CLONING - A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Amanda Wacker
Stark
ENC 2135
October 12th, 2016
Cloning as a Reproductive Option and Possible Repercussions - A Rhetorical Analysis
Introduction
Rhetoric is art of communicating in an effective way to an audience in order to persuade
the audience to act or think in the way the orator wants the audience to act or think. This paper
will analyze the various methods rhetors use these appeals to bring their audience to the
conclusion they want them to believe. The artifacts analyzed pertain to the possibility of using
cloning as a reproductive option.
In 1996, the first cloned sheep, Dolly, was born. Since then, scientists have been making
progress in the field of cloning, especially cloning mammals. The applications of these cloning
processes were able to be applied to various situations and uses. Most of the medical research in
cloning outside of the United States pertained to life saving advantages, such as cloning organs
for transplant or bone marrow that would not be rejected by the recipients.
The process of cloning for reproduction purposes involves a technique called somatic cell
nuclear transfer. A somatic cell from any part of the donors body is taken, extract the cells
nucleus which contains the donors DNA, and discard the rest of the cell. The DNA of an egg is
removed and replaced with the DNA of the donor. The reconstructed egg is then treated with
chemicals or shocked with electricity to stimulate cell division.
Human Reproductive Cloning: A Conflict of Liberties

CLONING - A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

The first artifact is a peer-reviewed publication entitled Human Reproductive Cloning:

A Conflict of Liberties in a scientific journal, Bioethics. The article was written by Joyce C.
Havstad, who received her Ph.D in philosophy at the University of California San Diego and is
currently an Assistant Professor at Oakland University in Michigan and published six articles
concerning various topics of philosophy in biological practices. In this particular article, Havstad
is advocating for the consideration and creation of some type of public policy restrictions on
human reproductive cloning in order to protect the liberties of both parents and children. Havstad
identifies what she believes to be the threat of psychological harms to cloned individuals,
specifically if the cloned children were forced to replicate personalities and lives of those they
were cloned from. She claims this violates their right to self determination.
The logos of Havstads argument is built by first citing a definition of what
self-determination is, why it is important, as well as an except from a cited essay that also
describes this right of self-determination (p. 2) . She then gives an example of what an extreme
violation of this right would look like. She does this to bring the audience to a clear
understanding of the topic she is advocating for. She explicitly states, Proponents of human
reproductive cloning do not dispute that its practice may lead to violations of the right to
self-determination. and They [researchers] acknowledge that these violations could cause
psychological harm [to the cloned children] (p. 2). With a clear understanding, the audience is
better informed to consider the arguments of the author. The author also addresses possible
refutations others have used to justified the dismission of this right, and by refuting this
oppositions she addresses any possible holes in her argument.

CLONING - A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Havstad builds pathos by using wording with strong connotations, or situations an

average person with emotions could sympathize with. She gives examples of reasons people
might want to reproduce using some type of cloning techniques that include a spouse passing
away before the couple had any children, or same-sex couples wishing to procreate without the
nuclear DNA of an independent third party. In both situations, the author gives the audience a
theoretical situation any person might be able to sympathize and empathize with. This build up
of emotions help the author make the audience concerned about possible violations of liberties.
The strength of her words also leave the reader with a sense of duty. The author shuts down
opposition using strong wording like neither tactic succeeds in removing our moral
responsibility to consider and to prevent psychological harms to cloned individuals. In fact, the
same commitment to autonomy that motivates defense. By showing the audience that they have
a moral responsibility and a motive to defend, the author creates a sense of duty the audience
should feel needs them to act.
Ethos is assumed in this situation because of Havstads educational and professional
background. Havstad has a high degree of education in a field related to topics and concerns
discussed in the article. Havstads article was published by a journal, showing that this was
peer-reviewed and approved, further building her credibility. The combination of these facts
make the audience included to trust and believe what Havstad is presenting because if she is
highly educated and the publication was peer-reviewed, there must be a high level of thought and
consideration in her arguments.

TIME Magazine Cover

CLONING - A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

The second artifact is a TIME Magazine cover distributed in America in February of

2001. Time Magazine has been in circulation since 1923 and is currently distributed around the
world.
The cover depicts a close up of two identical caucasian babies facing each other head on
with the text Human Cloning is Closer Than You Think, placed in between them at their eye
level. Below them there is a block of text saying, For couples who cant have a child - or for
those who have lost one - the unthinkable may soon be possible. Here are the perils.
The context of this publication came soon after strides were being made in cloning
research. In 2001, five piglets were successfully cloned by a company who wanted to reproduce
organs that could be later transplanted into humans who needed them. With these advancements
being made, there were concerns regarding human cloning possibilities, which according to
TIME Magazine is closer than you think. So close in fact, that you could staring straight at the
problem just centimeters from your face.
The placement of the text and the use of coloration of the text aid the speaker in moving
the audience to think about cloning how the speaker intends. The text is placed in the dead center
of the image, in line with the eyes of the babies, to make sure the reader reads that text firs,
which reads in all capital letters, HUMAN CLONING IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. The
color yellow is used to emphasize the words Cloning, and Think and well as the phrase
under the baby heads that read, These are the perils. The speakers intentions are to create the
sense in the the audience minds that when you hear or see cloning to then think of the perils.
A similar technique is used in rhetorical situations such as the Smokey The Bear campaigns in

CLONING - A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

which the image tells the reader to Remember: only you can prevent forest fires, resulting in
the audience remembering the phrase only you can prevent forest fires.
Genre Analysis
The article written by Havstad is successful in building an in depth argument. The genre
of scholarly-publications in a journal does have restrictions in this case. The primary audience
for this article is highly educated individuals with biomedical and psychological concerns
regarding cloning. Havstad does use appropriate conventions for the discourse community and
genre, but if she is advocating for a cause, the article would need to reach a larger audience to
see widespread support, which is her goal (p. 7).
The advantage of the Time Magazine cover image being used a rhetoric is that it reaches
a wide audience. TIME has over 16 million subscribers, but you dont have to be a subscriber to
consume their media. TIME magazine covers can be seen in passing at grocery stores, on doctor
office tables and sidewalk stands. This opens their audience from just subscribers, to anyone
passing by of any age or background. With this in mind, TIME magazine uses plain language
anyone can understand and eye catching designs to bring in readers. Another advantage of using
an image to present rhetoric is that since the presentation of rhetoric is short, the author does not
need the audiences attention for long to get his point across. On the other hand, a major
disadvantage of this is that the argument is not heavily based in logos. The TIME magazine
could arguably considered propaganda. Propaganda is information that is biased, used to promote
a particular viewpoint or cause. This image does have a bias and is used to promote a particular
viewpoint, in this case, that human cloning has its perils.

CLONING - A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

The article is more effective at satisfying conventions of rhetorical pieces. The image
does deliver on some rhetorical appeals, the argument is not as sound as the article due to
limitations of presentation. With stronger logical appeals the image could be more successful in
delivering rhetoric.

References
Havstad, J. C. (n.d.). Joyce C. Havstad. Retrieved October 09, 2016, from
http://www.joycehavstad.com/
Havstad, J. C. (2010). Human Reproductive Cloning: A Conflict Of Liberties. Bioethics, 24(2),
71-77. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8519.2008.00692.x
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2016, from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/somatic_cell_nuclear_transfer.html
TIME Media Kit Print Audience. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2016, from
http://www.timemediakit.com/audience/