TOW #3 In Fragmented Forests, Rapid Mammal Extinctions

Hearing the word extinct people usually think of mammoths and dodo birds, thinking animal extinction is a part of the earth’s past. Today scientists are worried about animals that live in tropical forests going extinct. In Fragmented Forests, Rapid Mammal Extinctions by Carl Zimmer juxtaposition and a sophisticated tone are used to explain to readers that extinction remains an urgent problem facing the world today. Carl Zimmer a columnist for The New York Times published twelve books and writes his own blog. His expertise is the frontiers of biology and Zimmer commonly speaks at universities, medical schools, museums, and festivals.

Zimmer’s column this week dives into the topic of fragmented islands in Thailand constructed by a dam built across the Khlong Saeng in 1987 river creating isolated wildlife. Zimmer and many other biologists were concerned about the species living on these islands being affected by mutations and lack of diversity leading to extinction. Studies were preformed for over two decades to measure the speed of animal extinctions.

The juxtaposition of information in this article increases the fear about the scientific discoveries. Data from 1992 is placed next to data from 2012. The results show major differences that make the audience see the need for immediate action. The experiment displays that all species have disappeared from the islands but Malayan field rats followed by a quote from a respected scientist, “Our results should be a warning,” said Dr. Gibson. “This is the trend that the world is going in.” A surplus of alarming information placed together expresses the urgency that needs to be taken for this cause.

The sophisticated tone presents the facts in such a way that a mature audience would believe their truth. The advanced vocab and scientists quoted throughout the article present the argument in an impactful way, “Dr. Pimm and Dr. Gibson agreed that the fast pace of extinction in forest fragments gives an urgency to conserving the large swaths of tropical forest that still remain.” Zimmer uses these informative methods to make his purpose clear and significant. The article makes it easy to comprehend the trepidation scientists are experiencing when it comes to about animal extinction.

TOW #2 Will You Still Love Me When I’m 164?

What would you do if you knew you could live to be more than 100? “Will You Still Love Me When I’m 164?” by Sonia Arrison, published by Time magazine, suggests the refashions that would occur in social life if people lived into their 150s. As part of the Google vs. death series, Arrison offers ideas of the differences people may find in every day life. “Google's plan to extend our life span will change love, work, and just about every aspect of society.” The reasoning explained in this article provides the reader with mind-blowing ideas.

In the Time article Arrison speculates that life will improve as average life expectancy reaches unprecedented heights. Her strong counter arguments add to her reasoning. “Another objection to longer lives is that somehow it will make life less noble… more time with friends and family, innovating, career building, exploring, learning, and helping others would increase the richness of our lives.” Arrison reiterates comments people have said about problems with living longer and attacks each one with a strong point connecting it with information that show how it can actually be better. Weaving all of this in with facts proving that life will be better when Google “solves” death, a strong argument is created.

In addition Arrison evokes emotion throughout the piece. She discusses thoughtful topics that force her reader to ponder on today’s social norms. “Most married people have spoken the words ‘until death do us part,’ usually expecting to enjoy a wonderful half a century or so with their beloved,” she follows this with the crazy idea that scientists believe its possible people can live to the age of 150.

In the entire article Arrison has her readers full attention making them think and question what like will be like someday. The interesting topic allows her to presents great support for her claims, which swiftly persuade the audience. Arrison’s best selling book, How the Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything, From Careers and Relationships to Family and Faith qualify her to write this article.

TOW #1 IRB The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

HeLa cells, a recognizable term for any biologist, had an almost completely unknown origin. Even the donor’s family did not know of their existence for more than twenty years. Cells taken from Henrietta’s cervical cancer doubled and doubled continuously, helping scientists uncover secrets of cancer, viruses, vaccines, cloning and many more advances that have changed our everyday life. Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells of the many important people involved in this medical breakthrough all tied into one story. A timeline tracing the top of the pages shows the jump between Henrietta’s childhood from the 1920’s to the 1940’s, Henrietta’s cancer and cell culture of the 1950’s, and Rebecca’s research in 1999.  All bound into one book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks reads as a biography and memoir. Rebecca, a student who dreaded biology class when she first learned of the HeLa cells, became an award-winning science writer. Later an interest in these cells made her ask questions that no one had before. Her biography of Henrietta Lacks shares the untold story of the woman and her family who advanced medical research for scientists all around the world.

Rebecca’s unique method of telling Henrietta’s story excites and entrances readers. Using her own inquisitiveness for Henrietta’s life, Rebecca writes her own story into this history; she transfigures the biography into a memoir. The personal touches added from explaining the difficulty Rebecca encounters when tracking down the Lacks family, adds to the background of Henrietta’s life and the Lacks family’s reactions to learning the news. This creative technique introduces the reader to information like Henrietta’s daughter Deborah’s stroke from feeling overwhelmed by all the stress of her mother’s immortal cells and the deterioration of the neighborhood where Henrietta spent most of her life. The book develops as Rebecca learns more information about Henrietta and her cells. Henrietta’s life became a mystery; Rebecca became the detective. As a thought provoking way of displaying the facts the reader begins to wonder more about the Lacks along with Rebecca in the story. How did the family learn of her immortal cells? What happened to Henrietta’s daughter Elise? Did Dr. Gey (the scientist who grew the cells) give the Lacks family any money he made from selling Henrietta’s cells?

By including Rebecca’s own memoir into the biography of Henrietta Lacks she creates an exciting read instead of a simple story. The personal feel adds depth to the information transforming these cells from medical research tools into a real person.

IRB Intro Post Marking Period 1

For the first marking period I am reading The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This book is a biography of Henrietta's life and how her cells have been perserved and used for scientific experimentation. I selected this book becuase I enjoy reading historical fiction and realistic fiction and I thought this book might be comperable. The topic is unique and it made me wonder about how these cells have advanced medicine.