Stem Cell Research - Persuasive Speech - Daniel Sauble

Persuasive speech on the topic of Stem Cell research for SPK 201. 7:37

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Stem
• cell
• research
• Persuasive
• speech
• SPK201
• SPK
• 201

[tprice108]

Unfortunately, this was an either-or decision. We have to make these decisions from time to time in our life (ie. you're a vegetarian OR not; you're a Christian OR not) and there are no in-betweens.

If the child was in a back room trapped and if the tray of embryo's was in another room in a fire this would be plausible.

With your reasoning, if the "value of human life is the same regardless of age" then you would save the embryos b/c there are 10 of them.

Just trying to understand you.

[djsauble]

To clarify, I believe that every human life is equally valuable, but in an infinite sense, not a discrete sense. I can no more say that 10 human lives is more valuable than a single human life than I can say that ten times infinity is greater than infinity.

[tprice108]

djsauble question to you: "The embryo is a human" (your quote)

Hypothetical situation: suppose a fire were to break out at a fertility clinic and you had the chance to save a 3 year old child or a tray of 10 embryos; who would you save?

[djsauble]

I believe that the value of human life is the same regardless of age or development. Thus, this question is impossible for me to answer.

Put another way, if a fire broke out in a high-rise apartment, and I could save the life of a 3-year old or an 80-year old, which would I choose? Frankly, the only morally correct action would be to try and save both. There is no alternative.

[djsauble]

The best thing you can do is to be careful to cite your sources and explain your credibility. Otherwise, a sceptical member of your audience may merely dismiss the speech as being based on opinions and assumptions.

Also, don't feel that you have to use an excessive amount of data. A small amount of clearly presented information is far better than a large amount of hastily presented information.

[blonderay]

By the way, I came across your video while searching for persuasive speech ideas. I'm doing one in about a week.

[djsauble]

Good, I hope you got some ideas. :-)

[MrCaptainSr79]

Oh, and it also helps not to refer to your premises as being "facts", as this also tends to come across as arrogant, and can damage your ethos. Sorry if I seem cocky here, not trying to give unwarranted advice, just constructive criticism. I'm really into the art of rhetoric and persuasion myself and enjoy the criticism that others give me in the process. Although, I know that others don't always enjoy the criticism I give them in return :P

[MrCaptainSr79]

Overall, I think this speech was very well rehearsed, and in many way is persuasive. I will say however, that it came it rather monotone, and almost seemed memorized. Not sure what you're doing for your speech outline, but try to make it seem more as though you are talking to your audience and not reading a memorized speech to them. Also, don't be afraid to use your natural voice; over-articulation tends to damage a speakers ethos. Overall though, good job man, keep it up.

[LOGICandREAS0N]

Does this soul that you speak of enter the cell right after the sperm or....are you gonna stop being an uneducated Christian and wake up to the FACT that the earth is not less than 10,000 years old.

[LOGICandREAS0N]

@djsauble We are supposed to advance our species. The chance of this 80 year old reproducing at least one more time before his death is very small. If research were stopped by uncertainty, we never would have developed blood transfusions, cardiac bypass surgery, insulin therapy for diabetes, kidney dialysis, antibiotics, organ transplants and many other treatments we now take for granted. We must be willing to make a small sacrifice for the benefit of the generations to come.

[CIA7792]

@lolamesser where did you find this "credible" source?? :D I'd like to use it as an exmple for mine

[lolamesser]

A fertilized egg does only becomes a fetus or even turn into a functional baby when it is actually implanted into the uterine wall and develops a placenta. If an egg is fertilized in a laboratory and is not implanted into a woman it will under no circumstances develop any kind of human feature. Not even if the egg is nurtured and survives over weeks or even month. It will remain a ball of cells. Thus in this stage (1-8 days old) it can not be considered a human yet.