http://www.scientificamerican.

com/article/largest-ever-ebola-outbreak-is-not-a-global-threat/

Taking sides analysis report (short form)
Lisa Putnam
8/5/2014
Human biology
Scientific American, Nature Magazine
Author: Declan Butler
Major thesis and position of author: The Ebola is not a global threat and unlike a pandemic flu virus the
Ebola can be stamped out.
1. Briefly state in your own words three facts presented. There has been 814 lab confirmed
infections and 456 deaths. Before this Uganda was the largest outbreak in 2000 and 2001 where
425 were infected and 224 died. Ebola there are no current licensed drugs or vaccines.
2. Briefly state in your own words three opinions given. The probability of an infected person
getting on a flight is low. The new treatments would help reduce the high mortality rate of the
diseases. Making treatments would be counterproductive and raise suspicion among the Public
Health Organization
3. Identify in your own words the propaganda techniques used, if any. The propaganda techniques
in an effort to not alarm the public with the problem with Ebola.
4. What cause/effect relationships were stated or implied by the author? Author talks about the
location of the virus being in more third world countries. The effects that there is little global
travel and will not be likely to spread the virus on a global level.
5. Were any of these cause/ effect statements faulty? Why? The cause and effect the author gives
seems to generalize the magnitude of the problem and its effects on the country and the world.
6. Did you find evidence of other logical errors on the part of the author? Explain where and how
for each of the topics listed below.
a. Distortion of Information: writer talks about new outbreaks not being highly contagious, but
then right after saying the outbreak kills 56% of people it infects.
b. Faulty Analogy: throughout the article the writer compares Ebola to a pandemic flu virus; he
does this without accurately looking into the effects and damages done by each while over
exaggerating the flu and generalizing the Ebola.
c. Oversimplification: the writer makes it sound quite simple to keeping the Ebola outbreak
under control, not taking into account all the potential problems that come and need to be
considered while maintaining the Ebola problem.
d. Stereotyping: the writer talks about how WHO and other health authorities just need people
to trust them. Stereotyping the lack of trust between the people and the government and
the people and other countries.
e. Faulty Generalization: The title of the article alone is a generalization; there is no way to
predict to know that the Ebola effects could not come back and that it would not become a
global threat.
7. How credible is the author? What are the authors credentials for writing this presentation?
Given the lack of information on the writer it would be logical to presume the credibility of the
writer and the knowledge of the writer may be limited.
8. How does this material fit in with material in your text or material presented in class? Be
specific. As discussed in unit 4 in the human biology textbook, we have talked about the spread
of viruses as well as germs and the effects on the human body. This also is discussed when
talking about the damaged and control effects to keep harmful pathogens at bay.