Stem Cell research is a controversial scientific research in which a human embryonic stem cell is the source of experimentation. Embryonic stem cells, used in the research, come from a four to five day old fetus. These cells are pluripotent and can replicate an infinite amount of times. Pluripotent means that they are able to produce any cell in a human adult or fetus. Stem cell researchers hope to one day be able to use these cells to cure human genetic disorders. With these cells, scientists hope to be able to replace organs, tissue, blood, muscles and many other vital components of the human body.
Cinnamon Stillwell, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle provided me with an article on stem cell research. The article, Crossing The Ethical Line in Stem Cell Research (2005), was written when the research was causing a ton of controversy in the political world. Stillwell was a strong believer in the opposition of Proposition 71, stem cell research. She provided her insight on the political, ethical, and religious views with the help of the three strategies: ethos, pathos and logos. Stillwell ultimately wanted to get across “the genie has already been let out of the bottle... and the ethical line...has indeed been crossed” (Stillwell, 2005).
Throughout the article, I was able to identify her uses of the three strategies. Some were stronger than the others. I saw that Stillwell didn’t use as many examples of pathos, which made her appear more credible and not over-the-top emotional. Also, I didn’t see many uses of ethos, either. She didn’t add any personal information that could have linked her to stem cell research and turn her into a biased person trying to force her ideas and experiences upon the reader. Stillwell did use a large amount of logos, providing logical insight on questions brought up in the paper along with evidence from writers, politicians and others who have an opinion about the research.
Stillwell used the writing strategy ethos in small dosages. The use of ethos can either help or hurt a writer’s message by adding bias opinions or conflict of interest. Stillwell used just the right amount of “credibility” in letting the reader know she isn’t a crazy anti stem cell research activist. Stillwell said that she knows liberal people disliked George W. Bush so much when he was running for president in 2004 they basically said, “Whatever Bush is for, I’m against,” and did not agree with that view whatsoever (Stillwell, 2005). This can present the reader the idea that she isn’t believing in something only because a person she doesn’t agree with, does.Not showing that you have reason to be on one side of the controversy shows that she is not a biased writer.
Another example of great ethos use is when Stillwell said, “Everyone understands the pain of people with relatives who suffer from illnesses, and their desire to end that suffering,” (Stillwell, 2005). Stillwell acknowledged that she does relate to everyone with an opinion on stem cell researching to find cures of diseases. She did not, however, go overboard saying that this thought alone was enough to put her in either sides of the controversy. Stillwell simply wants her readers, against or for stem cell research, to know that she has insight like everyone else.
The use of pathos can either “move” you audience or discredit the writer. I don’t want to read an article pertaining to scientific research filled with emotion. This would make me believe the author has no real evidence and is relying on human emotion to take over and change our opinions. The emotion that Stillwell did insert in her article was mainly, worry, thoughtfulness, and shock. Stillwell did not overwhelm the reader with uncontrollable emotion as some writers on this topic would have. Stillwell genuinely wants people to go over the issues and form their own opinions.
A strong use of pathos in the article is when Stillwell compares stem cell researchers to that of Nazi scientists and doctors. Stillwell said, “It was doctors and scientists who were given inordinate amount of power over decisions of life and death,” saying that doctors and scientists from the present are practicing the same “attitudes” as those working for the Nazi force (Stillwell, 2005). This little amount of pathos really shocked me as a reader. No one in modern day wants to be compared to or linked to Nazis in any way. Nazi automatically gives a negative connotation and gut wrenching feeling to anyone.
Another example of Stillwell’s use of pathos is this quote, “Would one’s child be happy to learn later in life that his or her good health came at the destruction of another life?” (Stillwell, 2005). This short, brief question can make anyone feel wrong and even sick to their stomachs. Stillwell uses everyday common things and topics and that’s how she uses small amounts of pathos to her advantage.
In this article, Stillwell uses a large amount of logos through evidence from novels, political campaigns, and logical thinking and questioning. Stillwell used large amounts of logos but the one that really stuck out was a simple logical question, “Just because we can do it, does it mean we should?” (Stillwell, 2005). This question can be used in so many cases and is perfect for this topic and getting though to people. After reading this sentence, I immediately had to think about what she was saying. Any writer that can stop you in the middle of your reading with just one simple question knows how to use logos correctly.
Stem cell research can hit almost any person directly in the heart, be it a family member with a terminal or chronic disease or a spinal injury or adopting a “frozen embryos” and raising the baby (Stillwell, 2005). This issue can change science, birth, and the human race altogether making it completely relevant to every human being in the present and future. I believe this article, simple and clear, has the ability to change people’s opinion about stem cell research.
References
Stillwell, Cinnamon. (2005). Opinion: Crossing The Ethical Line in Stem Cell Research. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved from http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-06/news/17375436_1_embryonic-cells-stem/3
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