rape

Farm and oilseed rape field, Alberta, Canada. The most westerly of the prairie provinces, Alberta's agricultural industry is a mainstay of its economy.

In botany, either of two plant species of the mustard family grown for their seeds, which yield a pungent edible oil. The common turnip is a variety of B. rapa and the swede turnip is a variety of of B. napus. (Genus Brassica rapa and B. napus, family Cruciferae.)

Oilseed rape, or canola, is the world's third most important oilseed crop. Plant breeders developed it from the ‘weed’ rapeseed (B. napus oleifera). The first variety was marketed 1974, and the bright yellow fields of oilseed rape in flower are now a familiar sight in the countryside.

Rape methyl ester provides a renewable replacement for diesel fuel that gives off fewer sooty particles and none of the sulphur dioxide that causes acid rain.

A German study 1995 estimated that yields of oilseed rape in northern Europe had been declining at a rate of 5% a year since 1990. This decline was linked to sulphur deficiency diseases resulting from reductions in sulphur emissions; although acid rain is harmful to plants it does provide necessary sulphur.

rape

In law, sexual intercourse without the consent of the subject. Most cases of rape are of women by men. In Islamic law a rape accusation requires the support of four independent male witnesses.

Rape and sexual abuse are systematically used in many countries, such as Pakistan, against women in police custody; and in warfare, to intimidate civilian populations and force ethnic groups to flee. Tens of thousands of women were raped in the conflicts in former Yugoslavia.

Some jurisdictions allow charges of rape to be brought against husbands replacing older legal doctrine asserting a wife's duty to submit to sex with her spouse. Sexual intercourse with a minor, not necessarily involving penetration, is defined as statutory rape (see child abuse).

In August 1996 legislation requiring the chemical castration of repeat sex offenders was approved in California, USA. Under the new law offenders will be given periodic injections of drugs designed to reduce their testosterone levels. Alternatively, they can choose to undergo surgical castration. The legislation is considered as the toughest yet taken against sex offenders but is being challenged by civil-rights groups.