...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...
Words: 2951 - Pages: 12
...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...
Words: 2181 - Pages: 9
...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...
Words: 6302 - Pages: 26
...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...
Words: 784 - Pages: 4
...the feelings of others by their behaviors and the fact that animals express their feelings in ways similar to those of humans, we can sympathize with animals when they are experiencing pain (or pleasure). Further, given that humans and animals both strive to avoid pain, we feel disapprobation towards those who are malicious (those who inflict or condone the infliction of pain and suffering on animals), we deem their motives and character to be vicious, and consider them morally blameworthy. From a Humean point of view then, it is morally wrong to inflict unnecessary pain and suffering on any animal. It is arguable that because of our relationship with the unexploited (cats and dogs) we can sympathize with them in ways that we cannot sympathize with the exploited (cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys). However, it does not follow from this that we cannot sympathize at all with the exploited. As stated above, Hume claims that we do sympathize to a greater degree with those close to us than we do with those that are further removed, but the fact remains that we can and do sympathize with those that are further removed from us. Given this, and the fact that the only relevant differences between our relationship with dogs and cats and our relationship with cows, chickens, pigs and turkeys are those of degree of contiguity, resemblance and causality, we still sympathize with the exploited and deem poor treatment of them to be immoral. That is, in these ways, there is only...
Words: 277 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 1565 - Pages: 7
...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...
Words: 864 - Pages: 4
...Part IV Katie Schulz Mrs. Polski Modern Problems May 2, 2013 Introduction~ Animal experimentation began in the early 3rd and 4th centuries BCE with the Greeks performing the first experiments on living animals. Ever since these early periods there has been a search to answer the question of whether animal testing is ethical. This question is proposed due to the suffering of animals during medical experimentation. Veterinarian, Peter M. Henrickson, found this to be the case in his experience during a veterinary class. The research began on Rodney a shepherd mix. “The first thing we did was neuter him, a seemingly benign project, except it took us an hour to complete the usual 20-minute procedure, and an anesthetic overdose kept him out for 36 hours. Afterward, he recovered his strength quickly and felt good” (Henrickson, Par. 4). They then proceeded to do an abdominal exploratory, opening his abdomen and then closing him again. “This was the first major surgery for any of us, and, with inadequate supervision, we did not close him properly. By the next morning, his incision had opened and he was sitting on his small intestine. Hastily, we sewed him up again, and he survived. But it was a week or more before he could resume walks he had come to eagerly anticipate” (Henrickson, Par. 6). After Rodney’s slow recovery they once again put him under anesthesia. “We broke his leg and repaired it with a steel pin. After this, Rodney seemed in almost constant pain, his temperature...
Words: 5691 - Pages: 23
...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...
Words: 1659 - Pages: 7
... Background of the Ethical Issue Recently KFC faced accusation from non government organizations like PETA and Greenpeace regarding unethical practices from KFC’s supply chain such as Pilgrim’s Pride and Cargill. KFC was accused of ill-treatment towards its chicken by PETA and Greenpeace blamed KFC for its role in the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. This case study discusses these ethical issues in detail and concludes with suggestions and recommendations from the case study team, on how similar issues could be avoided or tackled. PETA Perspective Every year more than 1 billion chickens are killed from the chicken farms, meant for KFC. The improper breeding of birds combined with improper working conditions of workers and lack of ethically efficient operation processes led to improper practices in KFC’s supplier’s poultry farms. As a result KFC was accused of animal abuse by PETA, on the supplier’s farm. The People for Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal right protection organisation, accused KFC for its unethical treatment (behaviour) towards the chicken in KFC’s supplier factory farms. Pilgrim’s Pride (PP) is one of KFC’s award-winning supply operations and the second largest processor of chickens in the United States. PETA’s investigations in Pilgrim’s Pride poultry farm brought to light the inappropriate practices that prevailed in KFC’s supplier operations. PETA released a shocking video that clearly depicted the ill-treatment of chickens and the unhygienic...
Words: 1530 - Pages: 7
...The use of non-human animals in controlled variable experiments that affect the behaviour or biological systems of such animals is the very definition of animal testing. Animal testing has always been a controversial subject: be it within the bounds of medicinal advancement, cosmetic research, or even in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Many animal rights advocates and societies, such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and BUAV (British Union for the Abolishment of Vivisection) questions the need for animal testing. The basis of their arguments consists of concerns over the regulation of these tests, the cruelty of such tests non-withstanding (PETA, 2017). They also question the legitimacy of animal testing, arguing that...
