Monday, September 28, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Developing a Research Question
In this blog post, I will be creating a few research questions pertaining to my field of interest, physiology.
A List of Interesting Topics of Controversy within Physiology
A List of Interesting Topics of Controversy within Physiology
- Sperm and egg donation
- Stem cell research
- Genetic research
- Experimental surgery
- Clinical trials
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| "Stem Cells" Anonymous, for Public Domain |
My questions will be from a mix of all of these topics.
Questions
- What are the ethical and moral considerations for and against stem cell research?
- What are the varying legal and cultural perspectives for and against sperm and egg donations?
- What are the ethical and moral considerations of experimental surgeries?
- What are the psychological ramifications of participating in a clinical trial?
Why I'm Interested
I've always taken an interest in the clinical aspects of physiology, like patient care and the mental health of patients in addition to their somatic wellbeing. All of the questions above focus on cultural, moral, or legal aspects of physiology because these topics are closely related to the clinical side of physiology.
Reflection on Project 1
In this blog post, I will be discussing my QRG and the process of writing it. I realize I have yet to post my QRG. I'm being creative with the order of my assignment submissions (really I just want to let it sit for a little longer before I proof-read it again).
What challenges did I face with the project and how did I deal with them?
The biggest challenge I faced was easily time-management. I am a procrastinator. To deal with this issue, I tried (and failed) to procrastinate less. Another major issue I faced was sentence variety -- I tended to use similar sentence structure throughout the entirety of my QRG.
What successes did you experience with the project and how did they happen?
I personally found my biggest success to be that my voice shines through the piece. I'm worried that it might be a little bit impersonal and somewhat harsh at times, but I think that it represents my writing well.
What kinds of arguments, rhetorical strategies, design choices and writing practices did you find the most effective for your project? Why?
What challenges did I face with the project and how did I deal with them?
The biggest challenge I faced was easily time-management. I am a procrastinator. To deal with this issue, I tried (and failed) to procrastinate less. Another major issue I faced was sentence variety -- I tended to use similar sentence structure throughout the entirety of my QRG.
What successes did you experience with the project and how did they happen?
I personally found my biggest success to be that my voice shines through the piece. I'm worried that it might be a little bit impersonal and somewhat harsh at times, but I think that it represents my writing well.
The arguments I found most effective were well-rounded and based on physiological research because they were logical and unbiased. The rhetorical strategies I found most useful were the "coggle" type of mapping because I could physically create connections. Design and writing practices were both based on the flow of the document, which contributed to voice.
What kinds of arguments, rhetorical strategies, design choices and writing practices did you find were not effective for your project? Why?
The arguments that were emotionally based were less effective because they were not rooted in logic or science. Rhetorical strategies that worked less included structured planning ahead of time, because I tend to work more spontaneously on my writing. Design choices that were more difficult included photos, because it was hard to find permissible photos to share with an audience. Writing practices that I found less effective included combing through for grammar points of interest, because I find it hard to establish flow while doing so.
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| "Flow Chart" Public Domain |
How was the writing process for this project similar to other school writing experiences you’ve had in the past?
This process was similar in that it was relatively creative, and allowed for a lot of personal license within the genre's structure.
How was the writing process for this project different from other school writing experiences you’ve had in the past?
The writing process for this project was different because it was exclusively online, which was new for me.
Would any of the skills you practiced for this project be useful in your other coursework? Why or why not?
Absolutely. This type of writing is definitely useful in the workforce. I think the single most applicable part of the document was summarization.
Identifying Basic Grammar Patterns
In this blog post, I will be reflecting on my grammatical prowess. I actually learned quite a bit about my writing from this activity -- apparently, I tend to use very short, simple sentence structure. I think this is because I am a person who values brevity and clarity in language and life. Another thing that I noticed about my writing is my tendency to start sentences the same way: with the word "I." Talk about self-centered, right?
Here's the link to a revision of my longest paragraph from my QRG. In the comments, I identified various grammatical patterns and parts of speech. Enjoy!
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| "I Want You to Use Grammar" by Scott MacIntosh, for public domain |
Here's the link to a revision of my longest paragraph from my QRG. In the comments, I identified various grammatical patterns and parts of speech. Enjoy!
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Clarity, Part 1
In this blog post, I will be discussing some topics that could use clarification for me. I will be writing about parallel ideas, shifts, wordy sentences, and appropriate language.
Parallelism
This lesson mostly consisted of common grammatical errors we make while writing and how to solve them. Comma use, phrasing, verb agreement, and conjunctions were all discussed in great detail. I really wasn't surprised by anything in the lesson, but it was nice to have a review.
