The revision is going well. I am concerned and confused on how my paper does not meet what the assignment is asking. I will try to fix my paper so that it meets the requirements so that I do not have to retake this class. I will look at the comments made by the professor and my peer review to make it meet the paper requirements. Lastly, I will fix my citations.
Writing this essay was not too awful because it was on a topic that I was interested in and passionate about. However, I am having trouble expanding ideas and finding more useful information to provide to reader when I feel like I have said all I need to say. When I do find more information, I am adding additional sources and references to a list and I do not want too many sources and it becomes unorganized. The meeting with the professor really helped me shape my paper and help me go in the right direction of the assignment to persuade the reader of my argument instead of just presenting the information to the reader. I plan that the feedback from my peers and my professor on my draft will help expand my thoughts and allow to my argument clear. The resources on blackboard were helpful to get me started and prevent writers’ block from occurring.
1. Friend, Mary Louanne. “Physician-Assisted Suicide: Death With Dignity.” Journal of Nursing Law 14 (2011): 3-4. Web. 8 April 2014.
Discusses the pro and cons that Physician- Assisted Death has on not only the family of the patient but the nurses and doctors that have developed a connection with patients. It also discusses alternatives to this solution regardless of the widespread support of the process. Explains the flaws of Physician-Assisted Death and its short history of the three (now 4) states it is legal in.
I plan use this source in my article determine the negative implications and effects that PAD has on everyone around the patient. I will also use this source to give the reader examples of PAD in the United States and how well it has been going on in these few states. This Source will give the readers of how the United States is using a form of assisted- death.
Briana Beaver-Timmons
Research Proposal
Introduction:
Euthanasia is “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy (Source 1: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia).” It is an issue that I am interested in because I intend to attend medical school and become a physician. This is issue will be something I and other physicians will have to face when we enter the medical field.
A type of euthanasia is legal in 4 states: Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Vermont. Should a patient that is hopelessly sick be permitted to death to end their misery? Should the practice of euthanasia be legalized at the federal level?
Rationale:
I have always been interested the physiology and the medical field. I have seen the older generation of my family suffer from different illnesses. Many of them were bedridden in the hospital and not given much time left to live. I remember a specific family member, my great uncle suffered from an illness that I am still unsure of. I just remember that he was in a lot pain. The physicians kept pain- killers to reduce the pain and he would sleep and all day and could not leave his bed. There was talk in my family about ending my great uncle’s suffering. They could not do anything about it because he did not live in any of the four states that legalized a type of euthanasia. But this experience and my interest in the medical field has made me very interested in this ethical topic.
Research Plan:
I know that a type of euthanasia called Physician Assisted Death is legal in 4 states. The patient has to be terminally ill and must be competent enough to make the decision to die. In the Netherlands, assisted suicide and voluntary Euthanasia has been legal since 2002 (Source 2: http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=7e0accd6-e8d7-45a9-aac2-2e170703e242%40sessionmgr114&vid=3&hid=118). I would still want to research how this practice conflicts with the Hippocratic oath professionals take when they become a doctor. I also would want to research what exactly does the Hippocratic oath entail. I would also want to research the religious and moral aspects of the practice. For example, does it contradict any religions and what are the immoral aspects of the practice. The mental health of the patient making this decision is important for doctors to take into account. How do doctors determine is the patient has the proper mental health the make this decision. Lastly, what is the possibility of the patient living? Is it possible for the patient to survive their illness or condition? These are all aspects that I think are important to consider when researching this issue.
Implications:
This topic is important because there are patients that are in constant misery and suffering that want to end their own life but they are now allowed and prohibited to do it because they are in a hospital setting. However people who are not at in a hospital have the ability to take their own life if they wish to. The argument is that patients in a hospital should have the same right. Physicians and doctors are faced with issue frequently depending on the type of medicine they specialize in. The public should care about this issue because it can affect you or the people you know. You or someone you know can be diagnosed with a disease and become terminally ill. If you or someone you know was in constant misery and suffering with a small chance of survival, would you want to end the suffering? Read this blog supporting Physician Assisted Death: http://www.deathwithdignity.org/2014/04/01/demystifying-death-a-life-moment
Source 1: “Euthanasia.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia>.
