Embryonic Stem Cells
Caitlin Meriwether
Composition & Rhetoric 317
September 24, 2012
Embryonic vs. Adult Stem Cells - Why Jean Swenson Doesn't Support Embryonic Research and Why An Audience Would Listen
As science becomes more and more advanced, there are many more ways to combat illnesses. Some of these are more successful and widely known, but one of the more controversial is stem cell research. In the article "Embryonic Stem Cell Fairy Tales", Jean Swenson attempts to educate the public on why she believes many are prone to believing that embryonic stem cells (which have not been successfully used on humans) are the cure to many fatal diseases and illnesses. She goes on to argue that this is an idealist's belief and not a valid way to cure any ailments, and suggests that adult stem cells and cord blood cells are a much more valid treatment. With her use of rhetoric, Swenson is able to formulate an argument that first appeals to the audience with personal testimony and putting the article forth in a simpler manner than perhaps a scientific journal, but then expanding on that to include many authorities and studies on stem cell research. Finally, in perhaps her strongest argument, the author appeals directly to the audience by asking them to look at the information and form their own opinion on it, asking them to make informed decisions based on their common sense. Jean Swenson opens up her argument strongly -- by adding a touch of personal interest and making the science seem more understandable and interesting to the audience. "The Emperor's New Clothes", a story referenced in the opening is well-known and implies that the author wanted to make a familiar impression on the audience (Swenson, 625). She ties this story of the emperor with the false clothing into stem cell research -- proclaiming that the audience is just like the emperor and putting faith in "an illusive belief that embryonic stem cells will cure us" (625). When the author puts this spin on stem cell
Composition & Rhetoric 317
September 24, 2012
Embryonic vs. Adult Stem Cells - Why Jean Swenson Doesn't Support Embryonic Research and Why An Audience Would Listen
As science becomes more and more advanced, there are many more ways to combat illnesses. Some of these are more successful and widely known, but one of the more controversial is stem cell research. In the article "Embryonic Stem Cell Fairy Tales", Jean Swenson attempts to educate the public on why she believes many are prone to believing that embryonic stem cells (which have not been successfully used on humans) are the cure to many fatal diseases and illnesses. She goes on to argue that this is an idealist's belief and not a valid way to cure any ailments, and suggests that adult stem cells and cord blood cells are a much more valid treatment. With her use of rhetoric, Swenson is able to formulate an argument that first appeals to the audience with personal testimony and putting the article forth in a simpler manner than perhaps a scientific journal, but then expanding on that to include many authorities and studies on stem cell research. Finally, in perhaps her strongest argument, the author appeals directly to the audience by asking them to look at the information and form their own opinion on it, asking them to make informed decisions based on their common sense. Jean Swenson opens up her argument strongly -- by adding a touch of personal interest and making the science seem more understandable and interesting to the audience. "The Emperor's New Clothes", a story referenced in the opening is well-known and implies that the author wanted to make a familiar impression on the audience (Swenson, 625). She ties this story of the emperor with the false clothing into stem cell research -- proclaiming that the audience is just like the emperor and putting faith in "an illusive belief that embryonic stem cells will cure us" (625). When the author puts this spin on stem cell