Shifts
Similar to parallelism, the lesson about shifts was mostly about keeping points of view consistent. However, there was a large section about shifts in quotation technique, which I found to be surprisingly useful.
Wordy Sentences
I tend to struggle with being too wordy or too succinct. The most useful part of the lesson was the specific outlines of techniques to cut down on wordiness. I found "eliminating redundancies" to be the most helpful; however, I think that some wordiness is necessary to create a smooth flow.
Appropriate Language
At first glance, I laughed when I read the section about avoiding jargon. I have used all of the words listed in the examples of jargon in my daily life and in my writing. Oops. I also laughed pretty hard when the book told me to avoid using the word "groovy" in my writing.
Yet, I disagree with some of the book's commentary about inappropriate language. I believe that every genre has it's own parameters of "appropriate language" and that for the book to simply rule out certain words is a bit overbearing.
Parallelism
This lesson mostly consisted of common grammatical errors we make while writing and how to solve them. Comma use, phrasing, verb agreement, and conjunctions were all discussed in great detail. I really wasn't surprised by anything in the lesson, but it was nice to have a review.
Shifts
Similar to parallelism, the lesson about shifts was mostly about keeping points of view consistent. However, there was a large section about shifts in quotation technique, which I found to be surprisingly useful.
Wordy Sentences
I tend to struggle with being too wordy or too succinct. The most useful part of the lesson was the specific outlines of techniques to cut down on wordiness. I found "eliminating redundancies" to be the most helpful; however, I think that some wordiness is necessary to create a smooth flow.
Appropriate Language
At first glance, I laughed when I read the section about avoiding jargon. I have used all of the words listed in the examples of jargon in my daily life and in my writing. Oops. I also laughed pretty hard when the book told me to avoid using the word "groovy" in my writing.
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| "Groovy" Public Domain |
Yet, I disagree with some of the book's commentary about inappropriate language. I believe that every genre has it's own parameters of "appropriate language" and that for the book to simply rule out certain words is a bit overbearing.
Thoughts on Drafting
In this blog post, I will be talking about drafting techniques for my QRG and whether or not the book's advice is helpful for me. I will be answering some discussion questions about drafting techniques and what works best for me as a writer.
1. What part of the book's advice was helpful for writing in this genre?
The paragraph development was most helpful for me. PIE, or Point/Illustration/Explanation, the book's method for paragraph development, was helpful, but somewhat redundant. I think what helped most was the book's emphasis on keeping phrases focused but still descriptive.
I also found the advice on organization techniques to be helpful. For a large chunk of my writing career, I have been told to make sure that my organization is "effective" or "purposeful," without much explanation about what that actually means. The book's description of exactly how a text can be organized in a purposeful way was very helpful.
2. What part of the book's advice was not as helpful for writing in this genre?
I found the advice about thesis statements to be the least helpful. Quick reference guides have a specific type of thesis statement that is not in any way similar to academic prose. The thesis statement should be much less formal and can be structured more loosely than the book suggests.
That being said, it is still necessary to have a main idea and a sentence towards the beginning of the QRG that will support this main idea. In essence, a thesis statement is still necessary.
1. What part of the book's advice was helpful for writing in this genre?
The paragraph development was most helpful for me. PIE, or Point/Illustration/Explanation, the book's method for paragraph development, was helpful, but somewhat redundant. I think what helped most was the book's emphasis on keeping phrases focused but still descriptive.
"Pumpkin Pie Whole Slice," Public Domain
I also found the advice on organization techniques to be helpful. For a large chunk of my writing career, I have been told to make sure that my organization is "effective" or "purposeful," without much explanation about what that actually means. The book's description of exactly how a text can be organized in a purposeful way was very helpful.
2. What part of the book's advice was not as helpful for writing in this genre?
I found the advice about thesis statements to be the least helpful. Quick reference guides have a specific type of thesis statement that is not in any way similar to academic prose. The thesis statement should be much less formal and can be structured more loosely than the book suggests.
That being said, it is still necessary to have a main idea and a sentence towards the beginning of the QRG that will support this main idea. In essence, a thesis statement is still necessary.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Extra Credit: Putting Quotes in Context
In this blog post, I will be discussing quotations from celebrities and putting them into context. The quotes I will discuss are from Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Taylor Swift.
"I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who want to take my picture" - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1. This is a quote from an interview Ginsburg gave to a popular political magazine, New Republic. During the interview, Ginsburg was discussing her surprise with her sudden internet fame among the younger generation.
2. Knowing that Ginsburg was giving an interview to a magazine makes me think that she is more credible. Ginsburg was taking the time to sit down and give an interview with a credible political magazine, which would indicate that she has given the interview topics some thought.
