By: William C. G. Wright, Volume 104 Staff Member With the advent of affordable commercial DNA testing services such as 23andMe, Ancestry, and MyHeritage, people are flocking to discover the secrets of their genetic code in unprecedented numbers.[1]  Researchers expect more than 74 million people will add their DNA to commercial databases between 2019 and…

By: Kathryn Campbell, Volume 104 Staff Member The United States loves to exercise control over cis-women’s bodies.[1] Notably, both federal and state governments seemingly fear the exposure of a cis-woman’s exposed “erogenous” areola—although men have them as well.[2] Perhaps the most archaic way in which governments within the United States attempt to regulate women’s bodies…

By Michaela Liesenberg, Volume 104 Staff Member Nationwide, the wedding industry generates annual revenue of over $78 billion.[1] As weddings are highly photographed events, spouses-to-be spend an average of $225 on hair and makeup services for their special day.[2] In 2019, Minnesota hosted 31,712 weddings and, if every couple who wed utilized hair and makeup…

By: Jenni Oprosko, Volume 104 Staff Member Minnesota has a long and complex history with liquor laws. In the 1800’s, Minneapolis created a quasi-zoning scheme to create areas where existing anti-salon laws would not apply.[1] In 1919 a Minnesotan, Andrew Volstead, introduced the act in the House of Representatives that eventually became the prohibition amendment.[2]…

By: Nathan Webster, Volume 104 Staff Member The pay-gap between men and women in the United States is well-established. Hispanic women make 58 cents for every dollar a white man makes.[1] Black women make 67 cents for every dollar earned by a white man.[2] White women make 79 cents.[3] Such disparities also cut across genders,…

By: Kaitie Eke, Volume 104 Staff Member In recent decades, advance care planning[1] (“ACP”) has gained momentum in the United States.[2] Through advance directives, a person can communicate their preferences and designate agents to make healthcare decisions on their behalf should the individual become incapacitated.[3] Those who complete advance directives may experience several benefits, including…

By Lexi Pitz, Volume 104 Staff Member Meat consumption is a long-engrained tradition in the American diet. Recently, many American meat consumers are motivated to consume plant-based meat for reasons such as health, animal welfare,[1] and environmental impact.[2] The booming meat alternative industry lacks federal regulation or guidance on how to label meat alternatives.[3] As…

By: Sarah Nelson, Volume 104 Staff Member George Lucas’s “Episode IV – A New Hope” served as the impetus for what would become the second-highest grossing movie franchise of all time: Star Wars.[1] The 1977 would-be saga that enthralled audiences worldwide featured Jedi Knights and Dark Lords of the Sith engaging in an ongoing war.[2]…

By: Abby Oakland, Volume 104 Staff Member Hong Kong was under siege. Mass protests had been ongoing for months, and the government’s attempts to resolve the dispute had fallen short.[1] Tensions between police and protesters continued to escalate, and in a move sparking global criticism, Hong Kong’s executive used a little-known emergency powers law to…

By: Alec Mitchell, Volume 104 Staff Member I.  INTRODUCTION The basic concept of a loan is simple: an individual walks into a bank and the bank gives them money on their promise to pay it back, with interest. But what if the bank is worried that the individual might not pay the money back? Banks…