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Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues > General
Rustling under a leafy tree, A greedy shrew could hardly see...
Shrew has spent his entire life using only one sense to hunt - his
sense of smell. Until a horrible case of the flu forces him to make
use of the rest of his senses. Once he hones the art of hunting -
using more than just his nose - he can't help but gobble up every
snack in sight. The question is, can Shrew restore the forest he so
dearly loves? 'The Shrew with The Flu' is a wonderfully warm and
endearing story by budding author Will Hamilton-Davies, created in
partnership with illustrator Jennifer Davison. The combination of
rhyming verse and rich, vibrant illustrations, makes this
environmentally themed story the perfect read-aloud for every
family. While on the surface 'The Shrew with The Flu' is an
endearing story about a shrew's quest for food, it also holds a
powerful message about greed and empathy, a message that fosters
love and respect for our natural world.
Individuals and corporations increasingly own our world. New
property rights now enable the private possession of life and
ideas, driven by the profit motive. Genetically engineered crops,
patented computer programmes, harvesting of human cells, and the
exploitation of biodiversity, molecules and atoms for private
profit are just some of the issues examined in this title, making
it an essential read for anybody who has wondered, "What does this
mean for me?" This collection of essays analyses this steady
erosion of our human rights and destiny. Among the many examples
illustrated in A patented world? are - An American company owns the
patents on two breast cancer genes and for the next 20 years it can
exclude any, but its own researchers, from testing or using the
genes in search of a genetic cure for breast cancer. The company
can set whatever price it chooses for the exclusive right to test
for the presence of these genes. The present price of sending a
tissue sample to its laboratory is US$2760. Another is the case of
a Mr Moore in America who went to court to secure the property
right to cells from his own spleen. He lost the case and doctors
created a billion-dollar cell line from his "naturally occurring
raw material".
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