3. Ginsburg is truly trying to connect with the younger generation, but doesn't understand what makes her so popular. It makes her come across as more likable and relatable. Of course, the quote itself makes me like her more because I perceive her as modest; yet, the quote also made me learn more about her, which has resulted in my newfound respect for her as a leader.
“I wrote an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal this summer that basically portrayed my views on this. I try to stay really open-minded about things, because I do think it's important to be a part of progress. But I think it's really still up for debate whether this is actual progress." - Taylor Swift
1. This quote is from an interview Swift gave to Yahoo. The interview was not exclusively about the streaming incident, but rather was focused on Swift's newest album, 1989.
2. In context, the quote is very different. With context, Swift has the opportunity to explain why she feels that music should not be free. Without context, the quotation sounds a little more aggressive.
3. Knowing the context behind this quote made me respect Swift more. As a musician, I have never understood why artists allow music to be streamed for free when they put so many resources into creating it. Swift voiced her opinions clearly, but with an open mind, which made me respect and agree with her perspective. However, the quote sometimes is taken out of context and is occasionally used to make Swift look bad.
"I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who want to take my picture" - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1. This is a quote from an interview Ginsburg gave to a popular political magazine, New Republic. During the interview, Ginsburg was discussing her surprise with her sudden internet fame among the younger generation.
2. Knowing that Ginsburg was giving an interview to a magazine makes me think that she is more credible. Ginsburg was taking the time to sit down and give an interview with a credible political magazine, which would indicate that she has given the interview topics some thought.
3. Ginsburg is truly trying to connect with the younger generation, but doesn't understand what makes her so popular. It makes her come across as more likable and relatable. Of course, the quote itself makes me like her more because I perceive her as modest; yet, the quote also made me learn more about her, which has resulted in my newfound respect for her as a leader.
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| Taylor Swift, screenshot from the "Blank Space" music video |
1. This quote is from an interview Swift gave to Yahoo. The interview was not exclusively about the streaming incident, but rather was focused on Swift's newest album, 1989.
2. In context, the quote is very different. With context, Swift has the opportunity to explain why she feels that music should not be free. Without context, the quotation sounds a little more aggressive.
3. Knowing the context behind this quote made me respect Swift more. As a musician, I have never understood why artists allow music to be streamed for free when they put so many resources into creating it. Swift voiced her opinions clearly, but with an open mind, which made me respect and agree with her perspective. However, the quote sometimes is taken out of context and is occasionally used to make Swift look bad.
Draft of Quick Reference Guide
Here is my draft for my Quick Reference Guide! Please let me know what you think. If you have any, I'd love some advice about how to better integrate quotations into my writing. Thanks so much!
Practicing Quoting
In this blog post, I will be practicing using quotations in my writing. I will be discussing the many perspectives of Jahi McMath's case and how different sources can be used to create a balance between sides.
QRGs: The Genre
In this blog post, I will be discussing the genre of Quick Reference Guides. Details will be given about conventions, purpose, and intended audience.
1. What are the conventions of a Quick Reference Guide?
One important convention of a QRG appears to be headings and subheadings, almost exclusively in the form of questions. In some QRGs, such as the E-Cigarettes example offered, the headings are labeled "Key Questions." A second convention is the use of white space and brief paragraphing in format. Another convention of the genre is the informal language authors employ while writing -- the tone is almost conversational. In addition, the use of hyperlinking instead of parenthetical citation is a convention of the genre.
2. How are the conventions defined by the author's formatting and design choices?
The key questions or subheadings are almost always a larger font size or bolded to make them stand out. White space is consistently used to separate paragraphs and subheadings. Hyperlinking allows the author to create a continuous flow of thought while simultaneously offering the reader more information.
3. What does the purpose of QRGs seem to be?
It would appear that QRGs exist to offer information to the public in a way that is not overly academic. The average person is able to read up on complex issues without being overwhelmed by new vocabulary terms or unfamiliar scientific studies. Information is presented in a concise, clean, and relatable way.
4. Who is the intended audience for the QRGs?
The intended audience for each of the QRGs is slightly different. For example, the E-Cigarettes QRG was targeted at people who were likely to smoke an E-Cigarette, while the Gamergate QRG was aimed for young people who enjoy video games, and possibly women's rights advocates. I think that each of the QRGs' target audiences had similarities, such as age or possibly education. However, interest level would vary between groups depending on the subject of the article.
5. How do the QRGs use imagery or visuals?
The QRGs use imagery to allow for a visual representation of the written aspect of the article. Images also can illustrate quantitative data more easily. Sometimes, such as in the case of the Gamergate article, images can spark an emotional response to an article.
