3. Anne: Technology has affected every single part of this issue. We can prolong life or not depending on what tools we choose to use.

Carrie: Yes, technology is a big one.

Anne: I don’t really feel that technology is just the mechanical aspect. It’s chemical, biological, physical, everything. The advances in technology have gone so far that it can prolong life, yeah, but when you get in the position of an irreversibly comatosetype state, it’s out of step with what people are. You know, should a person’s life be prolonged just to vegetate? Are they prolonging ill health, or are they prolonging life? Technology has reached the outer limits where it’s gone beyond what human beings are.

Carrie: It’s gone beyond the purpose for which medical technology was originally intended.

Its goal was to enhance human life, whereas now it just prolongs death, dying, and pain. Diagram the above arguments using both the Toulmin Model and the Co-Orientational Model of argument. Then, based on what you know, criticize each argument.

What makes it strong? What makes it weak? For example:

Capital punishment for murderers is widely supported by the general population. A Harris Poll in 1975 reported 59 percent of the public was in favor of capital punishment, and that proportion reportedly was increasing. Another poll in 1978 asked the question, “Are you in favor of the death penalty for persons convicted of murder?” The results showed 66 percent of the populace in favor of the death penalty.

Criticism These polls are very outdated. Perhaps public opinion has shifted since the 1970s. Besides, just because the public supports something does not mean that it should be favored.