Source 2: Lipuma, Samuel H.. Journal of Medicine & Philosophy, Apr2013, Vol. 38 Issue 2, p190-204, 15p, Database: Humanities Source
Source 3: Degnin, Francis Dominic. “Levinas And The Hippocratic Oath: A Discussion Of Physician-Assisted Suicide.” Journal Of Medicine & Philosophy 22.2 (1997): 99. Humanities Source. Web. 2 Apr. 2014.
Source 4: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/oct/11/may-doctors-help-you-die/?pagination=false
Euthanasia
Should euthanasia be legalized federally?
Euthanasia should be legalized in all states so that all patients in the U.S that are competent enough to choose to end their misery can, without the revocation of their physician’s license.
Claims:
Quotes from the constitution/bill of rights/other laws that state this right.
Statistics and facts supporting showing benefits to economy.
Quotes from professionals and patients supporting claim
Quotes, expert opinions on the interpretation of the oath
Counterclaims:
Examples and facts from certain religions.
Quotes from patients, statistics showing percentages.
Expert opinion, studies
Trends, expert opinion, reason
1.Use of Nuclear Energy
I want to research this topic because of the energy crisis we have in our world today. We rely heavily on nonrenewable resources and we have to find alternate sources. Nuclear energy seems to be safe and efficient yet we have very little to no practical use of it. It effects everyone in the U.S and other countries that require energy to live the live we want to live. I know that if there is a flaw in a nuclear power plant or nuclear waste, the consequences would be large due the large amounts of radiation that could kill and harm others. Its controversial because if done properly it can be very beneficial and efficient but the risk of human life if an error occurs is a deal-breaker for some. I would need to find out more specifically how nuclear energy works and the pros and cons. I would like to reach environmentalists and researchers to perfect the process of nuclear energy have politicians fund this new resource.
2.3-Parent Embryos
I want to research this topic because it could be scientific breakthrough that could help a lot of mothers that have a mitochondrial disease. It could effect many mothers and their ability to have a healthy child. I know it requires 3 parents (2 mothers and a father). It could prevent the passing of mitochondrial diseases from a mother to her child. Through research, I would need to find out the process and the safety of this procedure and its success rate if possible. Its morally an issue to have three parents and scientists and doctors can be seen as playing God and designing babies. I would like to reach mothers, scientists, and politicians to continue research on this topic.
3.Human subject Research
I want to research this because researching ideas and hypotheses on humans for those hypotheses concerning humans would be the most productive way to acquire knowledge about such hypotheses. I know that there are certain rules and regulations to human subject research and if these rules are broken there are serious consequences for the offender. I would have to find the exact limitations scientists have and if these limitations are too limiting or not limited enough. People disagree about this topic because morally humans shouldn’t be used as experiments. The world countries have history of human subject testing gone too far. I would like to reach scientists and those that are against human subject testing to see its benefits.
The Monsters and Marvels exhibit was interesting because it gave visual images to the different stereotypes of Asian culture. Each one of the stereotypes were magnified in to separate characters. The brain, the kamikaze, the guru, etc, all represented a different Asian stereotype. The character’s manner as well as the way the specific character looked reflected how society viewed this cultural group.
For example, the character “The Brain” is said to be “hyperintelligent” and other than that he has no personality. This exaggerates the stereotype that all Asians are extremely smart.
What I found the most interesting were the different shades of yellow used throughout the history of the comic to represent the characters. Using the color yellow to represent the characters is a stereotype in itself.
This exhibit is only an example of how the media can portray a specific group of people. The media usually only displays the stereotypes of specific groups and this becomes what the audience familiarizes with, causing the stereotype to spread. African-Americans are often showed as poor, violent, and unprofessional in the media. This would give the impression that all African-Americans are poor, violent, and unprofessional because the media portrays a negative image of the group.