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| "E-Cigarette Liquid Vaping." Public Domain |
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1. What are the conventions of a Quick Reference Guide?
One important convention of a QRG appears to be headings and subheadings, almost exclusively in the form of questions. In some QRGs, such as the E-Cigarettes example offered, the headings are labeled "Key Questions." A second convention is the use of white space and brief paragraphing in format. Another convention of the genre is the informal language authors employ while writing -- the tone is almost conversational. In addition, the use of hyperlinking instead of parenthetical citation is a convention of the genre.
2. How are the conventions defined by the author's formatting and design choices?
The key questions or subheadings are almost always a larger font size or bolded to make them stand out. White space is consistently used to separate paragraphs and subheadings. Hyperlinking allows the author to create a continuous flow of thought while simultaneously offering the reader more information.
3. What does the purpose of QRGs seem to be?
It would appear that QRGs exist to offer information to the public in a way that is not overly academic. The average person is able to read up on complex issues without being overwhelmed by new vocabulary terms or unfamiliar scientific studies. Information is presented in a concise, clean, and relatable way.
4. Who is the intended audience for the QRGs?
The intended audience for each of the QRGs is slightly different. For example, the E-Cigarettes QRG was targeted at people who were likely to smoke an E-Cigarette, while the Gamergate QRG was aimed for young people who enjoy video games, and possibly women's rights advocates. I think that each of the QRGs' target audiences had similarities, such as age or possibly education. However, interest level would vary between groups depending on the subject of the article.
5. How do the QRGs use imagery or visuals?
The QRGs use imagery to allow for a visual representation of the written aspect of the article. Images also can illustrate quantitative data more easily. Sometimes, such as in the case of the Gamergate article, images can spark an emotional response to an article.
Cluster of My Controversy
In this blog post, I will be sharing a Coggle I created of Jahi McMath's brain death and the controversy that surrounds it. In the cluster, I linked the most apparent figures in the McMath case and the sides they represent. Through the Coggle, I showed how each of the perspectives have unique outcomes that intertwine to eventually create the lawsuit.
Reflection:
After reading Charles and Hannah's posts, I realized that my Coggle is pretty different from some of the other ones. Apparently, my thought process is a bit more sporadic and disorganized. I think that can be a good thing though, because if I plan ahead, then I have some unique perspectives about where I can take my writing. I do think that it might be easier for me to make clusters by hand, because I struggled a little with the technological aspect of mapping a cluster online.
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| "Brain Hernation." Anonymous, for Public Domain |
Reflection:
After reading Charles and Hannah's posts, I realized that my Coggle is pretty different from some of the other ones. Apparently, my thought process is a bit more sporadic and disorganized. I think that can be a good thing though, because if I plan ahead, then I have some unique perspectives about where I can take my writing. I do think that it might be easier for me to make clusters by hand, because I struggled a little with the technological aspect of mapping a cluster online.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Annotated Bibliography in MLA Style
In this blog post, I will be creating an annotated bibliography of all of the sources I have used in the past three blog posts. "Keep Jahi Mcmath on life support" was used as a source for two of the three blogs, so there is one additional source cited that is not found in the other blog posts. Note: formatting of the blog has not allowed for indentation of the citations.
I will be adding screenshots of my annotated bibliography from Word processing, so that the proper format will remain intact.
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| "Citation Needed" Public Domain |
Ideology in My Controversy
I've done quite a bit of current research on Jahi McMath, in addition to reading about her while the controversy was still very recent. I'm now able to answer some basic questions about this controversy.
Who is involved?
McMath's mother, Latasha Winkfield, is very involved in the controversy. In addition, Dr. Paul Byrne is a huge advocate for McMath. Children's Hospital Oakland, the hospital where McMath received her fatal surgery, is obviously integral to the controversy, as is the Honorable Judge Evilio Grillo and the entire Alameda County Superior Court.
Who are some of the major speakers/writers within the groups?
Dr. Byrne, who has lots of experience speaking on behalf of pro-life groups, has always been outspoken personally and with the press. In addition, Byrne has a presence on the "Keep Jahi Mcmather on life support" Facebook page. McMath's attorney, Christopher Dolan, has also released statements about McMath. Dr. Frederick Rosen, the surgeon who operated on McMath, has not released many public statements on behalf of the hospital; rather, Oakland Children's PR department handles statements.
What kind of social/cultural/economic/political power does each group hold?
McMath's family has had a large measure of support from their social community within Oakland. In addition, there has been a surge of African-American support for McMath and her family. The hospital holds some political power due to the fact that the law did side with removing Jahi from the hospital's care.
