EXPERT ASSESMENT - The Vatican Supports Stem Cell Research

PART ONE: ARTICLE SUMMARY

KEY IDEAS:

• the Church is providing financial support International Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium
• research is to find out a new way to get stem cells without embryos
• research is going to be in Rome
  
• Dr. Alession Fasano says that of the adult stem cells, the intestinal stem cells seem to be the best to use

PURPOSE:

• the purpose of the financial support is to find a new way to harness stem cells

KEY CONCLUSIONS:

• my conclusion is that the Vatican is trying to eradicate the use of embryonic stem cell research by supporting the research for this new method

PEOPLE, AGENCIES, etc.:

• Catholic Church
• International Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium
• Dr. Alessio Fasano
• Center of Celiac Research
• University of Maryland School Medicine
  

Biology class has bettered my understanding of this article. We have covered the topic of Stem Cell research and without that I wouldn't have known what they were. We studied how they address moral issues and how they can be found in only specific areas of the body. The topic of stem cells has been covered well and I feel that I understand them very well.

TYPE OF ARTICLE = a report on new research development

Hutchison, By Courtney. "Vatican Backs Stem Cell Research - ABC News." ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Politics, Online News, World News, Feature Stories, Celebrity Interviews and More - ABC News. 23 Apr. 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

PART TWO: BACKGROUND RESEARCH

ARTICLE #1: Vatican Financing Adult Stem Cell Research In Md.

This article is about how the Church and science are agreeing on partnership. The Vatican funded adult stem cell research in Italy for over two million dollars. The article talks about how the Vatican is supporting the therapeutic applications for adult stem cells. The purpose of the intestinal stem cell research is to cure gastrointestinal diseases. The University of Maryland health institutions in Italy will lead the research in adult intestinal stem cells.

Bubala, Mary. "Vatican Financing Adult Stem Cell Research In Md. - Wjz.com." WJZ - Baltimore, Maryland's Breaking News, Weather & Sports Station - Wjz.com. 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 May 2010. .

ARTICLE #2: Vatican to Finance Adult Stem Cell Research

This article notes that the Vatican will finance the research of adult intestinal stem cells. It says that the Vatican will give over two million dollars to the University of Maryland's School and Medicine. Though the Church is against embryonic stem cell usage, adult stem cell usage is pro-life and accepted by the Vatican. The article states that Pope Benedict said "adult stem cell research respects human life." The researchers hope to find the answer in the next two or three years.

Bubala, Mary. "Vatican Financing Adult Stem Cell Research In Md. - Wjz.com." WJZ - Baltimore, Maryland's Breaking News, Weather & Sports Station - Wjz.com. 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 May 2010. .

ARTICLE #3: Vatican Supports Stem Cell Research

This article states that the Vatican is backing up adult stem cell research, but has not yet given financial support. Embryonic stem cells treatment is opposed by the Church. The Church supports adult stem cells, which are taken from organs and tissues. The project that the Church is supporting is research for intestinal adult stem cells. These can are adaptable cells obtained through endoscopy.

Albainy-Jenei, Stephen. "» Vatican Supports Adult Stem Cell Research." Patent Baristas. 26 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 May 2010. .

PART THREE: ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL BIAS

1. Bias through selection and omission

This article shows bias through selection. The writers only chose to quote the scientists point of view. Only once did they chose to quote the Pope, and that was when he said that adult stem cell research respects human life. They most likely left out some quotes that opposed stem cells research. One quote that might have potential bias is "'We are trying to explore stem cell research aside from embryonic stem cells,' says Dr. Alessio Fasano" This might have potential bias. They might, instead of using embryonic stem cell research, use other stem cells that can prevent the birth of another human.

2. Bias through placement

This article isn't placed in any particular order. Each one of these articles is part of a website.

3. Bias through headline

All of the headlines have to do with the Vatican siding with stem cells. They obviously don't say that the Vatican is siding with adult stem cells instead of embryonic. The bias that Vatican has completely changed its viewpoint on the subject is in each of the headlines. One specific example of bias through headlines is "Vatican Supports Stem Cell Research." A more appropriate headline would be "Vatican Supports Adult Stem Cell Research."

4. Bias by photos, captions, and camera angles

There are no photos or captions on any of the websites that include that articles I read.

5. Bias through use of names and titles.

In article #3, the writer calls the research an "international project for adult stem cell research." I think that this puts more emphasis on the stem cell research than on the Vatican. This gives a reader the feeling that the choice for supporting adult stem cell research is a great decision.

6. Bias through statistics and crowd counts

There were very few statistics in the articles that I read. The only statistic that seemed to show bias was the amount of money the Vatican invested in the stem cell research. They seemed to stress that the Vatican invested $2.7 million dollars. This could show bias that they either put to much money in or to little.

7. Bias by source control

This type of of bias was blatant. Most of the sources were from the International Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium.

8. Bias by word choice and tone

The tone for all of articles for me was shock. It was trying to show how shocking it was for the Vatican to change its mind on stem cell research.