...Ethical Treatment of Animals Duane Aponte SOC120: Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility (GSG1207J) Dr. James Prentice 03/19/12 Throughout my life I have always been an animal lover. My main concerns have questioned the behavior of humans towards animals and why researchers choose to experiment on many different animals. I am extremely disgusted by these experiments and for their explanation as for the purpose of scientific research. I understand the objective and what may be the greater good for such experiments. But I do not understand why so many experiments are needed with very little justifications. In my paper I will discuss why experiments should not be taken lightly and will try to draw a conclusion on how we can as a society limit such cruelty towards animals during these experiments. I will also use different ethical theories to explain my point of view. My theories will include an Ethical Moral approach, Utilitarianism point of view, and Deontology point of views. Introduction The use of animals in research and education has involved ethical concern for many years, most particularly in toxicology and bio-medical studies. More recently, ethical concerns have been raised over less disturbing studies such as animal behavior research (Mench, 2000). My concern is before conducting behavioral research, the researcher should first evaluate whether the purpose of the experiment justifies the use of animals. If the purpose is found to be justified...
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...Ethical Treatment of Animals I. Introduction Animals have played an important role in many aspects of this world; some look upon these roles with favoritism, some with disgust. Animals give live birth and are considered different from humans by some people because of their behavior. Some animals are consumed as food by humans and other animals or trapped for their furs. Many times people get animals as pets and neglect them. Some animals are pulled out of their habitat and are used as research yet; some humans think they don't deserve any rights because they are animals. A. Thesis Statement Throughout this paper I will examples of possibilities that can be used to change the life of an animal in the food industry, as a pet and as research, we need to help them have a better life even if we are going to use them as food and pets. II. Body paragraph #1 - Topic Sentence #1 On today's factory farms, animals are crammed by the thousands into filthy, windowless sheds and confined to wire cages, gestation crates, barren dirt lots, and other cruel confinement systems. A. Supporting Evidence PETA made a investigation at Agriprocessors in 2004 revealed almost 300 instances of inhumane slaughter, in which cows' sensitive faces were shocked with electric prods, fully conscious cattle had their tracheas and esophagi ripped from their throats with meat hooks or knives, and they writhed in pools of their own blood, trying desperately to stand up for up to three minutes as...
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...Modified Animals Donna K. Lane BIO1000 Dr. Straub Capella University September, 2014 The majority of genetically modified animals are used in research to explore changes in Phenotype when specific genes are altered. Genetically engineered animals will improve human health through production of replacement proteins, drugs, vaccines, research models and tissues for the treatment and prevention of human disease. Genetic modification can produce animals that are susceptible to certain compounds or stresses for testing in biomedical research (Edge, A.S. 1998). Some genetically modified animals are used as models of human diseases and potential treatments and cures can first be tested on them. Other animals have been engineered with the purpose of potentially increasing their use in medicine and industry. Genetic engineering is a useful technology because it enables animals to produce useful proteins used in research. Conventional animals breeding is constrained to selection based on naturally-occurring variations in the proteins that are present in a species, and this limits the range and extent of genetic improvements that can be achieved (Wagner, J. 2001). When genetically modified animals are produced, they are produced for two distinct reasons: human medicine and agriculture. Most commercial transgenic animal research is in the field of human medicine. Many therapeutic proteins for the treatment of human diseases require animal-cell specific...
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...Taylor Darling-Miles May 30, 2012 Writing 122 Kristy Bryant-Berg Negative Effects of GMO’s The age of technology is upon us. In fact, the United States is so deeply entrenched in technology that our lives will be influenced and changed forever because of the technology revolution. Technological advancements come at us so quickly in the United States that we barely have time to absorb and understand the changes before the next changes are upon us. One of the most recent technological advancements is the development of GMO’s, or Genetically Modified Organisms. GMO’s are being used to develop our crops and everyday food, causing many consumers to worry about the effects of GMO’s on our health, environment, and our ecosystem. Questions are being raised as to whether GMO technologies have more negative or positive effects both now and in the future. The use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’S) in our crops is more detrimental than it is beneficial because GMO’s have possible negative environmental and health impacts and the consequences of using GMO’s is unknown and unpredicted. The benefits of using Genetically Modified Organism’s in our crops do not compare with the possible detrimental impacts on our environment and ecosystem, health, and the future of our planet. The use of GMO’s in food production is creating major environmental concerns both to the FDA and consumers. Unknown and unstudied chemicals that are being put into our environment with the GMO’s leave us uncertain...
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...The Ethical Treatment of Animals in America Arline Edmiston SOC 120: Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility Professor Susanne Elliott September 11, 2012 As with the majority of subjects that involve ethics, there is always more than just one point of view. It is not any different when it comes to the ethical treatment of animals. In fact, it has been the subject in which a few near war like situations have happened. For example, there are people who believe that any time an animal is killed even if that animal did not suffer they still see it as being wrong. Although, on the other hand there are people who relish in the ability to be able to eat meat and kill animals. However, the bottom line is that most people are somewhere in the middle over how they feel about what happens to the animals of the animal world that we share our world with. I will be going over some of these ideas and also be talking about some the groups associated with these ideas. The issue of animal rights is a very complex and touchy subject. There are both positive and negative sides to the animal rights issue. Both sides of which seem to have major contradictions to both themselves and to each other. Animal rights people have proposed that in the basic interest of the animals such things as avoidance of suffering should be given the same attention that it would be given to any human being. One such animal rights organization that believes this is PETA or People for the Ethical...
