Animal Rights and Experimentation
Animal rights are being constantly violated in this day and age. They are being subjected to endless experimentation in order to ensure a healthy life for humans. This is known as vivisection. The local industries use tests, which kill around 50% of the animals during the tests. It is sad to know that tests are still being conducted on animals in spite of having results. Experts have found out that animal testing is unnecessary.

According to PETA, the FDA is to blame for animal rights violation in the U.S. They have made animal testing mandatory for testing of all pharmaceutical drugs. There are no laws to prevent animal experimentation. There are a lot of loopholes in the Animal Welfare Act, as it does not protect the rights of mice, birds and rats. The research facilities have been given a carte blanche to carry out their merciless testing. They…...

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Bibliography

1. Brecher, M.D., Arie, speech given at a conference of the International Congress of Doctors Against Vivisection, Italian Parliament, November 8, 1989

2. The Independent, 18 November 2001, Millions of animals condemned to death in EU ruling on testing

3. The Earth Island Journal, January 1997

4. Lab animals die from heat', Billings Gazette13 February 2004,

.. it's healthy, it's somebody's way of life, it's somebody's livelihood, it's somebody's business.(ibid)
This is a strongly worded statement and indictment of an uncaring humanity. However, bearing in mind the daily evidence of cruelty to animals one cannot but feel that there is an element of truth to this argument.

Commercial reasons for abuse

One of the central reasons or "justifications" for animal abuse and possibly why so many turn a blind eye to animal cruelty, is commerce and the profit motive.

The plain fact is that this country and other industrial countries are deeply dependent on animal exploitation to sustain their present economic structures. The plain fact is that we are more dependent on animal exploitation than were the states of the southern United States on human slavery. (Francione, G.)

Animals are essentially seen as property. While there are many laws designed to protect these animals these laws are also prejudiced towards the…...

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Bibliography

Animals in Research. Retrieved December 20, 2004 from The Human Society of the United States. Web site:   www.unitedcrueltyofbenetton.com/introduction.aspx"http://www.hsus.org/animals_in_research/index.html 

ANIMAL RIGHTS FAQ FILE.Retrieved December 20, 2004 from Animal Rights Com. Web site:  http://www.animal-rights.com/arpage.htm 

Columbia University Fined for Cruel Puppy Killings. Retrieved: December 20, 2004 from Columbia University Cruelty. Web Site: http://www.columbiacruelty.com/feat-pupkillings.asp

Francione, G. Animal Rights and the Future. Retrieved December 19, 2004 from Purify Our Mind. Web site:  http://www.purifymind.com/AnimalFuture.htm

Animals in captivity, for example, have often been genetically, behaviorally or anatomically manipulated in order to enhance acclimation to the new environment. Similarly, animals have been neutered, declawed or defanged to be more compatible with their human keepers. Those who are in support of captivity of animals need to revisit such earlier condoned behavior and ensure that animals receive necessary care, nutrition and exercise and live in proper caging areas. Further, depending on the specific animal, there may also be behavioral or psychological concerns in captivity. For instance, captive animals, particularly those that are not domesticated, may develop repetitive and what appears to be random motor behaviors called "stereotypical behaviors," due to their abnormal environment (Bostock 88). Those who maintain animals in captivity, especially zoos and similar institutions and research laboratories, need to attempt to prevent, decrease or eliminate such behavior by introducing novel stimuli, known as environmental enrichment.
Zoos…...

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References

Bostock, Stephen. Zoos and Animal Rights. New York: Routledge, 1993

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. (n.d.). Animals in the Wild. 17 April, 2010,  http://cfhs.ca/wild/zoos 

Claggett, Hilary. Wildlife Conservation. Bronx, NY: Reference Shelf, 1997.