Recently, I believe that images of the media have improved to decrease the amount of stereotypes. However, they are still present and will be difficult to eliminate because stereotypes have become a part of our society. This exhibit brings awareness to the stereotypes we designate to certain groups and to try to change the way we think about others.
Text1: “Why We Need to Understand Science”
Text2: “Which Species Will Live?”
I believe that both articles are using different techniques to convey a message or an argument that they want people know.
1.Sagan uses Nijhuis uses pathos to persuade readers that their argument is valid. Nijhuis uses images,charts, and humanizes the scientists. Sagan humanizes himself as a scientist.
2.Both essays organize themselves in sections to make sure that the reader is not lost. Each section is titled and builds off the previous section.
3.Sagan’s article lacks external ethos because he is a renowned scientist and he has his own ethos. Nijhuis is a journalists so her ethos comes from quotes from scientist and credible sources.
4. Nijhuis uses external logos such as quotes. Sagan uses statistics.
5. Kairos: Sagan’s article was written in 1989 but is still relevant today. Nijhuis’ article is pressing because the conservation triage decisions are being made now.
I believe hat Nijhuis wants the reader to consider two different perspectives in the conclusions of “Which Species Will Survive?” and “Conservation Triage.” In the article “Which Species Will Survive?,” Nijhuis concludes by stating “Just as a battlefield medic works unstintingly to save lives, even while knowing that he or she cannot save them all, societies should still aspire to the Noah Principle—and stuff the ark to the brim (Nijhuis, 79).” The author wants the reader to remember the morally correct mentality to have towards the life of different species- that conservationists and politicians should try their best to protect and save every species just as if they were human lives.
In the second article “Conservation Triage,” Nijhuis ends with the question: “Who gets to board your ark?” This is almost a total opposite perspective than the first article. Here, Nijhuis acknowledges that saving and protecting every species is the right thing to do however, it is unrealistic and there is not enough money or resources to save them all. Human have to make a choice. Not every species can be saved, but some can. Nijhuis states “They force professionals—and, indirectly, voters and taxpayers—to make difficult, emotional decisions, but give them some reassurance that those decisions are for the greater good.” Nijhuis believes that the triage system is the best way to save as much species as possible and these difficult decisions are for the “greater good.”
Nijhuis writes two different articles discussing the conservation of endangered species and how the United States can approach saving these species with limited time, money, and resources. She approaches the essays differently. In the first article “Which Species Will Live?” Nijhuis has a more professional approach. She speaks as if her main focus is to educate and present an issue to the audience in a formal tone. Also this article was printed in Science magazine, which means that the audience is those who already have a familiarity with science language and have some background knowledge in the subject. In this article, Nijhuis gives a detailed breakdown of the purpose of the triage in animal conservation. She explains the government’s influence on which species will be protected. She says “politicians would choose short economic rewards over long-term conservation goals.” She presents the issue thoroughly and professionally based on her educated and knowledgeable audience.
In the article “Conservation Triage” Nijhuis has more of a casual approach. She begins her article by posing a question to the reader to get them to think about issue of using a triage system in the conservation of species. I believe she is trying to get the reader to form an opinion by posing questions and not just presenting the information to the reader. In this article, the author is appealing to a more general audience. This article was published on Slate.com which is an informational website that published articles in politics, science, and current events. This audience is not solely scientists or those knowledgeable in science. This audience is more of the average American that is interested in current events. This explains why in the second article Nijhuis gives enough information to explain the issue but doesn’t go in to as much detail as she did in the first article because she doesn’t want to bore the reader with excessive detail and explanation.
The two articles contain the same content but it portrayed differently due to the different audiences Nijhuis is adhering to. Her strategy was effective and I believe the completed the purpose of essay based on the audience of each.
WRT 102.22: Science & Society 