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...Is there ethical treatment for animals in captivity? The term “ethical” implies the moral basis of treatment towards animals while “captivity” denotes confinement or lack of freedom. The unmistakable contrast in these two words itself creates the argument whether ethical treatment is possible for animals in captivity. Humans had often been overly considerate about moral principles while dealing with its own kind. Whenever ethics were encroached upon, man stood up against it, questioned it and regained it. But unfortunately, lacking advanced communication like humans, animals are unable to. Human intervention in wildlife has bereaved animals of total control over their own lives. Man may reason out his intrusion, yet, the animals in captivity, being deprived of their natural habitats and having bred in man-made enclosures for generations, tend to misperceive their animality. It is indispensable to have an insight into what causes the bereavement of animals and how it is caused, before looking into its moral principles. Among the contrastive places that I came across in which animal captivity is proceeded, wildlife preservation zoos are the most popular, and least considered as a confinement of animal freedom. Thousands of people visit zoos daily but rarely give a thought to the miserable lives that animals have to spend stagnating and sleeping, due to the less spacious and artificial residences provided. Some present enclosures in zoos have been changed to natural barriers...
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...Ethical Treatment of Animals Amber Marie Keldie Soc120 Dr. Monica Jones. September 30th 2012 Ethical Issue Analysis for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Summary: Of all the agricultural land in the US, 87% is used to raise animals for food. These animals are fed more than 80 percent of the corn and 95 percent of the oats the US produces. Meat animals of the world alone consume food equal to caloric needs of 9 billion people- more than the entire human population on earth. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of meat, but only 25 gallons to produce a pound of wheat. A vegetarian food will make ten times as many humans happier than a non-vegetarian one, not counting the happiness gained by animals. Meat eating results in a lot of wastage of food that would otherwise have fed many more people. Ethical Issues Analysis I believe in the ethical treatment for all animals are an ethical obligation by all humans. We have come to an era that we believe that all humans should be treated equally and fairly. Well, what about our other living, breathing counterparts? They deserve to live their life as they choose in quality and in the pursuit of happiness. Just as Europeans came and took over Northern America's land and resources on the Indians. We have also taken over the land and resources from all of the animals. The moral point of view in the killing of animals for food as an indulgence which is not a necessity for our diet is killing another living being...
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...Ever since animals are manipulated for greedy people. Making revenues their priority and not the effect of their actions. Animals do not live solely for people’s entertainment and institutions similar to SeaWorld have taken orcas from their natural habitat and held them captive for “tricks”, endangering these creatures’ lives, therefore we should boycott these businesses that contributed to the unjust treatment of these animals. SeaWorld have held animals captive in small tanks for their own selfish reasons. Forcing orcas to entertain visitors for food. Even orcas with serious illnesses are to perform tricks in front of an audience. Animals held captive for a long time will create a serious effect on them. Displaying aggressiveness toward their trainers resulting to accidents....
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...Animal Rights Introduction Ethics and morality have consistently been topics of concern in our society. Concerns about ethics and morality also extend to matters associated with the treatment of animals. The purpose of this discussion is to summarize and critique several different theories associated with the ethical treatment of animals. The discussion will focus on the treatment of animals as it relates to hunting and trapping animals, eating animals, using animals for research, and the manner in which domestic and wild animals are treated. The research will summarize and critique several theories including anthropocentrism, Animal liberation, Strong Animal Rights Theory, Weak(er) animal rights theory, Two-factor egalitarianism, biocentric egalitarianism, ecocentric views. Anthropocentrism Anthropocentrism views human being as the center of the universe and regards the world from the point of view of human values and experiences (Dictionary). According to the western philosopher Immanuel Kant human beings alone are rational beings and as such have intrinsic moral worth. Kant asserts that human beings do not owe animals anything because they are not rational beings. However, he does assert that people should be kind to animals but only because kindness to animals assists in developing character in human beings. In other words kindness to animals should not take place for the sake of the animal but for the betterment of the human being. In addition to Kant...
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...The ethical implications of product testing and experimentation on animals have become a very controversial topic in recent years. Some companies choose to test their products on animals before putting them on the market for consumption by the general public. Other companies experiment on animals in hopes of learning new information that could improve the quality or longevity of human lives. Even though some companies have already changed their policies regarding experimentation on animals, there are still many well-known companies that choose to engage in this practise. Some of the most well-known companies that have not changed their policies regarding product testing on animals include Aveeno, Clorox, Head and Shoulders and Tide. These companies...
