Evaluation of General Sources

The field of engineering is undoubtedly full of a wide range of possibilities. Engineering is where the innovation of technology happens. Engineers are finding new ways of developing better mechanics to make the world more sustainable and ever-more prosperous.

As we advance into the future ever so quickly, faster and faster by proportion each decade, we find ourself often doubting certain ideas that come into play. These moments are categorized as, "Stop. And wait for a second, do we really have a grip on this?" The upcoming article I am about to lay out for you focuses around this such question as well as many others asked by people from around the world.

Christine, Anne. "Many scientists believe that modifying human embryos in this way crosses an ethical line."
Unknown date via Poujoulat / AFP / Getty Images. Public Domain Dedication.

The first article is titled, "Scientists genetically modify human embryos in controversial world first." The second article is titled, "Chinese scientists genetically modify human embryos."

1. Article One

• URL - This article is sited from "the guardian.com."The source of this article is not of a scholarly journal and could be biased based on who writes and edits each posting. However, The Guardian has been a well respected news outlet especially in England for nearly two centuries. The URL for this article was from the site's "US" section.

• Author - Ian Sample is the science editor for the Guardian. Before working with the newspaper, he was a journal editor at the Institute of Physics and a journalist for the New Scientist. He is a well educated man earning his PhD from Queen Mary's, University of London in biomedical materials. On Twitter, he has over 43,000 followers and over 11,000 tweets mainly of science related topics - even sourcing other media outlets like BBC, The New York Times, Nature.com, and more.

• Last Updated - This article was last modified on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The original posting of the articles was earlier that same day, therefore must contain correct information as it has not been modified since then. Hyperlinks to other articles on the topic as well as links to topics related, such a biology or genetics, remain working. The topic of genetically modifying human embryos continues to be a prominent topic; the Guardian posted an article about ethics on the subject earlier this month.

• Purpose - The idea behind Sample's article was to inform audiences of the multiple viewpoints on the topic of modifying human embryos. Sample's opinion is not presented in his article as he only presents the thoughts of other sources that have opinions on both ends of the spectrum. Some backing the study and others calling it ethically inappropriate. In doing so, he provides quotes from his sources to back their claims even further.

• Graphics - An image provided through Getty Images was included at the beginning of Sample's article. The graphic shows a step to the process of inserting modified genes into an embryo cell. It is unclear and unstated whether the image is of a human embryo however. This photo is to entice readers to look at the process at a molecular level.

• Position on the Subject - Sample does not present his claims on the debate whether the new genetic techniques should be ethically accepted. He only lays out the opinions of other sources, including the group that carried out the procedure. Jung Huang of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou claims that the genetic modification could provide extraordinary benefits but lost adds that the procedure is too immature to call it safe. Hyperlinks are included that redirect readers to other articles on the subject.

• Links - The author, Ian Sample, does not link many sources, but includes a fair amount of quotes and information provided by sources researching the subject of genetically modifying human embryos. This technique allows for the readers to fully educate themselves on the matter rather than directing audiences towards a specific side of the debate.

Image by Wellcome Images. "B0009940 Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), artwork."
Uploaded July 29, 2015 via Flickr. Public Domain Dedication.

2. Article 2

• URL - This article is sited from "nature.com." Although often mistaken for a scholarly journal, Nature is in fact a scientific journal, published in the form of a magazine as well as on their website, nature.com. The site is very credible and statistics have shown it has been one of the most cited scientific journals in the past decade. As a journal, papers published by them is a prestigious title; multiple editors comb through each work they receive before accepting or declining it.

• Author - The authors of this article are David Cyranoski and Sara Reardon. Cyranoski is the Asia-Pacific Correspondent for Nature. He is verified on Twitter which must mean he is fairly credible, although most of his tweets only receive upwards of 2 to 3 favorites from his count of over 300 followers. Reardon has been a reporter for Nature since 2013 and writes about biomedical research and policy. She is also verified on Twitter and in recent postings has received on average a shocking 2 favorites per tweet.

• Last Updated - This article was last updated on April 22, 2015. The update is the original posting of the article on Nature's website. As multiple editors most likely read through the authors' article before publishing, no further modifications were needed. 

• Purpose - The purpose of this article is to inform the public of the controversial methods the Chinese university used in genetically modifying human embryos. The authors presented both sides of the debate equally, highlighting topics of for the study and against the study. Included in the article is also a statement that Nature's research editorial team rejected the study's paper from their site due to controversy. (It was also included that the site's news team editorial independent to its research editorial team.)

• Position on the Subject - The authors do not implement their opinions within this article. Their writing strictly were to inform rather than persuade readers to look a certain way. Using this technique politely forces readers to come up with their own opinions.

• Links - Links to other articles by Nature are included in the primary publication. If readers wish to read other authors' writings these links serve to provide additional information. Links to the reference table at the end of the articles are also provided next to each linked article included.