SWA #22

• SWA #22: PRE-WORKSHEET for Essay 4. Post on your blog AND bring TWO hard copies to class!!!
• • (A) Prepare a paragraph or two describing a problem to be solved by the policy/proposal you are going to develop in essay 4. 
  • (B) Prepare a working thesis for Essay 4. 
  
  A) The problem of In Vitro Fertilization that I will attempt to find a solution to relates to IVF's most prominent opponent, the Catholic Church. Under Catholic Doctrine, those Catholics who do IVF, as well as other fertility medicines, are violating the "sanctity" of sexual intercourse. In Donum Vitae, the Church's official statement on IVF, sex is clearly defined as a procreative act intended to bring together man and wife. Nevertheless, one could argue that, because of the sincere love that exists between an infertile man and wife (or vice versa), it is as equally an act of love to struggle and try and have a child against what society may say, against what their family may say, and even against what their own religious doctrine may say. Despite being considered an "unnatural" act by many, In Vitro Fertilization is a procreative process that should be supported and nurtured as a way of bringing new joy into the world, regardless of whether sex is an aspect of it.
  
  B) Despite being considered an "unnatural" act by many, In Vitro Fertilization is a procreative process that should be supported and nurtured as a way of bringing new joy into the world, regardless of whether sex is an aspect of it.
  

SWA #21

Read: 

• CR: “How Much Are We Willing to Share?” Monica Potts
• CR: “Wall of Sound,” Nikil Saval

Assignment:

• SWA #21: Read one of the three student essays (see above and the Exploratory Paper folder) and answer the following questions on your blog:

1Q: What is the issue? Is its importance explained?
1A: " The main message involves the fact that the “1%”—the wealthiest Business owners and Government officials of America possess roughly half of America’s wealth, while many of the “99%” go jobless and often starve." The issue is clearly stated above, where the wealth of America is considered improperly distributed across the population. Nevertheless, the exact importance of the issue is not explained clearly, as the author assumes that the reader is one of those 99% who knows people who are jobless, who often starve, etc.

2Q:  Are four distinct perspectives easily identifiable? What are they? Is the thesis informative and concise?
2A: The four distinct perspectives are active protesters of the Occupy Movement, outside sympathizers of the movement that are not directly involved, political figures that oppose the movement, and concerned citizens that are directly affected by the movement. The thesis is a bit difficult (for myself) to find, but I think that the thesis examines the various sides of the issue to take a stance on why the Occupy Movement is a positive one for society.


3Q: Do the introduction and conclusion offer effective leads to and out of the argument? How do you know?
3A: Both the introduction and the conclusions offer effective transitions into the argument, but the conclusion lacks a sense of finale. It mirrors the overall introduction, and in my opinion, could almost serve as a better first paragraph than the introduction itself serves. The essay overall lacks a defining statement about the issue, as to whether it is good or bad, but I think that the author is taking the stance of Occupy as something good.                                                                                                                                           

4Q: Is the essay effective? Explain? What would you have suggested to the student writer if you had been partnered for peer review?

4A: I would consider the essay to be an effective one because the essay satisfies the prompt. Nevertheless, the author's work is weak grammatically and suffers from punctuation errors often. The introduction and conclusion paragraphs do lead onto the essay's main body (analyzing different groups' views on the subject), but the author fails to suggest a real claim about the movement. In addition, the author does not suggest counter-opinions from those who are against the Occupy movement, something that could help his essay.

SWA #20

John Morin

Professor Mikhaylova

English 102-111

21 March 2012

In Vitro Fertilization: An Ethical Debate Regarding

The Moral Justifications of the Practice:

An Annotated Bibliography

Schwartz, Lisa, Annie Chiu, Marcy Courtney, Lewis Krey, and Cecilia Schmidt-Sarosi. The Embryo versus     Endometrium Controversy Revisited as It Relates to Predicting Pregnancy Outcome in In-Vitro Fertilization–Embryo Transfer Cycles. Http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org. The Oxford Journal. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/1/45.full.pdf+html>.

 This experiment evaluates various embryonic and endometrial (variables involving the inner   membrane of the uterus) factors in relation to the success of pregnancies. Using various control groups, it is proven that the most powerful factor that attributes to a successful pregnancy (defined as a standard nine month period of carrying the baby, as well as a healthy birth for both parent and child) is the quality of the embryo. Specifically, it was suggested that IVF is a practical procedure to cause pregnancy, as the quality of embryos is observed and researched heavily during the process. In turn, IVF is seen by many as a successful practice for a couple to have a baby safely and successfully.

 Hope, Tony, Gill Lockwood, and Ryan Lockwood. Education and Debate An Ethical Debate: Should Older  Women Be Offered In Vitro Fertilisation? The Interests of the Potential Child. British MEdical Journal. British Medical Journal. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/310/6992/1455.full>.