Eakins, Paul. Captivity vs. extinction: Is wildlife served by zoos. North County Times. 1 July, 2007. 15 April, 2010  http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/article_4a263e01-934b-53a8-a1a5-8251740922d9.html

Two main aims of the zoos are highlighted by the author in the article. Firstly, zoos provide the environments that are suitable and represent some level of wilderness. Secondly, the zoos must provide entertainment to the visitors. But the zoos have been criticized by the author. One of the most important facts in these cases is the relationship between pornography and zoos as given by the authors. The way animals are represented in the zoos in the pictures has been very much compared with the sexual representation in pornography. From here, it can be realized that the animal representation is very offensive. Another important fact that has been highlighted by the author is that the zoos are failing to provide the correct education about the life of the animals. The main education that is now being provided by the zoos to the visitors is that the animals have been…...

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References

Acampora, R. (2005). Zoos and Eyes: Contesting Captivity and Seeking Successor Practices. Society and Animals, 13, pp. 69-88(20).

Regan, T. (2000). Defending Animal Rights. University of Illinois Press.

Regan, T. (2003). Animal Rights, Human Wrongs: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy. Rowman & Littlefield.

Singer, P. (2001). Animal Liberation: A Personal View. Writings on an ethical life. London: Fourth Estate.

Part III - Resolution. I argue that it is irrelevant whether animals have rights; even if not, we should conduct ourselves toward them as if they did. On this planet, the form of life most fit for survival in a Darwinian sense is Homo sapiens. We are more fit because we are better able than any other living thing to fully utilize our biologic advantages in tandem with the variables in our environment. But from the same Darwinian sense, we are not intrinsically better than other animals. What makes us better is our ability, too often unexercised, to behave in a way that is contrary to our animal nature. Physiologically, we are predators, but we can choose to be whatever we want - non-predators, for instance. If we are superior in any natural way, this is why.

Undoubtedly, while we may be the most fit, our status as the most fit…...

Animal Rights
Introduction to the ESA

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law (1996) the Endangered Species Act (ESA) obligated the government to protect all animal and plant life threatened with extinction. Included in this category are endangered species, which is defined as any species "which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range." Also protected are threatened species, which are defined as any species "which is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range." The wide brush of this act is creating problems for those who are granting the rights to the animals. Unlike humans, who have been granted certain unalienable rights by their creator, (U.S. ill of Rights) animals receive the rights they enjoy from the highest species on the earth, man.

y treating the subject of animal rights as a holy grail, activist groups are creating…...

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Bibliography

Bogo, J, and Motavalli, J. The Last of Their Kind. E Magazine. Vol. 10, May 1999

Crowder, Carla and Vaughan, Kevin. HIKER ATTACKED BY COUGAR MUST HAVE RABIES VACCINE RANGERS UNABLE TO FIND LION IN ROXBOROUGH; SEARCH CONTINUES TODAY. Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO); 5/2/1998

Endangered Cats of North America: Cougars and Lynx Missing From Western Wilderness National wildlife federation species gallery 2003. Accessed 26 Feb 2004. Website:  http://www.nwf.org/keepthewildalive/catsWest.cfm .

Endangered Species Act. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster's, Incorporated. 1996

However, most animals who are eaten today are not killed in a humane way. The movie "Meet your Meat," narrated by lec Baldwin, describes the way in which animals are raised and butchered. They show cows still alive, strung up by their hind legs screaming as their throats were cut, or dunked in boiling water while still alive. In one clip, a half-slaughtered pig broke one of his own legs trying to get free, slipping and sliding on blood as he tried to escape the slaughter house. Chickens and pigs are kept in terrible conditions while alive. Chickens have their beaks cut off without anesthesia, and live in such little cages that they cannot turn around and usually go insane. Pigs have their ears, tails, and genitalia mutilated without pain medication, are kept in tiny unsanitary cages, and frequently freeze to the side of their trucks during transport.…...

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Animals have the ability to feel pain and suffering, just as humans do, and they have similar emotional reactions to such suffering. Because this is true, moral people through-out the ages have understood that just as we have a responsibility towards other humans to treat them with compassion and respect (and at the very least to avoid inflicting unnecessary pain), we have the same sort of responsibility to animals. Just as each person has the responsibility to determine how they will live their lives so as to be most moral towards their fellow humans, each person must also determine how they can live so that they are moral towards their fellow animals. It can be harder to know how to live so as to be moral towards animals, because the cruelty towards them is so systemic. The main areas in which one must make decisions about personal morality are that regarding the eating of animals and using of their bodies for pleasure and profit, the use of animals for experimentation, and the appropriate way to live with animals who are our companions. In each of these areas, it is necessary to take into consideration the facts of the case in each area and balance the pain and suffering they entail with one's own self-interest.

