This blogging experience has actually been very fun. I used to keep on online journal but I've been so busy, I haven't had time to keep up with it anymore. It's nice to come back to this kind of activity and really spend some time thinking and putting down my thoughts. I type a lot faster than I can write, so this is an easy way to ensure that my hands are keeping up with my brain!
I probably will keep this blog strictly for the class, but I would also love for others to read about my topic and become aware of an important concept. It would be interesting to have random people comment on my blogs and share their own thoughts, just for brainstorming purposes. And maybe some practice at counterarguing. I know I might not advertize this blog, but it's still nice to know that other people can read what I've written and share their own thoughts on it.
When this blogging thingy was first assigned, I honestly thought it was going to be a waste of time (I hate to say that) but I proved myself wrong. I thought it would be redundant to write about something I'm writing about, but that's the entire point of the assignment. It's actually been very helpful to reflect on the progress I've made since I chose this topic.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
3rd blog
I haven't really thought about who my audience will be after I finish this paper, but I would want parents of small children to know about my topic. I think it's important for parents to be sure of what exactly is in these shots that are being given to their children, and make them aware of the possibility of some kind of side effect or disorder resulting from them.
This topic is relevant to the time period, because the number of children diagnosed with autism has risen from 1 in 10,000 children to 1 in 250 -- that's scary. Is this increase in the number of children with autism a result of more vaccines given to small children? So far, all of my sources think so.
I am invested in this topic because of my favorite high school teacher; her son was born healthy, learned to walk and speak at an average age, but then lost his ability to communicate, interpret his surroundings, and speak at all. Raising awareness is important. The toll that this disease has taken on my teacher and all other parents of autistic children is astounding, and there should be more research into this debate in order to protect more famies.
I really haven't seen many opposing viewpoints, which was a problem that I listed in my previous blogs. Obviously pediatricians do not think that these vaccines are harmful, because they are administering them to young children. But as far as a written source, I still haven't found very much.
One thing that really stood out to me from my research was a story about a doctor who lost his job for speaking up about the possible linkage between autism and vaccines. I don't think it's fair that he lost his job for speaking up, but it is interesting to see that the hospital decided to fire him.
I love Janie Hatley's research topic. Its important to research something that is important to the writer on a personal level, and that's why her topic is so great. I'm curious as to how she will go about turning the topic question into some kind of argument format.
This topic is relevant to the time period, because the number of children diagnosed with autism has risen from 1 in 10,000 children to 1 in 250 -- that's scary. Is this increase in the number of children with autism a result of more vaccines given to small children? So far, all of my sources think so.
I am invested in this topic because of my favorite high school teacher; her son was born healthy, learned to walk and speak at an average age, but then lost his ability to communicate, interpret his surroundings, and speak at all. Raising awareness is important. The toll that this disease has taken on my teacher and all other parents of autistic children is astounding, and there should be more research into this debate in order to protect more famies.
I really haven't seen many opposing viewpoints, which was a problem that I listed in my previous blogs. Obviously pediatricians do not think that these vaccines are harmful, because they are administering them to young children. But as far as a written source, I still haven't found very much.
One thing that really stood out to me from my research was a story about a doctor who lost his job for speaking up about the possible linkage between autism and vaccines. I don't think it's fair that he lost his job for speaking up, but it is interesting to see that the hospital decided to fire him.
I love Janie Hatley's research topic. Its important to research something that is important to the writer on a personal level, and that's why her topic is so great. I'm curious as to how she will go about turning the topic question into some kind of argument format.
2nd blog
Well apparently it didn't save this the last time I wrote it, so...take two :(
The most interesting source I had found was the review of a meeting held by the US House of Representatives. The main speaker told the audience about his grandchild, who he believes developed autism from a flu vaccine, so he was very adamant about the subject. The meeting went on as he shared many statistics from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and explained that not enough funding has been provided for more research into the possible dangers of vaccines.
My topic hasn't really changed since I've started researching, because there is enough conversation about this topic going around. I don't really think I should narrow my topic down to a certain type of vaccine, because many of them have thimerosal (the potentially-harmful preservative found in a lot of vaccines).
The only trouble I've had with this assignment thus far is finding sources to challenge the argument that vaccines may cause autism. It's very easy to find people that believe vaccines are harmful, but it's a little harder to research evidence showing that they are not harmful.
The most interesting source I had found was the review of a meeting held by the US House of Representatives. The main speaker told the audience about his grandchild, who he believes developed autism from a flu vaccine, so he was very adamant about the subject. The meeting went on as he shared many statistics from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and explained that not enough funding has been provided for more research into the possible dangers of vaccines.
My topic hasn't really changed since I've started researching, because there is enough conversation about this topic going around. I don't really think I should narrow my topic down to a certain type of vaccine, because many of them have thimerosal (the potentially-harmful preservative found in a lot of vaccines).
The only trouble I've had with this assignment thus far is finding sources to challenge the argument that vaccines may cause autism. It's very easy to find people that believe vaccines are harmful, but it's a little harder to research evidence showing that they are not harmful.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
First Blog...How's it going?
First blog...this is a lot like LiveJournal. I like it!
For the semester-long inquiry, I'll be questioning the linkage between vaccines and autism. A high school teacher I had influenced me to choose this topic, because her son was diagnosed with autism shortly after he recieved some kind of vaccination (I don't remember for what), and that scared the crap out of me.
People should DEFINITELY care about this topic, because there is so much controversy surrounding it. Are doctors giving us shots filled with substances (mercury) that could potentially cause more harm than help? My mom is all-about whatever the doctor says, and my dad thinks some vaccines are just unneccesary. Everyone stands in a different position regarding this topic, and I like that.
In my research, I expect to find a lot of contradicting statements. I have a feeling doctors will be endorsing the continuation of vaccinations, and people who have loved ones suffering from autism will likely tell how they believe their lives were changed by a shot the doctor administered.
I have not conducted enough research to give you a definite standing point on how I feel about this topic, but I'm more inclined to lean towards the anti-vaccination side. There is a lot of evidence pointing towards a possible link between vaccines and autism (as well as ADD and other medical conditions), and my high school teacher was very close to me, so that's probably influencing my standing point as well.
A question I have for Ms. Ingram: I am considering re-connecting with that high school teacher and possibly conducting an interview, but I'm not entirely sure if I am allowed to count that as a source, because she isn't a "scholarly resource" I suppose. However, I think having a personal story to tell would add some flair to this inquiry, and maybe I could interview a doctor or some other health-related official to give his or her standpoint as well.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)