Cultural Analysis of "Stem Cell Controversy"

ClkerFreeVectorImages. "Diversity Cultures Worldwide Network Cooperation." 2012 via pixabay. CC0 Public Domain. 

In this blog post I will be doing a cultural analysis on the article, "Stem Cell Controversy." I will be talking about key words used to point out our own culture as well as finding the main points within the article.

1) What are two to three cultural key words that you feel are the most important to the overall argument of the text? 

One key word that is used a lot throughout the text is ethics. This word is the basis of the argument itself. The stem cell research can help save lives, but the issue is whether it is right to be taking these stem cells from unborn infants. As a society, we still argue about the technicalities of when a fetus actually becomes a living thing. Some say at fertilization while others say it occurs later in the pregnancy. This is an ethical issue whether it is ok to sacrifice a future life in the name of science and innovation. Is it the right of the parents to give up this embryo?

Religion is another key word that is used to talk about the debate involving sperm cells. Religious beliefs go against the idea of using human beings as a means for scientific research, even if that research may save many lives.

Another use the word cultures quite a bit as well. This they add in addition to religion because there a lot of other cultural groups out there other than religions that influence your perspective on this issue. Different countries have different cultures. The way you live and the ways in which you have been taught to live influence your ideals which influence your perspective on this event.

2)  Circle all the times these words were used. 

Ethics, or any grammatically version of the word is used 3 times.

Religion is used 1 time.

Culture is used 2 times.

3) What is the thesis for the article?

The thesis in this case would be:
The use of stem cells for scientific research is still under debate due to religious conflicts, cultural conflicts, and scientific beliefs involving contraception.

4) What are the phrases of the key words found in the text?

Ethics was used quite a bit within the text. The majority of the first paragraph revolved around ethics. "There are several ethical issues that are raised while working with stem cells. The ethical issues were addressed in a 2005 guidelines for research with human embryonic stem cells by the National Academies. This urges scientists who work with embryonic stem cells to be responsible, ethical, and sensitive in their work."
The word steps in again to talk about another aspect of the debate.
"Ethics steps in when human and animal cells are combined to create chimeras."

Religion is also used to describe a sect of individuals who do not agree with the use of stem cells for research. The actual word is only used once, but the ideals of these people are the basis of the argument.
"In addition, some cultures and religious traditions do not support the use of human life as a means to some other end despite the end being a noble one."

The word and idea of different cultures is mentioned in the text.
"In addition, some cultures and religious traditions do not support the use of human life as a means to some other end despite the end being a noble one.
"Yet other cultures support embryonic stem cell research as they believe that the embryo has a moral right as a human only after a few months on development."
Different cultures can be on opposing sides of an issue.

5) What are these key words telling us and how do they relate to the thesis?

they tell about the different factors that separate the different sides of this controversy. Religious ideals always hold people on moral high grounds and when it comes to the life of potential infants, people become very sensitive. The scientific beliefs also comes out of different cultures. A lot of people believe that science should not be used as much as it is, since it is not natural. Also, scientific beliefs come into play against religious ideals. All these ideas are the basis of the arguments and are what drive people to stick to their ideals. Your religion, culture, and ethics are what make you who you are and if you compromise those things, then you are changing who you are.