Read the articles and commentary below about animal rights extremists and the recent car firebombings. What rights, if any, do animals have? Why or why not? Is the type of violence discussed in these articles ever justified as a means to stop animal research?
Animal Research Activists Firebomb Car
Press Release from UCLA Newsroom
More on the UCLA Firebombing
From the LA Times
Commentary on Animal Rights Extremists
From Adventures in Ethics and Science Blog
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I think animals have rights like we humans do. Animals have the right not to be used like tools. They have interests and feelings just as we have. They feel pain, and we should treat animals the way we do our pets: with respect and concern for their welfare. Just a we treat our pets with respect and think we shouldn’t mistreat them, I think the same goes for other animals. Using animals for research can be ethical if the animals experimented on are already dead – just like it is ok to experiment on human cadavers, but it is wrong to experiment on living animals in ways that we would not experiment on humans. I think animal rights should be protected just like human rights.
I agree with protesters that we should not mistreat living animals by subjecting them to unpleasant experimental conditions, but I only support protests that are carried out in a professional manner. I do not support the use of violence in the protest of animal mistreatment. Two wrongs do not make a right. There are better ways to protest the mistreatment of animals that do not involve the mistreatment of humans. Humans and animals have rights and interests that should be protected to the best of our abilities and in an ethical manner.
I believe animals deserve humane treatment and rights. An animal feels pain and experiences loneliness. We as people are responsible for the treatment of animals. With this responsibility comes greater accountability.
Animals are every day used for experimentation used to see the effects of medicine and products before they are tried on humans. The opposition to these practices have strong convictions in which motivated as stated in the article animal rights extremists to car firebombings. These types of violence are not justified to stop animal research. What seems as cruel to animals is a necessity to continue researching what could work on humans. The extremist alienate what legitimate opinion animal rights protesters have. Their are cases where animals are mistreated yet this is not the majority. Animals can be used in a humane way for research.
I believe animals do have rights, but I know we need them to test different treatments. It is hard to really choose one side or the other. I don’t think hurting animals is ok or that mistreating animal should be aloud. It is a little extreme to bomb a car though. We wouldn’t be were we are in medicine if it is not for testing on animals. People need to be watch closely that they don’t go to far on the testing. It is one of those sides that is hard to draw the line on but violence should never happen like this bombing. Others may get hurt who have nothing to do with the protest. (wrong place, wrong time)
Sure animals have rights so do humans. We need to understand that there is a difference between humans and animals. The life of a human is far more valuable than that of an animal. I think we need to keep this in mind when we head out to blow up someone’s car or physically harm someone to save an animal. That same animal that is being used to develop or test for that new drug may someday save your life. Animals are used and need to continue to be used in order to test certain drugs or new treatments. I agree there has to be regulation and limitations regarding what animals and what kinds of treatments they can be subjected to. Regarding the bombings, violence like this is inexcusable, and frankly it really irritates me. Blowing up someone’s car, house, or office. I mean, really, what is that going to prove? If anything it makes me want to side more with the researcher, not the thugs blowing things up. Animals have rights, but sometimes we need to realize that although they live and may have feelings, that animal life may someday save thousands of human lives.
Animals have the right to be treated in a humane manner, regardless if they are being used for research, pets, or bred for consumption. Just as humans have the right to humane treatment, so do animals. Humans are animals and it would be unfair to demand society to treat us with dignity and respect but not other animals simply because their species might differ. In regards to the violence against animal researchers, these are irresponsible and dangerous means in which activists’ are completely denying human precedence over differing species. Humans are the superior species, but that does not mean other species need to be treated as inferior. Animals, including humans are needed for research in order for science and medicine to advance, but neither species should be treated inhumanely. The violence against researchers doesn’t solve any problems; it only adds the possibility of terrorism to the list. One question that should be asked of these activists is what health problems do they have that require medical treatment, treatments that are tested on both animals and humans to be proven safe? The cause for the humane treatment of animals is a good cause, but violence against humans for this cause is unnecessary and immoral.
As I do believe that animals have the right to be treated humanely I do also believe in research that uses animals. Unfortunately the need for animals in research is a necessary evil that provides substantial benefit over risk. While animals have cognitive ability and I believe the ability to love they are not capable of entering into a social contract, to follow the rules and adhere to the consequences of society. However, there is no reason to treat an animal with little regard for its basic needs and safety. Animals, regardless of status as domestic pets or research subjects, have the right to be treated humanely and with dignity. It is unfortunate that in many ways just the means of research can be regarded as painful or inhumane. Without animal research we do not have certain life saving drugs for animals and humans, understanding of disease process or many other therapeutic tools. That said, an animal must still be provided with care and comfort regardless of his situation. As for the activists, it is never ethical to respond with violence or out right regard for life. As research can be done in controlled settings, protest can be exhibited humanely and logically. Violence is an irrational act as a result of loss of control or purposeful evil. Many battles and movements have been won and fought throughout history through peaceful protest. Martin Luther King and Gandhi advocated the use of prayer and protest with words. Violence is never a means to ends.
Yes I believe animals have right just like humans. Animals should not be treated cruelly (fighting animals, starving them, or leaving out them in the sun) or tormented, but animals help researchers understand diseases, chemical effects of products and help find cures for diseases. I do believe they should be allowed to be experimented on. Without animals we would be so far behind in medicine today.
