedian have a skit on Tivo. He talked about how people now record shows and go out, when the whole purpose of going out is to get away from the tv! I think people are doing the same thing with life today, there is no safety net! One should enjoy life and everyday that God has given, today. I feel like people try to work hard and save time, money, and life for when they can enjoy it. But the truth is, the opportunity is to enjoy it now! I think people feel the same way with their pets. People get so caught up in everyday life and forget to dedicate time to their pets. As I have been interning at the Placer SPCA, I have realized what a huge commitment and responsibility it is to have a pet. I think that cloning animals is kind of a waste of money. For it is trying to help you enjoy something that is of the past in the present. Is this making sense?
I just think that money could be put to better use if people enjoyed the what they have presently. I actually new a family who cloned their dog and they were very disapointed. Although the clone dog looked exactly like their previous dog, they said the personality was totally different. These are just some of my thoughts, what are yours?

Help!

Hello Everyone,

I am having trouble figuring out number 3 on the genetic problems. I have half of the information completed but what about determining the gender of the children? I know this is probably super easy, and I am just missing it. But any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

Genetics + Insurance= Good?

I think that this is a sticky situation. I am not convinced that providing the insurance company with a set of genetics would be beneficial for a couple of reasons. 1) I do not want my genetics floating around in an office or visible to un-necessary eyes. 2.) I would not want my genetics to affect my insurance policy (not saying it would), but I would not want it to be a factor in my mind. We cannot help the genetics we are given! 3) If there is no purpose for the company to have it, then what is the point?! I would be more likely to give them my information if they were going to pursue different health benefits for my personal life style, or could help with health preventions. But... that is not their purpose. These are just some of my thoughts... What are yours?

Technology Today

So I am trying to get a head start on this week's homework. I find the topic of technology to be very interesting. I think technolgy is great! It helps with so much innovation for how the world functions and the way the world can conduct business in an efficent and effective manner. However, my views with technology that interfere with the unborn human life is where I become skeptical. Although this technology has a strong appeal for most individuals, I find it to be invasive. It would be good to get tested, I do not believe that baby should be aborted if it is unhealthy. I could see the argument of how this could help one prepare for the future. But I don not believe the child should be aborted.
I know, I know this gets to be a personal topic. But this is the main reseason why I am not a firm believer in this type technology. Personally, I would not have this technology administered on my children. Not to find the color of their eyes, not to determine the gender. I believe that each child is a precious gift from God and should be treated as such. These are my personal views and you are free to disagree. Hope you all have a great week!