What resources are available to different positions?
McMath's family has received awards from the Terry Schavio Hope and Life Network, an organization devoted to supporting people with traumatic head and brain injuries. The hospital has both public and private resources available.
What does each group value?
McMath's family values her continued existence, even if she is unable to breathe or circulate on her own. The hospital values the ability to help other patients who may need ventilators to continue to survive with brain health.
What counts as evidence for the different groups?
For McMath's family, evidence lies in the fact that McMath is still breathing and is capable of a few, reflexive bodily functions on her own. For the hospital, McMath has absolutely no brainwaves, and is incapable of breathing without the help of a ventilator. In addition, she has been declared legally dead.
Is there a power differential between the groups?
Legally, the two sides are at somewhat of a standoff. The hospital has the right (and is legally required) to declare McMath brain dead, and because she cannot breathe, dead. However, McMath's guardians also must sign a death certificate, and agree to her death. Without parental consent, McMath isn't technically dead.
Is there any acknowledged common ground between the two groups?
Both sides acknowledge that the McMath family has gone through a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering.
Is there any unacknowledged common ground?
There really isn't a lot. Both the hospital and the McMath family have suffered a great deal. I would argue that it is possible that there are people within the hospital that have grown to care for McMath a lot, so maybe both sides have affection for her and wish her peace.
Do the various groups listen to each other? Do they respond directly?
Usually the groups need a lawyer or a judge to mediate. They do listen, but neither side truly understands the other's opinions or motives.
The two sides are at odds legally, but since McMath has been moved to a private facility, there has been much less conflict. However, this controversy has blown into a large-scale legal and medical investigation about consent, choice, and the very definition of death.
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| "Hospital Bed" Public Domain |
Who is involved?
McMath's mother, Latasha Winkfield, is very involved in the controversy. In addition, Dr. Paul Byrne is a huge advocate for McMath. Children's Hospital Oakland, the hospital where McMath received her fatal surgery, is obviously integral to the controversy, as is the Honorable Judge Evilio Grillo and the entire Alameda County Superior Court.
Who are some of the major speakers/writers within the groups?
Dr. Byrne, who has lots of experience speaking on behalf of pro-life groups, has always been outspoken personally and with the press. In addition, Byrne has a presence on the "Keep Jahi Mcmather on life support" Facebook page. McMath's attorney, Christopher Dolan, has also released statements about McMath. Dr. Frederick Rosen, the surgeon who operated on McMath, has not released many public statements on behalf of the hospital; rather, Oakland Children's PR department handles statements.
What kind of social/cultural/economic/political power does each group hold?
McMath's family has had a large measure of support from their social community within Oakland. In addition, there has been a surge of African-American support for McMath and her family. The hospital holds some political power due to the fact that the law did side with removing Jahi from the hospital's care.
What resources are available to different positions?
McMath's family has received awards from the Terry Schavio Hope and Life Network, an organization devoted to supporting people with traumatic head and brain injuries. The hospital has both public and private resources available.
What does each group value?
McMath's family values her continued existence, even if she is unable to breathe or circulate on her own. The hospital values the ability to help other patients who may need ventilators to continue to survive with brain health.
What counts as evidence for the different groups?
For McMath's family, evidence lies in the fact that McMath is still breathing and is capable of a few, reflexive bodily functions on her own. For the hospital, McMath has absolutely no brainwaves, and is incapable of breathing without the help of a ventilator. In addition, she has been declared legally dead.
Is there a power differential between the groups?
Legally, the two sides are at somewhat of a standoff. The hospital has the right (and is legally required) to declare McMath brain dead, and because she cannot breathe, dead. However, McMath's guardians also must sign a death certificate, and agree to her death. Without parental consent, McMath isn't technically dead.
Is there any acknowledged common ground between the two groups?
Both sides acknowledge that the McMath family has gone through a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering.
Is there any unacknowledged common ground?
There really isn't a lot. Both the hospital and the McMath family have suffered a great deal. I would argue that it is possible that there are people within the hospital that have grown to care for McMath a lot, so maybe both sides have affection for her and wish her peace.
Do the various groups listen to each other? Do they respond directly?
Usually the groups need a lawyer or a judge to mediate. They do listen, but neither side truly understands the other's opinions or motives.
The two sides are at odds legally, but since McMath has been moved to a private facility, there has been much less conflict. However, this controversy has blown into a large-scale legal and medical investigation about consent, choice, and the very definition of death.