When it comes to eating animals, some people might point out that animals eat each other, so one could argue that it is natural for different species to prey on one another and one can treat an animal morally even if one kills then for food, so long as one isn't cruel. This may be valid, especially for hunters (even though most prey animals don't kill other animals, and therefore are the "innocent" parties involved). However, most animals who are eaten today are not killed in a humane way. The movie "Meet your Meat," narrated by Alec Baldwin, describes the way in which animals are raised and butchered. They show cows still alive, strung up by their hind legs screaming as their throats were cut, or dunked in boiling water while still alive. In one clip, a half-slaughtered pig broke one of his own legs trying to get free, slipping and sliding on blood as he tried to escape the slaughter house. Chickens and pigs are kept in terrible conditions while alive. Chickens have their beaks cut off without anesthesia, and live in such little cages that they cannot turn around and usually go insane. Pigs have their ears, tails, and genitalia mutilated without pain medication, are kept in tiny unsanitary cages, and frequently freeze to the side of their trucks during transport. A close study of the 'factory farm' environment shows that no commercially available meat today is harvested with respect and high-quality care for the animals involved."[Animals] are never allowed to do anything that is natural to them -- they are never able to feel the grass beneath their feet, the sun on their faces, or fresh air.... all their energy goes toward producing flesh, eggs, or milk for human consumption. They spend their lives confined to concrete stalls and metal cages, terrified and suffering in such unnatural conditions." (Meet your Meat) This film is widely available online at  http://www.meetyourmeat.com .

Experimentation on animals is the most absurd case of animal abuse. Experimentation on animals is patently cruel, particularly when it involves larger animals such as monkeys, cats, and dogs. Animals may be burned, maimed, and tortured in many ways purely for the

e. animal kingdom is well protected and respected. It the humans can expect their rights to be fulfilled and respected, it is their responsibility to ensure that they are equally proactive and vigilant in performing their obligations and responsibilities towards other terrestrials creatures. If the humans have the moral understanding and perspective, it encourages them to respond in more active manner for the development and the progress of the society in particular and the world at large, and when we frame the entire world and environment into the domain, the humans are responsible for reflecting their concern, care and responsibility towards the animal kingdom (Andrew, 2002).
The development and industrial progress achieve by the human society has created enormous impact on the environment of the world, and every single element within this planet has been directly or indirectly affected by the ongoing progress of the world. If the technological development has…...

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References

John M. Kistler. Animal Rights. Greenwood Press. 2000.

Cass R. Sunstein, Martha Craven Nussbaum. Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions. Oxford University Press. 2004.

Hilda Kean. Animal Rights: Political and Social Change in Britain Since 1800. Reaktion Books. 2000.

David Perkins. Romanticism and Animal Rights. Cambridge University. 2003.

Based on these facts, the scientific community and animal welfare groups support animal experiments in medical research where it is found to be absolutely necessary.
To counter the main argument in favor of animal experiments, animal rights groups contend that all sentient creatures are capable of feeling pain and, therefore, conducting experiments on animals is the moral equivalent to using brain damaged humans or infants before the age of reasoning (Goodwin & Morrison, 2000). In addition, they argue that animal experiments can be misleading since the organs of animals react differently to that of humans. As proof, animal rights activists point to examples such as the failure to find anything similar to the cholera process in animals or the fact that all tests on animals failed completely in the case of the drug Thalidomide (Mather, 2003). To further strengthen the case against the use of animals in medical research, other…...

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Works Cited

AMP. "Animal Welfare or Animal Rights? Americans for Medical Progress Web site.

