Bibliography#1

Abstract:

The bibliography below is based on a New York Times article by Nathanial Rich, who is a novelist and a graduate from Yale University. In my writing, I have explained Rich’s experience with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that regulates airport security. Since 2009, the TSA has been using a cancer-causing full-body scanner at airports known as backscatter X-ray scanner, which makes Rich sad and unhappy about the airport experience. He feels extremely unpleasant about the fact that these machines release cancer-causing radiations and tries to avoid this machine by negotiating with the TSA officers. Under the bibliography, I have written a reflection and my thoughts on his article. I have completely agreed with Rich’s point of view that these machines are stressful and cancer-causing for passengers, so the TSA should ban the use of these machines. The European Union has banned the use of these full-body scanners as they make the airport experience threatful, anxiety and cancer causing for the passengers. Therefore, it should be banned in the United Nations also because the lives of American citizens also matter.

The New York Times Article, “Showdown at the airport body scanner” by  Nathaniel Rich

Rich, N. (2013, May 25). Showdown at the airport body scanner. The New York Times. Retrieved

from https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/25/showdown-at-the-airport-body-

scanner/

Nathaniel Rich the author of “Showdown at the Airport Body Scanner” writes his experience of security checking by TSA (Transportation Security Administration) at airports. TSA security always bothers him as it makes him feel threatened. Whenever he must pass through the airport body scanner, he thinks he is undergoing through a cancer machine instead. In this article, he explains his experience to be quite horrible as he tries to manage excuses and delays before getting through the cancer machine. However, he feels trapped sometimes by the TSA department because he is left with only two options either to get a sensual pat-down or to pass through the cancer machine. These machines are not only threatful in terms of cancer, but they also expose our naked pictures to agents. According to Rich, when he refused to pass through the cancer machine, the TSA officers took it personally and he yelled, “Male assist!” One time when Rich was getting late and he refused, he again faced a rude behavior. He was told by the TSA officer that if he misses his flight it would be his own fault and if he does not want to pass through the body scanner, he must come three hours earlier to the airport. In response to the TSA, Rich explains the officers that a report in 2011 by ProPublica and PBS News Hour concluded that the X-ray scanners can cause cancer to 6 to 100 airplane passengers traveling through the United States every year. Even after his protest, he did not get a positive response by TSA officers, but he feels proud of his self since he refused to pose like prisoners.

Reflection#1

The New York Times article, “Showdown at Airport Body Scanner” has pointed out some important problems that passengers suffer at airports. In Nathaniel Rich’s writing, he provides us with evidence of his personal experience, showing us why backscatter machines should be banned. These machines are highly dangerous in terms of health and ethics. These machines have been used for detecting bombs and weapons, so people assume these machines to be of great benefit. However, these people are not familiar with its drawbacks. These machines are completely against human rights because these cancer machines take our naked picture, which is then viewed by the TSA officers. Secondly, it also releases dangerous radiations that can cause cancer. Though these machines can have some serious advantages in preventing crime, their result also includes some negative side effects regarding health and ethics.

Some people might be familiar with the threats provoked by these cancer machines, they would still support the idea of their use. Such people should then be told that these machines are not only cancer-causing but also humiliating since these machines expose your naked body to TSA officers. This is a clear threat to civil rights and liberties. Upon refusal to pass through these machines the TSA officers come up with another humiliating experience for passengers. If somebody refuses to go through these machines, they are given an intimate pat-down, which is another form of civil disobedience.

Backscatter scanner has been helpful in saving thousands of lives but has also resulted in the death of passengers through cancer. Most of the European countries have banned this machine and have started to use alternative security methods, therefore the United States government should also protect human life and liberty.

Bibliography#2

Abstract:

For writing this bibliography, I have used an article from the New York Times by Matthew L. Wald, who is a communication advisor and works at the Nuclear Energy Institute. His article is about a cancer-causing machine used at airports by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for Security purposes. In my bibliography, I have written Wald’s view on these cancer-causing machines famously known as backscatter X-ray scanners. In the article, Wald emphasizes that backscatter scanners release a small dose of cancer-causing radiations, which does not harm passenger very much and these machines have been useful in saving millions of lives of passengers as they detect bombs and weapons at airports. Though it all might be true and backed with evidence, it does a poor job in explaining that these machines do not cause cancer. Even if the risk is little, it does not mean there is no risk. These machines may save lives but have resulted in the loss of a few other lives; therefore, the backscatter scanners should be banned in the United States.

 

The New York Times Article, “Cancer Risks Debated for Type of X-Ray Scan” by Matthew L. Wald

Wald, M. L. (2010, January 09). Cancer risks debated for type of x-ray scan. Retrieved from

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/health/09scanner.html\

Airport backscatter X-ray has always been a controversial issue since the discovery of its cancer-causing radiation release and naked picture taking. If passengers refuse to go through these machines, they are given an intimate pat-down. Though X-ray scans are quite humiliating and dangerous still TSA defends the backscatter machine. In excuse, TSA emphasizes that these machines have been extremely useful in saving thousands of lives because these machines detect bombs and weapons. According to Wald, these machines deliver a small dose of radiation in comparison to dental X-rays and thus are less dangerous. Though from the above statement we get the idea that these rays are less risky, but it fails to prove that it does not cause cancer. As countries started to get aware of the dangers caused by these machines, they started to ban it. Recently, Amsterdam banned the use of the backscatter machine and started to use another machine instead that used millimeter waves. These waves do not have the same risk, but the images taken from this machine are not clear and appear blur. This machine makes the job of airport security administration harder and the results are not satisfying. On December 25th, 2010 an Amsterdam plane was bombed since the security officers were unable to detect the bomb because they were using millimeter wave machine. Backscatter X-ray machines are helpful in saving thousands of lives, in return, it requires the sacrifice of a few other lives. Cancer is the number one cause of death in the United States and thus the risk is increased with these machines. Many people will argue that a backscatter machine does less harm and more good, so we should allow TSA to use these machines. Such people should be then told that each life matters. There must be another alternative better than cancer machines, therefore the government should take strict actions against its use and provide humanity a safe and non-humiliating environment.

Reflection#2

Reading the NY Times articles on “backscatter scanning” was a quite surprising experience. Though there have been studies around the world regarding the backscatter machine to be dangerous as it spreads cancer-causing radiations. Still, TSA supports the idea of using this cancer machine by using an excuse that it does more good than bad. However, this is an immoral behavior towards an issue since choosing an option like this leads to human death through cancer. Moreover, the government spends billions of dollars every year on these machines that could be used in research to find another alternative method, which would be safe to use.

Recently it was discovered that these machines can also save data. This suggests that these machines can have our naked pictures saved even when we leave the airport and there is no more need for these pictures. This is unfair and unjust use of technology, which takes away personal freedom by keeping our data. Such data is personal and can be used against anyone at any time, which makes airports even scarier. However, after the media was exposed to this information, the TSA declared that the machine does not save the data anymore.

Many countries have outlawed the use of backscatter machines as it is embarrassing and unsafe for travelers. Still, TSA has not removed these machines from their security system. Such machines spread a feeling of threat and anxiety among travelers. So, TSA should spend money on research to find an alternative machine that can do the same job without harming the passengers mental and physical health. Ultimately research can resolve this issue and make our society better in terms of health and ethics.