Neutral Scientific language..

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

Here’s what we’ve come to in talking about abortion:

The right has pushed so hard for non-scientific language that “I try to use neutral scientific language, but often that choice is perceived as supporting legal abortion,” a reproductive historian and law professor tells Poynter.

 https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2019/in-the-intense-debate-over-abortion-precise-language-doesnt-mean-taking-sides/

Neutral scientific language is seen as political because it’s not the nonscientific language favored by abortion opponents. Relatively few people even know what the scientific language would look like. Forget about babies; the word fetus isn’t even accurate until eight weeks’ gestation. Before that, you’re talking about an embryo, no matter what word you’re using. And that, combined with the fact that a heart doesn’t develop until later, means they’re not “fetal heartbeat” bills. They’re referring to “embryonic pulsing” or “the pulsing of what becomes the fetus’ heart” or "fetal pole cardiac activity." 

But that’s so unfair, abortion opponents whine. How dare people try to replace their politicized language with accuracy? Here’s the thing, guys: Scientific language can be clunky. But it’s better than language weaponized against reality. 

Laura Clawson
Daily Kos Staff

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
fiveisalimit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Voice Resident Joined: Aug 16 2017 Location: ohio Status: Offline Points: 79	Post Options Post Reply Quote fiveisalimit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Neutral Scientific language.. Posted: Jun 05 2019 at 11:32pm
	Here’s what we’ve come to in talking about abortion: The right has pushed so hard for non-scientific language that “I try to use neutral scientific language, but often that choice is perceived as supporting legal abortion,” a reproductive historian and law professor tells Poynter. https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2019/in-the-intense-debate-over-abortion-precise-language-doesnt-mean-taking-sides/ Neutral scientific language is seen as political because it’s not the nonscientific language favored by abortion opponents. Relatively few people even know what the scientific language would look like. Forget about babies; the word fetus isn’t even accurate until eight weeks’ gestation. Before that, you’re talking about an embryo, no matter what word you’re using. And that, combined with the fact that a heart doesn’t develop until later, means they’re not “fetal heartbeat” bills. They’re referring to “embryonic pulsing” or “the pulsing of what becomes the fetus’ heart” or "fetal pole cardiac activity." But that’s so unfair, abortion opponents whine. How dare people try to replace their politicized language with accuracy? Here’s the thing, guys: Scientific language can be clunky. But it’s better than language weaponized against reality. Laura Clawson Daily Kos Staff

basser Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Voice Citizen Joined: Mar 07 2010 Status: Offline Points: 539	Post Options Post Reply Quote basser Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 07 2019 at 9:00pm
	“She heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors; They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore; God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes; 'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose.” ~ Erik Francis Schrody (Everlast), from the song, “What It’s Like.”