Accessed March 22, 2005: www.amprogress.org/ResearchOpposition/ResearchOppositionmain.cfm

BBC. "Science & Nature: Hot Topics. Animal Experiments." BBC Web site. August 17, 2004. Accessed March 22, 2005: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/animalexperiments/alternatives.shtml

FRAME. "The Aims of FRAME." Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical

These abilities are inclusive of memory emotion, belief, desire, intentional actions and an awareness of the future. With these things being understood this theory asserts that mammals not only have physical bodies that are alive but they also function as psychological beings whose existence can get better or worse. Proponents of this theory argue that other mammals have this capacity even though they cannot use human language to articulate this capacity.
The second stage of this theory asserts that subjects of a life are independent of one another. This argument is used to refute the idea that utilitarianism which asserts that living things are only vessels of morally significant value (Warren). As such damage done to one living thing may be permissible because it may provide some benefit to other living things. This is that argument used to justify using animals for medical research. However this is an idea that…...

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References

Callicot J.B. Animal Liberation: A triangular affair. Environmental Ethics Vol. 2(4) 1980. 511-538

Callicot J.B. In Defense of the Land Ethic. State University Press: New York.

Guthrie R.D., the Ethical relationship between humans and other organisms. Perspectives from Biology and Medicine.

Hettinger, Ned. Valuing Predation is Rolstons Environmental Ethics: Bambi Lovers and Tree Huggers. Environmental Ethics. Vol. 16, 1994

The Moral Equation:

Observations of animals, whether in the wild, in captivity, or in experimental cages reveal undeniable evidence that they perceive physical pain and discomfort as well as pain as acutely as we do (Tangley 2000). Anecdotal evidence of numerous well documented instances seems to suggest that many animals also experience emotions such as grief from of loss of companionship (Moussaieff-Masson 1995).

Not uncommonly, it is scientists and medical researchers themselves who first notice responses and behaviors in laboratory animals that, in the extreme, challenge their previous assumptions about what "rights" animals have not to be subjected unnecessarily, or for no worthwhile purpose, to excruciating pain (Winter 2002). It is possible, for example, to justify infecting animals with cancer for the purposes of learning how to treat human cancer while opposing recreational hunting, or other reasons for using animals. For example, in parts of China it is possible to purchase donkey…...

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References

Moussaieff-Masson, J. (1995) When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals. New York: Bantam.

Tangley, L. (2000) Animal Emotions: Do Animals Have Feelings?; U.S. News & World Report. (October 30, 2000).

Tripp, P. (2003) World Issues: Animal Rights.

North Mankota, MN: Chrysalis Books. Winter, J. (2002) Chimp Change; Village Voice (August 6, 2002).

Unfortunately, the costs of implementing the licensing and education program for pet ownership qualification would likely exceed any revenue generated by licensing fees or civil penalties for violations. Nevertheless, in principle, the idea is worth considering.
The two most important goals of any pet ownership licensing requirement would be (1) to ensure that new pet owners are aware of their pet's needs, and (2) enforcement of violations. In that regard, violators and those convicted of animal cruelty could be permanently prohibited from future pet ownership. Less serious violations could be addressed by temporary restrictions and requirement for animal sensitivity training as a necessary precondition to future pet ownership eligibility. This would make particular sense where neglect results from innocent ignorance rather than willful criminal or violent animal abuse.

One of the most difficult conceptual problems with addressing animal abuse through licensing requirements is illustrated by the fact that mere licensing is…...

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References

Coren, S. The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions. (1995) New York: Bantam

Dodman, N.H. (2002) if Only They Could Speak: Stories about Pets and Their People. New York: W.W. Norton

Moussaieff-Masson, J. (1995) When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals. New York: Bantam.

Schmalleger, F. (1997) Criminal Justice Today. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Animal Rights and Ethics
Ingram (2001) in an article hosted by Stop Animal Exploitation NOW! (SAEN) organization reports accusations of animal rights abuses by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). There are three levels of animal use in research: experiments with minimal distress, experiments with the potential for distress but using pain relievers and experiments with the potential for distress without medication. Detailed regulations in the Animal Welfare Act state that there must be justification for moving to different levels of use and the USDA is accused by SAEN of ignoring these laws.

The underlying ethics behind the allegations against the USDA are that it is always unethical to allow animals to be in pain in scientific experiments. However, the law is not on the accusers' side, and therefore, they quibble that researchers unnecessarily and illegally move to levels of research in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

For the author's part (Ingram,…...

