cinnamon coffee, again.. yum

THREE PROPOSED TOPICS FOR EXPERIENCE PAPER:

1. Female Circumcision (Genital Mutilation)
In Judaism, when a male turns 8 days old, he must be circumcised. I personally have been to a few circumcision rituals, including that of my brother's. Another aspect widely discussed in Judaism is women's "inferior" status. Experiencing both attending a circumcision and grappling with female equality, I thought it may be interesting to look at other religions takes on such issues, specifically female circumcision. From a religious standpoint, the religions, like African tribes and Muslim sects, that practice this believe they are justified because it prevents a woman from engaging in sexual intercourse before marriage. This makes her more desirable for marriage and keeps her under her father's control. However, from a medical standpoint and human rights position, this practice is very controversial because of the many physical complications it imposes on a woman against her will. If this were my topic, I would hope to explore the issue by tackling the controversy around it, while personally relating my religious experiences and feminine beliefs.

**What is female circumcision and the four different forms of it? What are the medical consequences? Is religion above medicine and unalienable rights? Does female "inferiority" benefit or hurt women? How does Judaism circumcision and belief compare and contrast these religion's beliefs (specifically from my personal life)?  How should America react to such a distant issue?

2. Plastic Surgery
Without even thinking about it, I can name four friends who have gotten nose jobs. I also know people like my Grandmother who have used plastic surgery to reconstruct their bodies after traumatic events, like breast cancer. As seen, in some cases plastic surgery can truly help and change people's lives while in others it simply enhances them. I personally find cosmetic plastic surgery troubling on a medical, religious, and ethical level. But we do live in a country with the freedom to choose to receive it.    

**What are the differences between the cosmetic and medical uses of plastic surgery? How do people who receive cosmetic surgery justify altering their bodies? Is it appropriate for society to have the option to physically change their bodies for superficial purposes? What is beauty? How does society's definition of beauty impact its people? Is this healthy and appropriate? Does freedom of choice cover this right? Would the abolition of it help sway society to focus less on fitting the definition of beauty?

3. Doctor Over-diagnosis
My Grandfather died two years ago after a failed third cardiac surgery. It was sudden and very painful to deal with, primarily because if doctors had left him alone my family would get to enjoy his presence for longer than we did. He seemed fairly healthy before the surgery and was therefore given the surgery in the first place. While we all harbor emotional hurt and frustration against those doctors who over-diagnosised him, we have to wonder whether they are to blame or if they were just following protocol.

**What credentials do doctors have to make the decisions they do? Is always following protocol necessary in statistically unfavorable situations? Do people always adhere to their advice  from the "white coat" syndrome? How do we prevent over-diagnosis?