Words: 917 - Pages: 4
...Position Paper – The Pros and Cons of Animal Experimentation The Pros and Cons of Animal Experimentation Animal research has had a major role in many scientific and medical advances. It has both its advantages and disadvantages. “Moreover,” animal experimentation is an extremely controversial subject that has divided people into a group that either support animal testing or oppose it all together, and another that advocates the use of alternatives. There are many pros and cons when it comes to this subject. People all over the world have different opinions on weather animal lab testing is humane and necessary. Animal experimentation is unethical due to the practice of animal torture and suffering, animal choice and death of these animals. Animal experimentation (noun): any type of experiment performed on living animals, especially in order to test the effects of chemical compounds such as new drugs, cosmetics, food additives and pesticides (Animal experimentation, 2001). All over the world, people think differently on whether animal experimentation is an appropriate way to test medicines and products. Each year in the United States, an estimated 70 million animals are maimed, blinded, scalded, force-fed chemicals, genetically manipulated, and otherwise hurt and killed in the name of science, by private institutions, household product and cosmetics companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and scientific centers. Substances we use every day, such...
Words: 1471 - Pages: 6
...Humans have used animals for different uses. They have been used for food, clothing farm work and a variety of other uses. So using them to test new medical advances is different. Animal testing for medical purpose help saves lives and future generations. Animal testing should be continued for the use within the medical field. The ancient Greeks believed that animals were created by the gods to be used however people wish. The Bible says God gave man dominions “over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping things that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 9:1-3). The ancient Greeks and Romans influenced the laws of western civilization. The western civilization had no laws saying what you could not do to an animal no matter how cruel or unnecessary the act was (Thorburn). To some people animals have no rights at all while to others animals have rights and should not fell unnecessary pain and suffering. The people who believe animals have no rights; and use them just for their benefits but there is a line that should not be crossed animals do have feelings and some rights. The new movement of animal right groups has some good points like human like primates should not be used in testing like chimpanzees. The first law put in place by western civilizations was in the Massachusetts Bay colony. The law states that it is illegal to exercise any tyranny or cruelty towards any animal which are kept for use by humans...
Words: 1491 - Pages: 6
...to identify the different arguments made in regards to the use of animals in behavioral and biomedical research and the benefits of facilitating classroom room discussions amongst psychology students concerning this controversial topic. 2. Introduction Herzog H.A, (1990) believed that since the publishing of Singer’s book, Animal Liberations, in 1975, public concern over the ethical treatment of animals has significantly risen (p. 90). According to Rollin (1981, as cited by Harold, 1990) experimental psychology was “the field most consistently guilty of mindless activities that results in great suffering.” This debate has caused psychology students to question the use of animals in behavioral research. According to this article there are three reasons why discussing animal rights is crucial to psychology students. First, students should be conscious of political and social concerns associated with psychology that could have an effect on their lives. Second, animal rights issues raise questions related to psychology such as, “can animals think?” or “What are the essential differences between humans and animals?” Third, the use of animals in laboratory courses has received lots of censure (p. 90). To facilitate students to think about these issues, the author has designed a classroom exercise that has students making decisions about whether or not a series of theoretical proposals, pertaining to animal research, should be carried out (p. 91). 3. Methodology Psychology...
Words: 802 - Pages: 4
...Exploitation of Animals: Rats and human ethics In the field of science and technology, the last decade has proven to be the most successful time period. Advancements in the field of science, such as Genetic engineering, has made human life easier. But, the critics in this field has raised many questions regarding ethical, environmental, economical, and social dilemmas. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of animals used for technological research, and many animal extremists around the world are blaming scientists for breaking ethical codes. Rats and mice are being used for formulating new cancer drugs by scientists only for the benefit of human beings. Rats, along with mice and rodents, make up more than ninety percent of the animals used in research. There are number of questions raised by animal extremists, such as for what purpose these animals are being exploited? Should we consider the question of ethics and morality while these animals are mistreated for Humans selfish purpose? How should the attitude and practice toward the animal change? An online journal, The Conversation included in its article “Animals in Research: Rats,” such animals were used because humans and rats both are mammal, they have similar structure and functions regarding their body. That is one of the specific reason for why rats are used in medicinal research. Even though this research will benefit human health, using rats in the research will breach the ethical code. Hal Herzog...
Words: 1949 - Pages: 8
