Argument38【0706G－~4而后生~小组】第2次作业 by nap

napUID: 196976

TOPIC: ARGUMENT38 - The following memo appeared in the newsletter of the West Meria Public Health Council.

"An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study reports that in nearby East Meria, where fish consumption is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds. Clearly, eating a substantial amount of fish can prevent colds. Since colds are the reason most frequently given for absences from school and work, we recommend the daily use of Ichthaid, a nutritional supplement derived from fish oil, as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism."
WORDS: 456->484          TIME: 0:27:49          DATE: 2007-3-3

The author of the memo argues that using Ichthaid will reduce absenteeism in their schools and workplaces. To support his argument, the author mentions a study reporting that people in nearby East Meria where fish consumption is very high seldom visit doctor and argues that eating a great deal of fish can prevent colds. In addition, he argues that it is colds that are the main reason of absences. As far as I concern, the memo should not be followed for there are some flaws.

First of all, the author only takes a few factors into consideration. Using the study, the author found that people seldom go to see doctor in East Meria where people consume a lot of fish. However, the author fails to rule out other factors such as what is the weather like in East Meria and whether people are likely to do exercises. It is possible that the weather in East Meria is fairly well and as a result, people there almost never have cold while the weather is bad in author's district. Or maybe people in East Meria have a habit to do exercises everyday and they are healthier than those near the West Meria Public Health Council.

Additionally, the author makes a false analogy. If the assumption is true that eating a great amount of fish is good for health, we can not conclude that it is Ichthaid that contribute to the health because there is no evidence to show the effect of Ichthaid. There are many other kinds of material in fish and maybe they enhance people's health.

Besides the author also fails to convince us that the more the amount of fish eating, the healthier people are. If it is true that fish help to make people healthy, there is no evidence to show that the effect grows up with the increasing amount of fish. There may be some essential material that helps people but if it is absorbed more than essential it is wasted.

Moreover, the author makes the conclusion too hastily. If we concede that it is Ichthaid that contribute to the health of people in East Meria, we can not say that it is cold that make people absent. Common sense tells us that other disease such as pain can also contribute to absenteeism. The author, however, do not take these potential diseases into consideration. Maybe people living near West Meria Public Health Council have no cold but some other illness.

To sum up, the instruction of the memo should not be followed for these reasons above. To support the memo, the author should make a deeper survey indicating that other factors such as weather in both site are similar. Besides, the author should convince us that it is Ichthaid that help enhance people's health. Finally, the author should also make it believable that the cold is the main reason for the absenteeism.