Animal Deserves Rights

Animals Deserve Rights

When one thinks about animal rights, one usually thinks about the rights or privileges of men. Perhaps, after a little extra thought, one may wonder: What about the other living creatures that we share the environment with? What rights, if any, should they have? Animals and man have shared this planet since humans first appeared on earth. Animals have provided transportation, food, clothing, shelter, companionship and entertainment and even medical testing for thousands of years. Therefore, it is our duty to treat animals with respect, care and kindness and not cause them undue suffering, because they have, in many ways, made it possible for man to survive on earth and they too deserve rights.

"The philosophical foundation of most animal rights groups grows from a view that all living species are equal and equally worthy of dignity and freedom," said Sheldon (1). Animals have come a long way, biologists note that god gave animals to humanity for its use and so human, properly have "dominion" over these creatures. Sheldon stated that, "There for humans' superiority to other animals concede that humankind should take care of animals (1). Animals are given to us by god for use; humans are commended to be good to all living creatures, as gifts from god (1).

Second, animal activists oppose all animal-based medical research. Murray said, "If we had listened to their arguments 50 years ago, children still would be contracting polio (the vaccine was developed in monkeys) (1). Diabetics would not have insulin, a benefit of research on dogs. We would also be without antibiotics for pneumonia, chemotherapy for cancer, surgery for heart diseases, organ transplants and variety of different tests, especially to test the products that we use in our everyday life. An animal have been used to test tobacco, cosmetic products, and sometimes cures for diseases, but these animals are rodents that people could care less about, such as, rats and mice. Animal testing on any animals except rats, mice and other rodents, have been banned (Owen 1). People use animals but only to benefit human beings, so they could live longer and healthier lives. Owen mentions that, "The need for animals to be used in Medical Research will undoubtedly continue to exist for the foreseeable future (1)." "Everyone has reason to thank animal research, and its value to medical progress, it's backed by overwhelming weight of serious scientific opinion," said Owen (1).

Third, activists have never been taken seriously because of how violent they've become, but they just want to be heard. There are a lot of different opinions about public support for the Animal-Rights movement and also about whether peaceful protests and destructive acts are having the intended impact (Knickebucker 2). According to Knickerbucker (1), "The number of attacks against such activities is increasingly markedly, including ..... Activists, who are violent, feel like their losing the war and must show more action (2). Even young people are more interested in animal cruelty and many are becoming radical animal activists and very violent (2).

Scientist and Activists have been having a war of their own because of how animals and activists themselves are being treated. Plous stated in his article Signs of Change with in the Animal Rights Movement, "If animal researchers will stop trying to portray animal rights activist as terrorists. Then animal rights activist will condemn all violent forms of activism, including arson, break-ins, vandalism, and bomb threats." "If animal researchers hold regular open houses at laboratories and address any problems that the public detects. Then animal rights activist will stop using exaggerated or outdated photographs from animal research that is no longer conducted." "If animal researchers report the number of rats, mice, and birds used in research, even if tallies are not required by law. Then animal

rights activists will stop using old or inflated estimates of how many animals are used in research" said Plous (2). Activists have tried to make agreements but people just don't want to listen and that's why they become so violent (1).

Fourth, throughout the years hunting has become a regular hobby. Hunters can't wait for hunting season, they say that hunting, fowling, and fishing is the very essence of American self-sufficiency (Johsson 1). These hunters hunt for fun, and they believe that their not bothering anyone, but Americans don't want people hunting around their land (2). "For them shooting game is a much of a god-given right as plowing the land" said Johsson (1). In at least 13 states hunters are trying to unite to make hunting and fishing a right (1). According to Johsson (2), "Even if America is increasingly a suburban nation, polls show that hunting is almost as popular today as it was when Davy Crockett roamed the south." Hunters talk about how hunting is traditional so why are there so many organizations fighting against the right to hunt (1). It's