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Genecia Tyler
Professor Dursema
English 1010
2 May 2014
The Dawn of De-Extinction
Author Carl Zimmer shows the debate between restoring the life and death between
extinct animals in the article, Bringing Them Back to Life. This article focuses on the concept
of de-extinction. The idea of plausible de-extinction has become polemic. Zimmer states The
notion of bringing vanished species back to lifesome call it de-extinctionhas hovered at the
boundary between reality and science fiction for more than two decades, ever since novelist
Michael Crichton unleashed the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park on the world. The controversy over
de-extinction went from concept to imaginable reality. Zimmer goes into political and ethical
questions about de-extinction. He points out if we brought back a species, would it be a
scientifically engineered replica or the real deal. Also, how would these species adapt to Earth
now, and can they find a place to call home? He focuses on what scientists have done, and what
are willing to do to bring back a species. Zimmer used logos, ethos, and pathos to base his
statement towards the revival of an extinct species. Each appeal is effective in his writing. He
used Aristotles persuasion strategies as a way to obtain acceptance. Zimmers technique
approach is praiseworthy enough to make his writing realistic. Therefore, he used logos, ethos,
and pathos to his advantage to gain credibility along with favorable reception.
Zimmer covered all bases by using prominent scientists to establish the core of the issue.
Those who favor de-extinction believe it will be beneficial for the ecosystem. Zimmer used the
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logos appeal to provide logical evidence to incorporate the pros and cons of de-extinction. He
mentions, Most pharmaceutical drugs, for example, were not invented from scratchthey were
derived from natural compounds found in wild plant species, which are also vulnerable to
extinction. Zimmer used his knowledge as an analogy towards the extinct animals. He
concludes that Mammoths and numerous herbivores maintained the grassland by breaking up
soil and fertilizing it with their manure. The purpose of the analogy is to clarify the structure of
the explanation comparing the similarities.
He also employs study findings to further support his claim. Gathering information from
both aspects gives him the opportunity to strive for a better understanding. Zimmer mentions that
scientists have improved their success with cloning animals; stating they developed a way to
induce adult animals cells to return back to the embryo-like state. Zimmer used the logos appeal
to provide his audience with a new theory that might help generate the existence of an extinct
species. This rhetorical approach demonstrates the logical soundness of the argument. With a
logical viewpoint, the data and information collected provides much substantiation to the text. It
also gives the author credibility and a sense of comprehension.
Zimmers use of study findings is strong enough to provide the audience with the
awareness of the situation. Carl Zimmer is a prominent source when it comes to science. Zimmer
reports from the frontiers of biology, where scientists are expanding our understanding of life.
His emphasis on the study of evolution and parasites has gained him credibility in the science
world. Zimmer shows integrity in all his writings. This article is well written with crucial facts
and a clear dialogue. The main debate is whether or not we should involve with de-extinction.
The effectiveness of the text is portrayed in a formal analysis. The authors take on de-extinction
is implied and both sides of the debate are expressed thoroughly.
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The authors use of ethos follows up on ethics and revelation. Zimmers approach to this
appeal may be the greatest strength to his debate. He includes the voices of scientists, in a broad
sense, those who acquire knowledge about de-extinction. These scientists are passionate about
what they do and have been working hard to advance their research. They believe that bringing
back animals that were killed off due to human impact would potentially help to right historical
wrong. Zimmer met with Alberto Fernandez-Arias, a wildlife veterinarian, who worked to bring
back a bucardo from extinction using cloning methodology. In 2003, Fernandez-Arias and his
team succeeded to bring back the first cloned animal, unfortunately only survived 10 minutes
and died of respiratory failure. Zimmer linked with Fernandez-Arias and fellow scientists to
discuss the possibility of de-extinction. Based on the observation, Zimmer reckons de-extinction
is now within reach. Zimmer established a sense of ethos by concluding what might be fantasy to
near reality. With credible information and sources, Zimmer masters the ethos and logos appeal
to his advantage. Zimmers choice of sources are trustworthy and reliable. His extrinsic approach
to ethos is strong enough to provide credibility and authority to his text.
Knowingly, he focuses his main attention towards the arrival of de-extinction. Stating
facts with ethical questions, and merging his thoughts with possible assumptions. He provides
the reader with vivid language that creates a vision with words. Carl Zimmer understands the
nuances of style. His understandings of de-extinction are implicit in this article and conveyed
imaginatively to the reader. He wants his audience to grasp the concept of de-extinction and
contemplate of what might be the new beginning to all. Zimmers use of pathos is significant in
his writing. He creates the debate in a balanced manner. His audience can ask themselves, is de-
extinction morally justifiable? Zimmer states, And especially in recent years we humans were
the ones who wiped them out, by hunting them, destroying their habitats, or spreading diseases.
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This suggests another reason for bringing them back. If humans were the ones to make them
extinct, are we playing God to bring them back? Zimmers choice approach can be determined
by his audiences humanity and morality. The reasoning to this tactic is to appeal to the
audiences sense of identity and emotions. His readers can evaluate his statement as a way to
gain clarity.
Zimmers audience is in a broad range, those who are interested in the concept of de-
extinction or those who reject the idea. Either or, the main purpose of this article is raise the
awareness of de-extinction and the reality. Zimmer use of pathos is credible to his audiences
imagination. Zimmer takes his readers on a journey through time, where he first introduces the
bucardo. The rhetorical vision that he uses to convey his readers is creditable to the text. It
fosters the meanings, emotions, values, and motives for de-extinction. The use of rhetorical
vision or wording eases the readers understandings, and contrasts the alternatives. It adds depth
to Zimmers main objective, which is educate the reader of the realism of de-extinction.
Zimmer effectively establishes and defines his statement through logos, ethos, and
pathos. He shares his own thoughts while asking ethical questions. To further support his claims,
he gathers information from credible sources. With these sources and his knowledge, he
established a meaningful argument that questions the morality of the debate. He used Aristotles
appeals to encourage his audience to dwell on the reality of de-extinction. To consider what
might be fantasy now, can possibly be the dawn of de-extinction.



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Works Cited
Zimmer, Carl. Bringing Them Back to Life. ngm.nationalgeographic.com. National
Geographic Society, Apr. 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2014