Assisted Suicide

http://janestclair.net/about/articles/no-such-thing-as-an-assisted-suicide/

"Why There is No Such Thing as Assisted Suicide." Jane St. Clair. N.p., 2007. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.

In this article, the author argues that there is no justification for assisted suicide and that the term in and of itself is faulty. Due to its very nature, assisted suicide should actually be considered homicide or being an "accessory before the act." The author also raised the point that assisted suicide discourages the medical mantra of always searching for a new treatment and hoping for a medical miracle. In addition, patients who ask for euthanasia are often depressed, and should seek the appropriate treatment. Finally, the author pointed out the implications and the effects that would come with living in a society where suicide is an acceptable alternative and doctors, rather than treating and healing people, help end their lives.

The author's intent was to dissuade people from accepting assisted suicide, aimed towards anyone for assisted suicide. There was a very clear bias against assisted suicide.

I think this would be a good article, because its a topic that I have always been unsure on, and doing more research would help me to make a decision as to where I stand on the issue. I think this is a good article for other people because assisted suicide is common topic of debate and we should all be informed on it, as we may encounter it in out lives some day.

Welfare Abuse

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/03/end-welfare-abuse/

"In Our View: End Welfare Abuse." The Columbian. N.p., 3 Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Sept. 2011.

In the article "End Welfare Abuse" the author describes a new law taking effect that will help prevent people from abusing welfare. Welfare recipients recieve electronic benefits transfer cards, or EBTs. These work rather like a debt card, the user is able to swipe it to make purchases and money is added to the account monthly. The problem with EBTs, though, is that there is no control over where the cards are being used. Consequently, some people have been using their cards to buy drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, tattoos, pay bail, and at strip clubs, rather than for food and other essentials. Therefore, to prevent this from happening Senate Bill 5327 would forbid the use of EBT cards at taverns, liquor stores, gambling facilites, and other such establishments. In doing so, money will be saved for those who acually need and correctly use welfare.

The author's intent was to inform people about  kinds of welfare abuse, as well as Senate Bill 5327 and how it would be beneficial. The intended audience was anyone learning about welfare abuse. The author was very biased towards the use of Senate Bill 5327 and biased against welfare abuse.

I thought this was a good article because I'm very against people taking assistance that other people need for their own selfish purposes. This would be a good article for other people because this will effect us all when we have to pay taxes that in part will go to welfare funds.

Death Penalty

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2007/11/10/injection-of-reflection.html

Thomas, Evan. "Injection of Reflection." The Daily Beast. Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2011. Web. 21 Sept. 2011.

In "Injection of Reflection" Evan Thomas begins by discussing the decreasing trend of using a death penalty. Highlighting the various forms of execution that have been previously been used, Thomas goes on to offer an explanation for the growing dissociation with death penalties. Many people believe that the current method, death by injection, is not always completely effective and painless, categorizing it as cruel and unusual punishment. Thomas then described the new injection being considered in some states, although he concluded the article by questioning whether it would really be humane.

Thomas' intent was to inform the general public of the different forms of executions used in the death penalty and why they are not used or should not be used. The article was biased against using a death penalty.

I believe this to be a good article for me because I do not believe in using the death penalty. This would also be a good article for others because its beginning to become a more popular topic of conversation.

Genetic Engineering

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-genetic-engineering.html

Oak, Manalai. "Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2011.

In the article "Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering," by Manalai Oaks, the author states different reasons why one should support or remonstrate genetic engineering. First, Oaks depicts a variety of reasons to promote genetic engineering. For plant use, it can make crops more durable and easily grown as well as increasing nutritional and medicinal value. In human use, it can strengthen beneficial traits and subdue more malignant ones. It could even bring about permanent cures to disease. On the other hand, in the case of plant modification, unpredictable genetic mutations could damage plants, decrease nutritional value, and possibly introduce newer, more resistant disease. It could also harm naturally grown plants. As for human genetic modification, capricious side effects could occur and the value of human individuality would sharply decline should everyone be able to pick their own traits or the traits of their children.

Oaks intent was to share why or why not a person should endorse genetic engineering. The intended audience would have been anyone searching for information on genetic engineering. There were no clear biases in the article. Both sides of the argument were well represented.

I found this to be a very good article. I find genetic engineering to be an important subject. Personally, I am contrary to its use in humans and I agree with all the statments made against it. I think this would be a good article for others as well due to the fact that its becoming more technologically possible and it will be a problem that will need to be settled in the near future.

Cloning

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-science/genetics-molecular-medicine/related-policy-topics/stem-cell-research/human-cloning.page

"Human Cloning." American Medical Association. American Medical Association, 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011.

In the article, "Human Cloning," the author illuminates the process of cloning and its effects. Briefly touching on the history of cloning, the author provides several statistics on the success rate of cloning. While the cloning of animals can be beneficial, attributed to its potential medical uses, human cloning is less advantegous. Due to the high risk of failure, the author feels that human cloning is risky, at best. Should human cloning occur and, as is most likely, prove to be fruitless, then scientific process would be hindered.

The intent of the author seemed to be to point out the benefits of cloning, but the drawbacks of human cloning, although the intended audience appeared to be ambiguous.

There were two discernable biases in this article. The author was very pro-cloning, but sought to discourage the use of human cloning.

I believe this to be a good article for me. It provided specific information on the process of cloning and all its risks and benefits. I also believe this would be a good topic for other people, as it is becoming an ever prevalent issue in the world today.

Reverse Discrimination

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30462129/ns/us_news-life/t/does-affirmative-action-punish-whites/ "Does affirmitive action punish whites?." msnbc.com. n.p., 28 Apr. 2009. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. In this article, the author is describing several instances of reverse discrimination, or discrimination against those belonging to a majority group. The article highlights different cases of Caucasian people complaining of being denied college acceptance, jobs, and promotions due to their non-minority ethnic descent. In the article, there is considerable debate as to whether or not using ethnic profiling to give equal opportunities to minorities is actually depriving people of majority of said opportunities. The author's intent was to inform the public of the history of problems concerning reverse discrimination, although seemed to be no specific audience to whom the author was aiming the article at. Overall, the article seemed rather unbiased, showing no tendency toward either side of the argument. The author merely stated occurances of declared discrimination and offered arguments from a variety of people, claiming arguments for both sides of the issue.   Personally, while I found the article fascinating, I do not believe this would be a good topic for myself. I have never encountered reverse discrimination before in my life, nor is it an issue that particularly bothers me. For others, I feel this could potentially be used as a topic, especially seeing as that as we prepare to go to college or find jobs in the "real world,"  more opportunites to be on the negative side of reverse discrimination will present themselves. However, unless it is an issue that you feel personally about, I would not suggest using it.