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Bibliography

Ingram, D. (2001, July 18) Animal activists issue complaint. The Chronicle. Retrieved April 19, 2004 from Web site:  http://www.all-creatures.org/saen/media-chr-18jul2001.html

Animal Rights and Moral Philosophy
Most philosophy is directed at and in reference to human behavior and human responsibility yet it is presumptuous to believe that Aristotle when building the basis for Natural Law Theory did not include within his biological ideal the actions of humans toward other living beings. Reaching final mature form is said to be the goal for beings when one applies the teleological theory of Natural Law Theory. Therefore if a human were to disrupt the maturation goal of another living being it would be against the tenets of Natural Law Theory: moral law is accessible to human reason; moral law is based on human nature; moral law is universally applicable.

Aristotle makes clear through his work that in order to find happiness we must function perfectly. "human good turns out to be activity of soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue,…...

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Works Cited

Aristotle. Trans. W.D. Ross. Nicomachean Ethics. May 08, 2003 http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.1.i.html.1994-2000

Bukowski, Michal "Kant's Theory of Morals." May 08, 2003 http://www.bukwa.com/filozofia/moje_prace/theory_of_morals/ktom.asp.

Fox, James J. "Natural Law: It's Essence: The Catholic Encyclopedia Online." May 08, 2003  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09076a.htm.2003

Animal rights activist and Professor Tom Regan holds the position that it is justifiable to completely abolish the use of animals in science, agriculture, hunting and so on. He justifies this position on the theory of inherent value which he defines as the state in which every being is more than a mere receptable, and he concludes that all who have inherent value are to have it equally. Therefore, if a thing has inherent value it is wrong not to show respect for its value, i.e. To treat it as a mere resource for the use of others, as a means to an end. Because animals are included among things with inherent value Regan argues that to use them as a means to an end is morally wrong.
The argument against Regan's view is not that non-humans do not have rights. Non-humans, that is, animals have a right to humane treatment…...

When writing an argumentative essay, you are encouraged to take strong positions that might not be appropriate in other types of academic writing.  This is especially true when you are crafting your hook, which is a dramatic statement, usually a sentence or two, designed to capture the reader’s interest and get them interested enough to read the rest of the essay.  You might find this type of task challenging when focusing on a topic like zoos.  However, if you consider how popular the Netflix Series Tiger King was in the summer of....

1. The ethical implications of keeping birds in cages
2. The psychological effects of caging birds on their well-being
3. The role of caged birds in human culture and history
4. The impact of bird trafficking and illegal bird trade on caged bird populations
5. The importance of bird conservation and protection of endangered species in captivity
6. The relationship between pet birds and their owners in captivity
7. The challenges and benefits of bird rehabilitation and re-introduction programs
8. The symbolism of caged birds in literature and art
9. The rights of caged birds and the debate surrounding animal rights
10. The potential alternatives to caging birds for....

Topic 1: The Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Workplace

Key Issues:
The potential for AI to automate jobs and displace human workers, leading to unemployment and economic insecurity.
AI's impact on workplace privacy and surveillance, with AI-powered monitoring systems potentially infringing on workers' rights.
The need for ethical guidelines and regulations governing the development and use of AI in the workplace, to ensure fairness and protect workers' rights.

Topic 2: The Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Human Enhancement

Key Issues:
The potential benefits of genetic engineering, such as curing diseases, improving cognitive abilities, and extending lifespan.
The ethical....

1. Discuss the ethical implications of using animals for cosmetic testing, as portrayed in the short film "Save Ralph." How does the film challenge viewers to reconsider their attitudes towards animal testing?

2. Explore the role of empathy in shaping our attitudes towards animal rights and welfare, as illustrated in the character of Ralph in "Save Ralph."

3. Analyze the effectiveness of visual storytelling in raising awareness about animal testing and advocating for cruelty-free alternatives, using "Save Ralph" as a case study.

4. Compare and contrast the approach of "Save Ralph" with other advocacy campaigns or documentaries that address similar issues in the....