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...products and services at a competitive price while offering high quality customer service both on location and on the website. They believe that the business should operate on the ideal that pets come first and they strive to promote the well being of companion animals and foster the bond between humans and their pets (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2011). This mission is the main focus of the nearly 22,000 people who work for PETCO in their 950 nationwide locations. Although PETCO is one of the largest pet supply operations they still have serious competition. There are many retailers who offer pet supplies at a lower cost to the customer and this is a real risk to the operation of PETCO. They are in direct competition with Petsmart, Walmart, Target, and even local grocery stores for consumer business. For that reason PETCO finds it extremely important to focus on their mission and strives to stand out in the crowd. In a steadily growing market segment where people generally spend 41.5 billion dollars each year, PETCO must stay ahead of the competition or they are bound to fail. Stakeholders PETCO has many stakeholders to be concerned with including customers, employees, the activist groups, and most importantly the animals they provide the supplies and care for. It is imperative that PETCO makes sure they are providing the highest of quality products and services for the pets and their owners. Pets are like family members to most people and they expect that their...
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...account of the ethical issues associated with the use of animals in research (maximum 200 words or 2/3 if images of the correct injection sites are included pages) “Open the cages and we will know if they wish to participate”-Sapontzis. Public concern over animal rights has led to many ethical controversies when it comes to research using animals. Science today has definitely benefited from experimentation on animals, especially the likes of biomedical sciences. Research on animals has led to many innovations and a finer understanding of mechanisms behind human medicines which may have been synthesized or discovered accidently. But of course, there’s has been a huge controversy over ethical issues of using living beings for research purposes. "Speciesism”: morally and ethically wrong to treat other species harshly/callously or even just differently on the bases that they are not (in this case) Homo sapiens. Speciesism is the main factor of such ethical issue being raised. Concerned people think rights of animals should be considered and also their consent must be counted i.e. don’t experiment on them. Many critics worry about losing humanity due to this universal issue, they have a theory that working with animals that suffer continuously can deaden emotions of many researcher and so say that this could be a step away from being comfortable with human suffering, they believe an individual could be ‘mentally’ affected when working consistently with lab animals. Also, pain...
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...Stockyards Report Distributed July 24, 2013 Prepared for ENG 3903 Technical and Professional Writing Dr. Mark Spencer Southeastern Oklahoma State University ABSTRACT This report looks at the history of the livestock industry and examines how it has changed throughout the years. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, and other activist groups have continually tried to cast a negative shadow on the livestock industry; however, with groups such as Livestock Marketing Association, the livestock industry has flourished. The issue of horse slaughter has recently become a big issue for the livestock industry. INTRODUCTION The livestock industry has provided beef to the American public since cattle were introduced to our country in the early 1900’s. It is an indisputable fact that the human population requires enough protein to survive and maintain good health. The livestock industry has come a long way in the last century. It has survived droughts, depressions, recessions, fluctuating economies, as well as pressure and criticism from several organizations, such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), HSUS (Humane Society of the United States), the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and other activist groups. History of Selling Cattle In the beginning, before there were stockyards, cattle were herded to their meat-packing destinations by cowboys riding horseback. After the cattle arrived at the...
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...How We Treat the Animals We Eat Angela M Groves DeVry University How We Treat the Animals We Eat Are the factory farms we buy our meat from treating animals humanely? Animal mistreatment is illegal and we can make a difference to put a stop to it. According to Ethical Farms “Some of the largest US factory farms refuse to uphold humane USDA and OSHA standards, having unsanitary, unhealthy conditions and animal rights violations. In 1958, the US government composed the Humane Slaughter Act that is not enforced” (Ethical Farms, 2010). There are 7 statutes in effect that comprise the Humane Slaughter Act. Included in these sections are Congress' statement that livestock must be slaughtered in a humane manner to prevent needless suffering, research methods on humane methods of slaughter, the non-applicability of these statutes to religious or ritual slaughter, and the investigation into the care of non-ambulatory livestock. There are farms that follow the Humane Slaughter Act in raising their livestock that we can purchase our food from, like Humane Farms for example. By aligning our consumerism with Restaurants and grocery store chains that purchase from humane farms we can make an impact. Also, supporting an Animal Rights group like The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(ASPCA) or The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) can make a big difference. You can support them either monetarily or by volunteering your time in your local area. In...
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...Genetically Modified Animals SCI 115 Professor Li November 29, 2014 Biological Basis: A genetically engineered animal is an animal that carries a known sequence of DNA fragments that have been joined together in a laboratory. This process involves removing genes from the DNA of one species and inserting it into the genes of an unrelated animal. “The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans.” Retrieved November 27, 2014 from, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education. Transgenic refers to those specific genetic engineering processes that remove genetic material from one species of animal and add it to a different species. Due to the high similarity in genetic sequences for proteins among species, transgenic organisms are able to effectively assimilate and express these trans-genes. These genetically engineered animals are also known as “transgenic” animals. This process may be called Genetic Engineering or Genetic Modification; they are one in the same. Genetic engineering enables animals to produce useful proteins and are being produced to assist with human medicine such as biopharmaceutical products. Some of these include, antibodies that can be used for the treatment of infections, cancer, organ transplant rejections, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Gene technology has only been possible since the 1960’s due to the greater understanding of DNA and how it functions following the discovery...
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