Evaluation of Social Media Sources
The nature of my controversy, the death of Jahi McMath, is that it was widely discussed over all social media forums. However, it was very rarely the cause of a new forum to be created. For example, the hashtag #jahimcmath is still trending somewhat currently, almost two years after her death. However, if there were any Twitter pages about Jahi McMath, they no longer are in use or are able to be viewed by the public.
One example of a social media page that is still currently in use is the Facebook page "Keep Jahi Mcmath on life support." Because this page is only fully accessible with a Facebook account, I have screenshotted the majority of recent posts and added them below. It is impossible (unless you have super computer skills) to sleuth out whoever first began the page or who runs it currently. It would appear that some of the posts are written by Dr. Paul Byrne, who provided expert witness support during the various legal battles over McMath. It is impossible to tell if the post was actually written by him or simply submitted to an admin to be posted by the page. However, the names of people who post on the page are very public, and these people can be corroborated. Often times they are average, everyday people who simply feel sorry for the family and want to express their grief through an online forum. The people post from all over the world, although there is a large concentration of posters from Oakland, which is near McMath's home. The page does not follow, endorse, or promote any other pages or people. The content can sometimes be corroborated with medical science and various news sources, although there is an obvious bias. The account is updated pretty regularly, with the last update occurring in June. There were likely no changes in McMath's health since, which is usually the cause for a new post. The page was formed in 2013 immediately after doctors suggested that McMath be removed from life support. The source of information is biased, but reliable as a source close to McMath.
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| "Keep Jahi Mcmath on life support" |
A second example of a social forum that discussed McMath is the website "mommyish.com." On this forum, an author created a post titled "There's No Excuse for Using Jahi McMath's Body to Push a Political Agenda." The author, Maria Guido, can be corroborated on Twitter, where she clearly exhibits a pro-leftist persona. She currently works for the magazine Scary Mommy and occasionally writes for Time. At the time of the post, Guido was living in Brooklyn, which is very removed from Oakland, CA. On mommyish.com, Guido is followed mostly by pregnant couples or new parents. On her Twitter, Guido is followed by over 2,000 people and organizations. The information in her post on mommyish.com can be corroborated by medical and physical proof. However, she does make some extreme claims that may have been somewhat motivated by political bias. Guido does not usually post about McMath specifically, but she relates it to the pro-choice v. pro-life debate that she often posts about. Guido's post on mommyish.com is eleven months old. The source of information is reliable, but biased.
Currently, people are not having social media discussions about Jahi McMath the way they were close to two years ago. However, the related conversations about pro-life and medical politics are still as relevant today as they were in 2014.
Evaluation of Scholarly Sources
Jahi McMath's tragic demise has sparked the penmanship of several scholarly articles about brain death and the lines between legal and medical death. In many articles, scientists attempt to explain why the controversy started in the first place. Others try to discover what exactly causes brain death and if it can be prevented or possibly cured.
Through the Web of Science database, I was able to find a scholarly article published in Chest Journal, the official journal of American chest physicians. The article, "The Uncommon Case of Jahi McMath," was written by John M. Luce, MD, MSL. The purpose of the article is to attempt to scientifically explain the reasoning behind both sides of the controversy. The article focuses on medical issues, although it does touch on the media and legal aspects of the case. The intended audience is scholars, although the article was written in a way that is not entirely crowded with legal and medical jargon. The article sites valuable references, such as local news, primary sources, interviews with lawyers, and the paperwork from the various legal documentation produced by the controversy.
Also through the Web of Science database, I discovered a second scholarly article, "Accepting Brain Death," by David C. Magnus, Ph.D., Benjamin S. Wilfond, M.D., and Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D. The article, published in the renowned New England Journal of Medicine, took the stance that brain death is death of the body and mind. However, the articles did provide ample support for the families of both Jahi McMath and Marlise Muñoz, another brain-death victim. The intended audience is medical practitioners and those involved in the medical field; however, this article is applicable for any person trying to cope with the brain death of a loved one. The source cites other scholarly sources such as Harvard medical studies and no primary sources.
Sadly, it does not look like either of the articles or studies that accompany them will aid McMath or allow her to wake up. My interest in this controversy lies in my hope to someday find a way to allow neurons that have ceased firing to restart.
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| "Traumatic Brain Injury with Herniation," Public Domain |
Through the Web of Science database, I was able to find a scholarly article published in Chest Journal, the official journal of American chest physicians. The article, "The Uncommon Case of Jahi McMath," was written by John M. Luce, MD, MSL. The purpose of the article is to attempt to scientifically explain the reasoning behind both sides of the controversy. The article focuses on medical issues, although it does touch on the media and legal aspects of the case. The intended audience is scholars, although the article was written in a way that is not entirely crowded with legal and medical jargon. The article sites valuable references, such as local news, primary sources, interviews with lawyers, and the paperwork from the various legal documentation produced by the controversy.
