Economy and Infrastructure in South Africa Term Paper

Economy and Infrastructure in South Africa - Term Paper Example Similarly, the country’s GDP is continually increasing. In 2007, the country’s GDP rose by 5.1%. Analyzing the average income of the country reveals South Africa to be a moderately rich country with per capita GNP of US $5685 as per World Bank statement of fiscal year 2008. Thus, the country may be ranked as an upper-middle-income country. The South African economy is very much based on trade. More than 50% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated from trade. By adopting modern technologies for production purposes, the country’s products have become very competitive in the international market. The country’s exports mainly include minerals, agricultural produce, machinery, vehicles, electric appliances and chemical products. Gold is one of the most important exports of the country. However, the exports of other goods and services consist of one-fourth of the country’s total GDP generating from trade sector. Other minerals and chemicals contribute more than 30% towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) generating from this sector and the rest is contributed by other products such as tobacco, food, drinks as well as textiles. Imports consist of machines, chemicals and plastic products. The industry of South Africa is making up 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. The industry sector includes quarrying and mining. The mining sector still plays an important part in the country’s economic progress. However, the country has lessened its economic reliance on mining and raw materials export, especially that of gold, over the few preceding years. The agriculture sector of the country, including forestry and fisheries, makes a very small contribution towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country which is only 5%. However, it should be noticed that mining and agriculture is relatively more important for the economy of South Africa than the GDP figures shows. The reason behind it is that the

Negative Factors Involving Surrogate Parenting Research Paper

Negative Factors Involving Surrogate Parenting - Research Paper Example There has been ongoing debate on the legality of surrogacy, whether it should be allowed, or not (Hatzis, 2009). This essay seeks to delineate the negative factors involving surrogate parenting and hence advocating for its prohibition. To begin with, a majority of the developed countries have denounced the practice of surrogate parenting. They include countries like Germany, France, Denmark, Great Britain, Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, and Australia. Germany and the United Kingdom are countries in which impose incarcerations on anyone found practicing surrogate parenting. Other countries have also developed commissions that inquire on surrogate parenting as a social menace. However, the United States unlike other developed countries has no sanctions as pertains to surrogate parenting. Many researchers have attributed this to adulation of personage rights and the protective approach to families (Markens, 2007). Surrogate parenting is an act against humanity. This was evident in a TV talk show where the issue on unwanted babies arose. These babies were referred to as unwanted when they were born physically challenged. Neither the surrogate mothers nor the donor parents accepted the child as their own. This was not until DNA was carried out and determined the genetic makeup of the child was similar to that of the husband of the surrogate mother. This is an act against humanity since a child born physically challenged should be given the love that is accorded to a normal child. Surrogate parenting incorporate segregation of disabled children an act that is not morally right (Stephenson, 2009). Additionally, surrogate parenting is a health risk to the surrogate parents. This is because the surrogate mother increases her chances of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease from the donor in the process of insemination. This occurs in situations where the surrogate mother is inseminated with