The type of violence discussed in these articles should never be justified as a means to stop animal research. These animal activists should go about stopping animal research the legal way. Many activists of certain groups have fought to change the system the legal way for years, some where successful and some were not. The ones who were not successful continue to fight to make a change in society. When someone intentionally destroys someone’s personal property or tries to harm a person to get their point across is never ok. The rights of people out way the rights of animals by far.
All animals have the right to live their lives without harm or cruelty from humans.Animals were created by God as were humans and it was for a purpose.Animals enrich our lives,we use them for food,as pets and they make us happy,they complete us.Some animals such as police dogs assist us in fighting crimes.Camels,donkeys and mules assist us in transporting heavy luggage across long distances.Dogs,cats,birds and fish are used for therapeutic purposes.Dolphins,monkeys,tigers and elephants are used for entertainment and circus circus.Animals are a part of who we are and the world would be a dull place without them.That is why we should always treat all animals with respect and dignity.
Animals have rights just as humans do,however due their limitation in higher mental functions,they have to depend on humans for everything that is good.For shelter,for food,for good care.This is why we should protect animals from harm.We should treat them humanely,with respect.Animals have feelings too.They feel pain,and they experience joy and sadness as well.It is unfortunate that we have to experiment and do research on animals.But researchers are short handed and if it were not for the animals,these researches would have to be done on real humans.The world is not a perfect place,and something always gotta give.Somehow someone has to loose for another to succeed,and i believe this is where animal research comes in,few mice here and there and wallah!,we have a cure for cancer,AIDS or other deadly disease.The many medical breakthroughs would not have been possible without the help of these animals.But still even in research,we should exercise great caution to maintain maximum dignity for these animals.
For the car bombings and other violence directed towards the researchers,there is no moral justification what so ever for their acts.Its just selfishness and self-satisfaction.Two wrongs don't make a right,and there is always a better more civilized way to make your voice heard,and for sure,violence against innocent humans is not one of them.The government should crack down on these maniacs and lock them up before they harm someone,they are bad news for the society.
We use animals for food and other purposes and the government should put in place strict regulations to make sure that all animals are treated with respect and dignity,even if we have to kill them for food.I believe a chicken should die for its meat,or a cow,or a pig,or a fish,but we shouldn't be killings animals for other purposes like fur or tusk,or teeth.We should always make sure that our pets are well fed,and we shouldn't set them on fire,kick them or drag them at the back of our cars when we get angry at them.They are living things and we should treat them humanely,the way God intended us to!
Animals have the right as living creatures to be respected and not tortured at the expense of someone or something else, just as human life should be respected. We are all creatures that share this planet and as such we all have a duty to respect each other. Animals do not torture each other for fun; they only kill when threatened or for food to survive. For many years humans have abused animals in the name of research defending themselves by stating animals could not feel pain as they don’t have a higher level of consciousness. As we have learned since that time, several animals do have a higher level of consciousness and can feel pain. There are some animals that are more intelligent than the average human (just my opinion). Early scientists used animals for extremely important research but due to their lack of respect the animals suffered unnecessary pain and torture. Animals are important to the advancement of science for things like finding cures for disease, understanding how medications work, and developing new surgical techniques. All this important animal research can be obtained with minimal discomfort to the animals used. There have been many newly placed animal research laws and guidelines that are enforced more than in the past. Animals are being used less often than in the past and the validity of the experiments is reviewed more strictly. Honestly, I am an animal lover but also love medicine which in some cases put my feelings in severe conflict. I do not believe in the abuse of animals in the name of research or medicine. However I understand and agree with the need for animals for valid medical research. If we had not perform the animal experiments in the past we would not have the vaccines used today, live saving medications, life altering surgical techniques, and would ultimately not have the life span most people enjoy today.
As for the animal rights extremists, their use of violence has not helped the pursuit of animal rights. Extremists give the rest of the animal rights activists a bad name and make their views less likely to be heard by the public. Under no circumstances is violence an acceptable resource to voice your opinion. Unfortunately the acts of the few have a large impact and expense to the many.
I believe that animals should not be treated inhuman. I do not approve of mistreating or miss using animals for research purpose although I acknowledge that we contain benefit from it. I agree with testing new treatments on animals but with certain regulations and with great respect toward animals. It is unfair to treat our animals like their nothing like their tools. I abolish violence, bombing cars, no way! How are protestors going to have the face to say that mistreating our animals is unfair if they are doing an even worse action by committing act of violence toward animal researcher’s. What protestors are doing is called "eye by an eye and tooth by tooth" meaning they are acting the same way, if they are protesting against animal cruelty what about human cruelty. They should find a peaceful way to deal like the saying goes "turn the other cheek." meaning by being the bigger person they should use reason to deal with animal cruelty. I disagree with animal cruelty as well as human violence, trying to undo a wrong by doing a wrong leads to nowhere.
I am for animals having some rights as being alive. I do think that PETA and other activists groups are extreme. I think that they are allowed to express there views and convince others that's the right way to proceed. I think that if anyone is going to take a violent approach to doing so or helping supporting them would be considered an act of abiding criminals. I personally don't know all the aspects about the company's that are said to be aiding if they are.
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