Also through the Web of Science database, I discovered a second scholarly article, "Accepting Brain Death," by David C. Magnus, Ph.D., Benjamin S. Wilfond, M.D., and Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D. The article, published in the renowned New England Journal of Medicine, took the stance that brain death is death of the body and mind. However, the articles did provide ample support for the families of both Jahi McMath and Marlise Muñoz, another brain-death victim. The intended audience is medical practitioners and those involved in the medical field; however, this article is applicable for any person trying to cope with the brain death of a loved one. The source cites other scholarly sources such as Harvard medical studies and no primary sources.
Sadly, it does not look like either of the articles or studies that accompany them will aid McMath or allow her to wake up. My interest in this controversy lies in my hope to someday find a way to allow neurons that have ceased firing to restart.
Evaluation of General Sources
Most controversies in the field of physiology and medicine are tragic. One controversy that sparked a huge debate in late 2013 and early 2014 was the brain death of Jahi McMath. McMath was 13 when she was declared brain dead. The hospital needed resources to help other patients, and wanted McMath removed from the ventilator. Her parents sought legal counsel to fight for McMath to be moved to a different hospital rather than to be taken off the ventilator.
In an August 2015 San Francisco Chronicle article, the author claims that McMath's case is causing lawmakers and medical practicers alike to reconsider what makes a person "legally dead." In the case of this article, the primary audience is the general public. The article was not directed at the medical or legal community. The article describes in detail the legal process that McMath's family has undergone to try to keep their daughter on life-support. In addition, the article explains the extent and likely causes of McMath's injuries that led to her alleged full-brain death. The URL of the article is http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/letterstoeditor/article/Jahi-McMath-s-tell-tale-heart-could-change-6420669.php. The article was last updated on August 2, 2015. Graphics include photos of Jahi McMath. The author remains pretty neutral, although occasionally slips into the position that Jahi is not necessarily brain dead because her heart is still beating after several months of ventilation. The source links to other sources about the legal proceedings of the family.
A second source that I found, while less credible, is still incredibly useful. I found the Facebook page "Keep Jahi Mcmath on life support" (note: hyperlink will not work unless logged into Facebook). On the source's about page, the author describes the source as somewhat of a petition and a support community for people who believe that Jahi McMath is alive. What makes the source less than credible is that in the description, the author claims that McMath was undergoing a simple tonsillectomy while she began hemorrhaging. The hospital, according to other sources such as the San Francisco Chronicle, claimed that McMath was not undergoing a simple surgery, and that she was actually having three procedures done simultaneously to aid her apnea issues. The hyperlink is https://www.facebook.com/keepJahiMcmathonlifesupport, although this link will not work unless you are logged into Facebook. I have attached a screenshot of the page below. The page uses graphics intended to spark emotional responses. The position on the subject is clearly in favor of keeping McMath on life support. The page is constantly being updated by the general public whenever someone posts on the page. The most recent post is from June 4, 2015.
While incredibly tragic, hopefully, the outcomes of the legal and medical findings will help doctors perform surgeries and treat any form of brain death with dignity.
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| Diagram of Intubation with a Ventilator "Bidirectional Flow During HFJV" |
In an August 2015 San Francisco Chronicle article, the author claims that McMath's case is causing lawmakers and medical practicers alike to reconsider what makes a person "legally dead." In the case of this article, the primary audience is the general public. The article was not directed at the medical or legal community. The article describes in detail the legal process that McMath's family has undergone to try to keep their daughter on life-support. In addition, the article explains the extent and likely causes of McMath's injuries that led to her alleged full-brain death. The URL of the article is http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/letterstoeditor/article/Jahi-McMath-s-tell-tale-heart-could-change-6420669.php. The article was last updated on August 2, 2015. Graphics include photos of Jahi McMath. The author remains pretty neutral, although occasionally slips into the position that Jahi is not necessarily brain dead because her heart is still beating after several months of ventilation. The source links to other sources about the legal proceedings of the family.
A second source that I found, while less credible, is still incredibly useful. I found the Facebook page "Keep Jahi Mcmath on life support" (note: hyperlink will not work unless logged into Facebook). On the source's about page, the author describes the source as somewhat of a petition and a support community for people who believe that Jahi McMath is alive. What makes the source less than credible is that in the description, the author claims that McMath was undergoing a simple tonsillectomy while she began hemorrhaging. The hospital, according to other sources such as the San Francisco Chronicle, claimed that McMath was not undergoing a simple surgery, and that she was actually having three procedures done simultaneously to aid her apnea issues. The hyperlink is https://www.facebook.com/keepJahiMcmathonlifesupport, although this link will not work unless you are logged into Facebook. I have attached a screenshot of the page below. The page uses graphics intended to spark emotional responses. The position on the subject is clearly in favor of keeping McMath on life support. The page is constantly being updated by the general public whenever someone posts on the page. The most recent post is from June 4, 2015.
