Treasure Times

Imagine a society where the ability to produce the ‘perfect' child is a possibility. The opportunity to eliminate all genetic diseases with a few simple modifications to the genetic makeup. A society in which forthcoming parents can skim through a hypothetical catalogue and shop for desired traits to ‘design’ their children. This imagined world may soon become a reality through the rapid development of genetic engineering. Modern-day society encourages us to strive to be 'perfect', but what is perfection? Hungerford (1878) devised the well-known phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" therefore suggesting that perfection is merely subjective while others perceive it to be a fictional term that is impossible to achieve. The term ‘designer babies’ has become part of everyday language. But what is a ‘designer baby’?   The Oxford Dictionary defines it as a "baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected, manipulated or changed at an embryonic st...

"What do you want to do after this degree?" Putting young people under the spotlight and asking them about their plans is one of the many wonderful ways to make them doubt themselves. Now, I’m not saying one should not motivate and encourage young students to do something with their future, but making a worried or confused face when they tell you they’re not sure, is not the best move.  People’s perception of a certain age as being the deadline or benchmark for significant life events is problematic. What people often fail to understand is that progress is not quick and constant, it’s slow and different for everyone. One cannot be expected to thoroughly plan their entire future in 20 years. At the tender age of 20, young adults have not yet experienced enough to completely understand their dreams, likes, or dislikes. Just because someone is 30 years old, doesn't mean that they should own a house, have a well-paying job and be completely "settled" in life. It’s u...

I, a 21-year-old female, have not always worn the hijab. It was only 3 years ago when I decided to cover my hair. However, I was not aware of the prejudice one might face when covering the head. Not only prejudice from the non-Muslims in the west, but even Muslims in Muslim countries.  I genuinely did not expect to face such criticism for wearing a piece of cloth on my head. As with instances where one tries new things and gets compliments or appreciation, I expected to receive this appreciation for taking such a big step in my life. However, instead, I was welcomed with a series of scorns and unwanted advice on how to take it off.  I think one of the worst instances of prejudice is when people think I am illiterate because of how I choose to dress. It is evident how differently people are treated based on how “modern” they look. One especially degrading experience included when I went to audition for a news anchoring job.  Right at the start, no one took me seriously, th...

Going to London, the first place one would visit would be Central London, especially if it's your first time going. However, if I went to London for the first time again I would've hoped someone told me about these places, which are just as popular but somehow don't get enough recognition as the main tourist places. If you're like me, someone who enjoys experiencing such things instead of just plain sightseeing then this is the place for you.   Warner Bros. Studio The Warner Bros. Studio is located in Londons Covent Garden. It's where all the eight films of Harry Potter were produced. It's a three and a half hour tour that gives a wonderful insight into how the producers brought the series to life. The tickets range from £84.00 per ticket for a child and around £89.00 per ticket for an adult. This is one of the most famous places in London due to it being the only studio located here for such a worldwide phenomenon. A tour here would make your experienc...