Research Source Log for Online Source

“Specific Page Title or Article Title”	Abortion: Science
Primary Contributor to the Website (if given) (author, editor, producer, etc)	Gregg Cunningham (Executive Director)
Title of the Entire Website (not www.)	CBR- The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform
Publisher or Sponsoring Organization of the website (if given)	CBR
Date Page was Last Revised	2006?
Date You Read It	January 31, 2012
<URL address> (ALL of it)	http://abortionno.org/AbortionNO/abortion_fl.html

FIVE FACTS FROM THE SOURCE (Embedded):

This article begins by defining when a life “begins”, using Professor Micheline Matthews-Roth’s statement that “’It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception’” (Matthews-Roth, CBR). Many people believe that a fetus is not a life until it has developed thoroughly. Professor Micheline attended Harvard University Medical School.

They further prove their point by citing Doctor Jerome LeJuene, professor of genetics at the University of Descartes, he claims that once “’fertilization has taken place a new human being has come into being” and that “it is no longer a matter of taste or opinion… it is plain experimental evidence’” (LeJuene, CBR).

The site explains that fertilization is, “the exact moment when a new human being comes into existence.” It supports this by explaining that this new life has still “inherited 23 chromosomes from each parent” which “contains the entire genetic code for every detail of individual human development” (CBR).

Even the Senate agreed on when a life begins based off of scientific research, saying that “’scientists agree that conception marks the beginning of the life of a human being – a being that is alive and is a member of the human species’” (Senate Report, CBR).

It has been written in a book by doctors E.L. Potter and J.M. Craig that “’Every time a sperm cell and ovum unite a new being is created which is alive and will continue to live unless its death is brought about by some specific condition’” (Pathology of the Fetus and the Infant, CBR).

Summary of Source (Three-Four Sentences of the Who, What, Where, Why, and How in your own words. NO OPINION): 

CBR uses multiple quotes from prestigious medical experts, experienced in numerous fields (biology, genetics, physiology, etc.) to justify their opposition towards abortions. Although the website appeals mostly to emotion, they begin by defining what a human life is and when it begins so that they can establish facts before they argue based on morality. Then they offer a scientific timeline about the stages of pregnancy and how developed the fetus is during these stages.

Credibility of Source: 
Author or Site: Who is the author? What training have they had? If there is no author, examine the site. What is the purpose of the site? Who funds the site? 

I expect that numerous people have helped create all of the web pages. I’m sure they are mostly written or at least revised by Gregg Cunningham since he is the executive director. It does not state who the actual author is though. The site attempts to convince people to fight abortion and take a stand against it. The site is funded by donations; it does not show indication of any other funding.

Attachment: Does the author or site have anything to gain from writing this, or is it simply informative? For example, is it a cigarette business posting an article about the benefit of cigarettes, or is it a scientific community unaffiliated with the cigarette business? 

Yes, the website simply wants to save lives. It is informative as well but their dilemma concerns the morality of abortion.

Bias: Do you detect a bias (a favoring of either side) in the author's writing? 

Oh yes, there is bias without discretion. The website clearly takes a pro-life stance. The whole purpose of the website is to stop abortion and help those who are considering an abortion or have stress after having one.

References: Does the author cite references in the writing? If so, do these add or take away from the credibility? 

Yes, many. It adds to the credibility, the website uses quotes from a professor for Harvard Medical School, a Professor of genetics at the University of Descartes, a quote from the official Senate report, and many more highly regarded books, documents and people.

Use of Source: How will you use this source in your project? 

I will use this source mostly for interviews and personal experiences. It will mostly be used for the emotional appeal of my project, it has graphic pictures and has good arguments that I can use to take a stance against abortions. Although it utilizes logos as well, it mostly appeals to pathos.