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| The Facebook Support page for Jahi McMath |
Thursday, September 3, 2015
My Discipline
There are people out there who have always known exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. When he was two years old, my father knew that he wanted to be a cardiologist. Thirty years later, he completed his fellowship and entered the workforce.
My dad has always been a huge inspiration to me. It's his dedication, compassion, and courage that sparked my interest in medicine. Of course, I find that I also have a knack for knowing how to help people feel better. For those reasons and more, I decided to study physiology in college.
Students in my program enter a detailed study of the human body. I will learn about the biochemistry of cells, the organ systems, pathology, and psychology, among other disciplines within physiology and anatomy. In addition to classes, students are encouraged to participated in co-curricular activities, such as research and clinical experience. I, for one, can't wait to become involved in clinical experience. I hope to volunteer at a children's hospital sometime in the next four years.
Graduates with physiology degrees have dozens of unique careers. The popular choice is often a medical or osteopathic doctor, which is the career that I intend to pursue. Other common professions include dentistry, nursing, pharmaceutical research, and podiatry.
As I mentioned before, I was drawn to this field by the example that my father set for me. Yet, a more significant inspiration came while I was working as a camp counselor. When campers were hurt or sick, I was always the counselor they asked for. So I suppose that a combined love for kids and genuine fascination of medical science piqued my interest in the field.
It's hard to say who is truly a leader in the medical world, because so many people and companies are working on a huge array of medical dilemmas. To me, the Phoenix Children's Hospital is a leader in the field because it is one of the best in the nation. It is especially noted for pulmonology, which is one of my interests.
I keep myself updated on the medical world through a few means. The first, and most significant, is through my dad. I can always count on him for news on the latest cardiovascular technology or technique. A more scholarly source would be medical journals. There are hundreds of journals that are publishing new practices. Some of the more well-known publications include The New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Medical Association.
The field is changing so rapidly in so many ways. I can't wait to make my impact on people's lives in a positive way.
Reflection:
Cynthia and Tom's blog posts were so interesting to me. Cynthia, similar to me, is interested in medicine; Tom, on the other hand, wishes to study business. What I enjoyed most about Cynthia's remarks was her recognition that many people in our English class plan to go into professions that will help people - which is exactly my plan. Tom's post helped me realize that the business world is applicable to all careers, which makes it incredibly invaluable.
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| "Four Colors of Pills" |
Students in my program enter a detailed study of the human body. I will learn about the biochemistry of cells, the organ systems, pathology, and psychology, among other disciplines within physiology and anatomy. In addition to classes, students are encouraged to participated in co-curricular activities, such as research and clinical experience. I, for one, can't wait to become involved in clinical experience. I hope to volunteer at a children's hospital sometime in the next four years.
Graduates with physiology degrees have dozens of unique careers. The popular choice is often a medical or osteopathic doctor, which is the career that I intend to pursue. Other common professions include dentistry, nursing, pharmaceutical research, and podiatry.
As I mentioned before, I was drawn to this field by the example that my father set for me. Yet, a more significant inspiration came while I was working as a camp counselor. When campers were hurt or sick, I was always the counselor they asked for. So I suppose that a combined love for kids and genuine fascination of medical science piqued my interest in the field.
It's hard to say who is truly a leader in the medical world, because so many people and companies are working on a huge array of medical dilemmas. To me, the Phoenix Children's Hospital is a leader in the field because it is one of the best in the nation. It is especially noted for pulmonology, which is one of my interests.
I keep myself updated on the medical world through a few means. The first, and most significant, is through my dad. I can always count on him for news on the latest cardiovascular technology or technique. A more scholarly source would be medical journals. There are hundreds of journals that are publishing new practices. Some of the more well-known publications include The New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Medical Association.
The field is changing so rapidly in so many ways. I can't wait to make my impact on people's lives in a positive way.
Reflection:
Cynthia and Tom's blog posts were so interesting to me. Cynthia, similar to me, is interested in medicine; Tom, on the other hand, wishes to study business. What I enjoyed most about Cynthia's remarks was her recognition that many people in our English class plan to go into professions that will help people - which is exactly my plan. Tom's post helped me realize that the business world is applicable to all careers, which makes it incredibly invaluable.
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