Writing For Sciences Portfolio

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Rhetorical Analysis Paper

Is the use of animals in biomedical research still necessary? Unfortunately “yes”, by Michael Festing, is ideal for rhetorical analysis. He tackles this controversial topic because of a study conducted by Greek, C.R & Greek, J.S, which they claim animal testing for humans is going against the basis of biology. However, Festing thinks otherwise, he states they are thinking narrowly, and ignoring all evidences that go against their belief. In his stance, he is using previous studies that prove his point which show that without the use of animals, it would be futile to maintain human health. The rhetorical choices Festing makes are appropriate to the style of a scientific paper because he uses more logos and ethos. By using these rhetorical appeals, he is able to make a strong argument using past discoveries and research.

The Greek and Greek paper was intended for con(what’s con animal?) animal testing audiences, their research was filled with bias reasonings and findings. Festing, in his piece targets the same audience and many more. Especially to the readers who have read the Greek & Greek’s paper, because he emphasizes the importance of knowing the other side of the argument. For example, one point the Greeks make is, a biological model of one species is impossible to be used for another species because the response is “species-specific”. This means, when research is being conducted the results will differ from one another depending on the species. Festing refutes this claim using statements written by a credible source such as American philosopher Mark Watofsky. By using his words, Festing is able to persuade the reader into believing his argument. For instance, after Watofsky’s statement he writes, “This statement is of critical importance.” (Festing). Thus, getting the reader’s attention to what he has to say which is, although there are countless differences between two models, if there is one similar characteristic it is valid for testing.

Furthermore, biomedical scientists and students are also his intended audience because they need to understand an immense amount of information discovered about the human biology from animal research. For this, he uses past examples of research that became great assets to the human race, such as the creation of Insulin, rabies vaccine, chemotherapy of syphilis, and penicillin. For each of these findings, he dedicates a separate section, he wants to teach scientists and students how it came about and how animals were vital resources for these discoveries. Specifically, the development and assay of insulin, and he highlights the use of rabbits for this experiment. He begins by stating how scientist J.B Collins discovers using insulin on rabbits will lower the blood glucose level in the same way as if it was used on humans. From focusing on the use of rabbits, Festing was successful in making the need of animals in dangerous experiments important to the reader. As for the rabies vaccine, he includes a story of Pasture who developed an anti-rabies vaccine using dogs to treat other dogs. This introduces a new perspective to the reader, by changing the focus on humans to animals, he was able to make the study more diverse. After framing his hook, Festing goes back to humans by explaining the use of the vaccine on a child who was bitten by a dog infected by rabies. He then concludes stating, “His vaccine continued to be used until after World War II…” (Festing). Thus, making the reader realize the longevity of the vaccine which first began in 1880.

Thinking outside the box, Festing moves to present day and directs his readers attention to a issue that is prevalent today, Obesity. Beginning with how serious this problem is in US and UK, he is capable of connecting to the reader personally. He demonstrates a experiment conducted by in late 1940 of an obese mouse, and explains the mouses conditions. The conflict with the mouse was, although it was consuming the same amount of food as his peers, he was gaining more weight compared to them. Therefore, scientists began searching for the cause of this phenomenon, and they discovered that the mutant was “leptin” deficient. Accordingly, after they inject leptin into to mice it went back to normal because it controlled the mice’s appetite. As expected, Festing then interprets the detection of leptin deficiency on humans, which in a large scale means a big step towards a developing treatments for human obesity.

In Festings paper, the use of logos and ethos is prominent. By using logic and credibility  to persuade the audience, he was easily able to communicate his point to the reader. First he uses the study written by Greek and Greek, in order to get the reader to see his purpose for writing this study. Secondly, he uses dependable source such as Marx Wartofsky to contradict Greeks claims. Then, he shifts to previous researches that back his position. Finally, ends his paper by discussing about the future medical treatments that can help serious diseases, and illness. For further research, he should dive into studies conducted in the 20th century and articulate the importance of animal testing.

Work Cited

Festing , Michael. “Is the Use of Animals in Biomedical Research Still Necessary? Unfortunately ‘Yes.’” Ari.info, 2004, www.animalresearch.info/en/medical-advances/articles-lectures/the-use-of-animals-biomedical-research-still-necessary-unfor.

Planning:

Author’s Main Idea/Thesis

Main Idea- To prove that using animals for biomedical research is necessary using evidence and examples from previous discoveries and experiments.

Thesis- The Siren song of Ray and Jean Greek campaign was to stop the use of animals in research, is captivating and coherent to pro-animal life audience. However, their claims are false because it’s simply impossible, without the use of animals it would be futile to mantin human health.

Why the Author Does It

Answer – The author chose this thesis because it was the truth and the people saying otherwise was false and the evidence they were using was invalid. Also they were misunderstanding the concept of evolution.

What is the author’s purpose? To persuade, inform, Criticize?

Answer – The purpose was to inform and criticize. He was criticizing those who believed animals were not needed for research. And he was informing to the same audience and others that animals are needed and play a vital role in our well being.

Why does the author choose this purpose? What effect does it create?

Answer – The reason why the author choose this purpose was to scientifically prove that this issue of using animals for research is essentially inevitable. The effect that is creates is the same for why he chose the purpose

Who is the author’s intended audience?

Answer – the author’s intended audience are pro/con animal testing groups, biomedical scientist/researchers, students, people who read the Greek & Greek paper.

Is there a reason the author chose to write for this particular audience?

Answer – pro/con animal testing groups because they need to see and understand why animal testing is important. To learn more about what you believe and/ or to learn about the other side of the argument. To build more ideas and arguments. Biomedical Scientist/ Researchers who are curious to see if animals are truly needed or not. To build more knowledge about their field of work and what people think about it. Students who are interested in pursuing biomedical occupation, whether it’s right for them or not. Also students who are writing a paper, preparing a presentation.Debate about this controversial topic.The people who read the Greek & Greek paper, because they need to see the false claims made by them. In addition a new perspective towards their claim even if its incorrect.

How did the writer arrange his or her ideas? Chronologically?

Answer – The writer arranged his or her ideas in a lab report method. However, there are some differences.