     The article discusses the pros and cons of offering older women (defined as forty years old and up) the option to have children via IVF. Morally, adoption vs. conception is evaluated, where the benefits of an older woman being offered a chance to have a baby is acceptable when statistically, "older" women have diminished chances of success in successfully carrying and delivering a child. Older women, in turn, will be in the life of the child less than a younger parent, which could have negative impacts on the child. In addition, a younger parent may be offered IVF more frequently than an older parent, so the bias is there.  

 "In Vitro Fertilization" Promoting Pregnancy Wellness : American Pregnancy Association. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.html.

     A basic summary of the process of In Vitro Fertilization, the website examines the steps and drugs used in IVF. In addition, the website argues for In Vitro Fertilization as a process that helps couples that cannot have babies, have babies.

 "Government Funding of IVF." PBS. PBS. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/babies-government-funding/.

     This article discusses and analyzes the history of U.S. support of In Vitro Fertilization. The reasons and motives for spending money on IVF, as well as the delays, hearings, and consequences of the acceptance of IVF.

 Van Voorhis, Bradley, MD. "In Vitro Fertilization."  New England Journal of Medicine, January 25, 2007.

     

     The article discusses the basic practices, ethical standards, and reasons for the medical practice, as well as the complications that are involved. Risks, areas of uncertainty, and strategies for the procedure are examined. Dr. Van Voorhis assumes that the reader has a basic understanding of the female pregnancy cycle, the fertilization process, and medical terms that, for the common person, are relatively simple to understand. He assumes no bias in his article (the article does not favor or condemn IVF). In addition, Dr. Van Voorhis gives data supporting his credibility within his article, as well as sources for his work.

 "In Vitro Fertilization." How-to-concieve.org. September 6, 2010

     This website is a guide for couples on how to conceive a child; the website's section of IVF is a summary of the practice of IVF, as well as a real-life story on a couple who conceived children via this process. The article goes into detail about the legal aspects of the practice-how embryos not used in the medical procedure are often thrown away or used for research, a practice that violates the moral codes of many religious and ethical groups (I.E. the Catholic Church). The costs for both the couple and the government are discussed, as well as the different regulations IVF faces in the US and in Europe.

Shea, John B. "Catholic Insight : Vatican : The Moral Status of in Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Biology and Method." Catholic Insight. Feb. 2003. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://catholicinsight.com/online/church/vatican/article_475.shtml>.

            A summary of the Catholic Church’s stance on IVF; the reasons for the Catholic Church’s adamant refusal to acknowledge that In Vitro Fertilization is a justifiable medical procedure that benefits the lives of God’s children. In essence, the Catholic Church condones both the doctors and the people trying to conceive children via IVF, as they willingly and fully consider the possibility of destroying excess embryos that are not fertilized within the uterus. In short, those who do IVF commit a mortal sin by killing a human being (for the Church, a zygote) when IVF is finished.

SWA #20

John Morin

Professor Mikhaylova

English 102-111

Formal Outline, Draft 1

Formal Outline Questions of the Third Essay

1.      The issue of In Vitro Fertilization is that, for members of the Catholic Church who perform IVF in the hopes of conceiving a child (assuming IVF is the only feasible way of conceiving), the process often destroys embryos that are not used. This directly violates the Church’s moral stance that defines a living being as an embryo. In short, if a couple were to fully undergo IVF, they are willingly killing a person(s). For many people who are faithful Catholics and sterile, this is an extremely powerful moral dilemma. As there is no real standpoint on such a thing in the Bible, and the Church (in their mind) cannot be wrong on this issue, a Catholic performing IVF willingly goes against the credo of their established faith.

2.      There are many different stances of this topic. For Catholics who perform IVF, they willingly go against the Church’s doctrine to conceive a child. The question that is, and perhaps will never be answered for these people, is whether a God who let IVF be conceived as a medical procedure  condemn the people who do it. For members of the clergy, who have willingly given up the right to have children in favor of committing their lives to God, they fully support the stance that the leaders of the Church take. If a clergy member were to speak against the Church’s view, it would endanger their role as a clergy member, and as a result, there are very few documented instances of clergy members speaking out against the issue. For doctors who are Christian, and support IVF, the question is raised as to whether what they are doing is justified by the happiness couples find in having children. For members of different faith communities besides Christianity, the question as to whether a fertilized embryo is a human being is considerable, as it is difficult to truly define what humanity is.

3.      On a personal level, I believe that IVF is a good thing. I sometimes believe that the clergy, with all the good they do, cannot truly understand what it is like to not be able to have children because they willingly gave up the option. Therefore, it is difficult for me to support them, when they do not understand how many people who didn’t chose the infertility they were given try to find ways to conceive. As a member of a family where several people are sterile because of cancer, I support IVF as a way for my loved ones to be given a blessing in a way where it previously couldn’t be given. Nevertheless, it is very difficult for me to go against the established moral standpoints of my faith, because I cannot help but wonder if I am, in the Lord’s eyes, a bad person for supporting it.

