Christopher Smith Perils And Promise Summary

Writer of "Perils and Promise: Destroy an Embryo, Waste a Life" , is U.S Representative

Christopher H. Smith (Smith). Smith's article topic is about the research done using embryonic stem cells and destroying the embryo after instead of just using adult stem cells for research. He persuades his opinion to the reader in an extremely strong and aggressive tone. Smith makes excellent use throughout his article of all three elements of Pathos: appeals to fear and concern, appeals to emotion, and appeals to emotions and the need for self-esteem. According to Smiths article researchers call the embryonic stem cells "spare and leftover"(Smith 24). So meaning the embryo is worthless. Smith strongly disagrees and says the

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Smith was brilliant at persuading his reader from the very first three sentences of the article with appeal to emotion Smith added strong humanization to his topic of embryonic stem cells from the very beginning . He told us of a 2yr old girl named Hannah Stege(Hannah), who once was a frozen embryo in a vito fertilization clinic. Smith then followed the introduction of Hannah with "She was what those who support embryonic stem--cell research--research that destroys such human embryos--callously call spare and leftover"(Smith 24). He has now put a name and child to the embryo to paint the picture of her life meaning nothing to the researchers, which is something no one would agree with about a child's life. Smith then adds "She could have been fodder for researches, but instead today she is talking blue steak"(Smith 24). He now has his readers emotions and values with the possibility of Hannah not having life due to research and a human life being a great value. With both statements he has made perfect use of the element in Pathos

His reader will feel concerned after reading "Once we determine that any human life can be destroyed in the name of science, all life is devalued"(Smith 25). That statement brings concern to all mankind either agreeing or disagreeing. Those that do agree with Smith's opinion that embryos are human life will be concerned for others to support the using of embryos for research and devalue human life. The opposite side who does not believe embryos are human life, will be concerned to hear that they are viewed as devaluing human life. It also brings fear for a reader on both sides to think that in the name of science no one's life is worth keeping. With this statement Smith has succeeded at persuading his reader with fear and concern that now he finishes his article with a statement to appeal to our self-esteem. Smith hits his reader's self-esteem perfectly with "No child is spare or leftover, and the weak and the vulnerable will always need someone to speak for them"(Smith 25). "We must speak for them, and for Hannah"(Smith 25). Those two statements appeal to the readers emotion and need for self-esteem. The reader will want to be a part of such a good cause and