rhetorical analysis of the video “The Virus that Kills the Drug-Resistant Superbugs.

rhetorical analysis of the video “The Virus that Kills the Drug-Resistant Superbugs.

This document is made by the motherboard on the drug-resistant superbugs.  Superbugs are the types of bacterias that are resistant to drugs. Over many years of antibiotic use to get rid of bacteria from the body, some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics. The documentary suggests that bacteria resistant to drugs have led to a lot of deaths. Scientists have come up with some virus that can be able to get rid of the drug-resistant bacteria. The scientists believe that the virus can be the answer to solving this problem.  The bacteria was given the name, bacteriophages, one hundred years ago. This paper is a rhetorical analysis of the video “The Virus that Kills the Drug-Resistant Superbugs.”

The main message being put across by this video is the importance of phages in killing the drug-resistant bacteria. The presenters argue that phage is very useful in getting rid of the bacteria in the body that tend to be resistant to antibiotics. The presenter explains that bacteria I now killing people more than cancer. In the video, it is explained that bacteria are becoming resistant to drugs as time goes by, and there is a time where any medication is not going to work on the bacteria. The speaker shows some of the information they have published on the topic to show that they are a credible source of information on this topic, he explains that this is the publication that has received more publicity on than any publication. The presenter in the video is a professor from Rockefeller University and the head of laboratory bacterial pathogenesis eliminatory. The profession of the presenter is enough to convince the listener that this is a credible source of information on this topic. The expertise of the presenter shows that this is an individual who knows something profound on the virus killing drug-resistant bacteria.

The video also makes use of quotes from specific essential individuals in the world. An example is when they take some portion of the former United States President Barack Obama’s speech, which states, “Drug-resistant bacteria is one of the serious health issues we are dealing with today” and the quote from the former ASSt. Director-General, World Health Org. Keiji Fukuda, “we are losing the ability to treat infections.” These statements are meant to point out to the listener that drug-resistant bacteria infestation is something that is a big problem and a counter solution, which is the introduction of the use of phages to get rid of the bacterial infections that cannot be treated by drugs. The speaker brings out empathy from the listeners by explaining that the drug-resistant bacteria is now one of the causes of deaths and even wipes away a higher percentage of the world’s population more than cancer does. The video has made use of some of the patients suffering from a bacterial infection that have developed antibiotic resistant. One of the patients who is suffering from bacterial skin infection that would not be cured using antibacterial explains his predicament. This is the evidence used by the video to support the thesis that phages are the way forward to the problem of drug-resistant bacteria.

The speaker claims that it is not the first time phage is being introduced in the battle against bacteria. He says, “Phage has been there with us even before the introduction of antibiotics.” To support this claim, the speaker gives examples of countries that have been using phage therapy all this while to battle bacterial infection that is resistant to drugs. As proof that this type of treatment has been in the medical world, we are presented by a patient who has been suffering from skin bacterial bacteria, and antibiotics have not been able to help; thus, he has been taking phage therapies.  The doctor handling this treatment explains that phage has been used for over 90 years. With the use of the patient, the documentary explores the sympathy of the listener. This is enough to get the listeners to agree with their claim. The use of a doctor ho practices the use f phages is a strong ethos. It is only natural to agree to the claims of a practitioner in the area around the topic for they know more about the subject. The doctor showing how the therapy works a lot of explanation enough to convince the listener that bacteriophages are good in the treatment of superbugs. The doctor explains that “ phages have been used since 1923 by the soviet union.” This proves that the treatment has been used for a long time but not approved in most countries. She continues to say that she hopes the western countries are ready to introduce this kind of cure for superbugs, that has been forgotten for ages. People will trust the word of a professional than the word of an unprofessional informant; thus the use of people who have handled the phages works for convincing individuals.

The video brings out the idea that phages are not infective as compared to antibacterial that can get someone from good health to poor health and at the end, death. While this claim is very difficult to believe, the video appeals to the logical reasoning of the listener by explaining how this bacteria works. The speaker describes how phages work against the bacteria and how the antibiotics are more dangerous to the health of an individual than the virus phage. The speaker explains that the phages have enzymes called lysin. The enzyme lysin is to help by rupturing the cell walls of the bacteria once it is released. As a result of rupturing the cell wall of the bacteria, the organs of the bacteria are displaced; thus the death of the bacteria. The speaker explains that the antibiotics only work for a short period until they become useless since some bacteria to get resistant to the drugs. It is quite logical to implement the use of the phages; however, much the bacteria will be resistant after some years, for it buys more time to look for a much permanent solution to bacterial infections. A bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics in even a year, exposing the individual to more infections and even death.

The speaker also says, as compared to the antibiotics, phages have no side effects since they area part of the biosphere. There is no chemicals secreted by the phage virus that can affect the health of the patient. By this, he attempts to convince the listeners that is entirely safe to use the counter treatment than using antibiotics that have proved to be very much effective until now that the superbugs are being resistant to the drugs. The use of logos is very useful in affecting the reasoning of an individual about a topic of discussion. Through the logical reasons given out, it is easy for the listener to reason out with the two variables. The visual presentation from the video on how the enzyme lysin breaks the cell wall of the bacteria and completely disintegrate the bacteria is proof that it is the most effective way to get rid of the bacteria without any effect on the body of the affected individual. To prove that the virus is a part of the biosphere, it is shown in the video how the virus is harvested from biological materials and produced in the lab without adding any chemicals.

The final idea of this video on the thesis is that it is not the final or a permanent solution to the bacterial infections even though it is the most effective solution for superbug for now. To prove that the phage is the most effective solution for the drug-resistant bugs, it is explained in the video that; before the introduction of antibiotics, phage was used to cure bacterial infections and its use has continued though not approved by other nations. Even though phages were used before the introduction of antibiotics, the superbugs have not become resistant to the phages yet. It is estimated that 2050, ten million people could die within a year from multiple drug-resistant bacteria. The bacteria might become resistant to phages someday but not in the near future. The speaker explains that the bacteria might become resistant to the phages within seventy years from now, but by then, a much more reliable solution will have been founded. The use of logos here stimulates the logical thinking of the listener into agreeing with the thesis of the video, that phages might be the right way to tackle with superbugs.

In conclusion, antibiotics have proven to be useless in the fight against certain bacterial infections. A lot of people are dying as a result of superbugs because antibiotics have become ineffective. This is why there are many reoccurring bacterial infections. Phages might be the answer to this problem. It is proven that it is something that has been used for a long time against superbugs. It is worth trying this type of treatment since a lot of tests by many scientists have proven that phages can kill the bacteria causing infections but not affect the body. Studies have shown that the phages release an enzyme called lysin. This enzyme is used by the phage in the inside, but it can be used in the outside to kill a bug causing infection. Once the lysin gets on the cell wall of the bacteria, the organs of the bacteria busts killing the bacteria; hence, problem is solved. Scientists claim that the phage has no effect on the body as the antibacterial are.

Antibiotics buy the body time but do not clear the infection, and this is why many people experience reoccurrence of a bacterial infection. It is quite an irony that it is a virus that helps eliminate bacterial infection. Even though there are specific weaknesses in this treatment, it offers a lot of time enough to come up with another treatment option that is long term. Scientists say that the bacteria might end up being resistant to the lysin enzyme.