4.      Thesis: Despite the Catholic Church’s adamant refusal to acknowledge In Vitro Fertilization as a beneficial procedure for humanity, IVF helps hundreds of thousands of people fulfill positive dreams when the option for children is otherwise denied naturally.

5.      Conclusion: While In Vitro Fertilization is a heavily debated topic, one cannot deny that the ultimate goal of IVF, to conceive children in the face of infertility, is a noble one. Although the Catholic Church does not support certain practices that IVF does, it is possible for a person to go through IVF and stay within the moral boundaries of the Church.

SWA #18

• SWA: write annotations of the two sources you found and read for today, MLA style

Kang's argument is clear about how the majority of people view the sport of Baseball. Baseball is an American sport where 99% of the players are born-and-raised Americans. Non-Americans, like Ichiro, are a more recent breakthrough in the history of the sport, and are possibly breaking the stereotype barriers that surround this sport.

     When I researched Asian American, Immigrant, and Sports, articles about immigrants in sports environments and kids in sports came up.

• Batting Average: The number of hits divided by the number of times at bat-a standard measure of a baseball player's ability to hit pitches.
• Assist: Help from a fielder in putting an offensive player out. A fielder is credited with an assist when he throws a baserunner or hitter out at a base.

Knowing these terms does enhance the understanding of the article, but I feel like a more hands-on approach to baseball (actually seeing these terms in play, so to speak) would be a more beneficial and practical experience that would improve my knowledge of the sport.

Annotations
Schwartz, Lisa, Annie Chiu, Marcy Courtney, Lewis Krey, and Cecilia Schmidt-Sarosi. The Embryo versus Endometrium Controversy Revisited as It Relates to Predicting Pregnancy Outcome in In-Vitro Fertilization–Embryo Transfer Cycles. Http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org. The Oxford Journal. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/1/45.full.pdf+html>.

     This experiment evaluates various embryonic and endometrial (variables involving the inner membrane of the uterus) factors in relation to the success of pregnancies. Using various control groups, it is proven that the most powerful factor that attributes to a successful pregnancy (defined as a standard nine month period of carrying the baby, as well as a healthy birth for both parent and child) is the quality of the embryo. Specifically, it was suggested that IVF is a practical procedure to cause pregnancy, as the quality of embryos is observed and researched heavily during the process. In turn, IVF is seen by many as a successful practice for a couple to have a baby safely and successfully.


Hope, Tony, Gill Lockwood, and Ryan Lockwood. Education and Debate An Ethical Debate: Should Older Women Be Offered In Vitro Fertilisation? The Interests of the Potential Child. British MEdical Journal. British Medical Journal. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/310/6992/1455.full>.

     The article discusses the pros and cons of offering older women (defined as forty years old and up) the option to have children via IVF. Morally, adoption vs. conception is evaluated, where the benefits of an older women being offered a chance to have a baby is acceptable when statistically, "older" women have diminished chances of success in successfully carrying and delivering a child. Older women, in turn, will be in the life of the child less than a younger parent, which could have negative impacts on the child. In addition, a younger parent may be offered IVF more frequently than an older parent, so the bias is there.  

In Class Writing - March 12, 2012

1. In the beginning of the article, Kang highlights the skills of Ichiro, yet the main argument of the essay is that Americans consider baseball "their" sport. People who are not American yet are exceptionally skilled at this sport, like Ichiro, are out of the stereotype. Despite the perspective that Americans hold towards baseball (Americans are the best players at baseball), one's nationality does not necessarily make someone innately better at baseball.

2. Kang's essay suggests that Americans view baseball as the sport that only American players can excel at, due to uncertainty and doubt in Ichiro's abilities as a non-American.

3. Kang's argument is clear about how the majority of people view the sport of Baseball. Baseball is an American sport where 99% of the players are born-and-raised Americans. Non-Americans, like Ichiro, are a more recent breakthrough in the history of the sport, and are possibly breaking the stereotype barriers that surround this sport.

     When I researched Asian American, Immigrant, and Sports, articles about immigrants in sports environments and kids in sports came up.

SWA #17

Read:

• “Immigrant Misappropriations: The Importance of Ichiro,” Jay Capian Kang
• “A Flag is Flipped and a Nation Flaps,” Todd J. Wiebe.
• Two new sources you have researched towards the annotated bibliography

Assignment:

• SWA #17: write annotations of the two sources you found and read for today, MLA style

"In Vitro Fertilization" Promoting Pregnancy Wellness : American Pregnancy Association. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.html.

     A basic summary of the process of In Vitro Fertilization, the website examines the steps and drugs used in IVF. In addition, the website argues for In Vitro Fertilization as a process that helps couples that cannot have babies, have babies.

"Government Funding of IVF." PBS. PBS. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/babies-government-funding/.

     This article discusses and analyzes the history of U.S. support of In Vitro Fertilization. The reasons and motives for spending money on IVF, as well as the delays, hearings, and consequences of the acceptance of IVF.