Throughout history, people have had a conflicted relationship with animals, adoring them as pets and yet exploiting them for food, entertainment and as research subjects. While some feel that this abuse is justified, others are strongly opposed. In this essay, I will discuss these views and explain why I feel that we should reduce our reliance on animals.
Many people claim that animals exist solely for our use and therefore, have few, if any, rights. The food industry, for instance, relies on the mass production of animals, most of which are kept in cramped and sometimes appalling conditions, which sometimes amount to torture. Since these animals are destined for slaughter anyway, some argue that their quality of life is irrelevant. The medical, scientific and cosmetics industries also use animals as objects, conducting painful and often fatal experiments on them, with little regard for their rights. Many people feel that the results of such tests are crucial to humankind and thus justify this inhumane treatment.
Despite this, others, myself included, feel that this exploitation of animals ought to be reconsidered. As they are sentient beings, capable of feelings and relationships, they deserve more respect. To achieve this, although Veganism may not suit everyone, it is certainly possible for people to cut down on meat consumption or at least make more ethical choices. In medical research too, the aim should be to reduce animal use, refine techniques and to replace them with other means. Given the range of alternatives available, the treatment of animals can no longer be justified.
In conclusion, humans have built their lives on the backs of animals. While some feel comfortable continuing in this way, I believe we now have other options available that allow us to protect their rights and still maintain our quality of life.
Throughout history,
people
have had a conflicted relationship with
animals
, adoring them as pets and
yet
exploiting them for food, entertainment and as research subjects. While
some
feel
that this abuse
is justified
, others are
strongly
opposed. In this essay, I will discuss these views and
explain
why I
feel
that we should
reduce
our reliance on animals.
Many
people
claim that
animals
exist
solely
for our
use
and
therefore
, have few, if any, rights. The food industry,
for instance
, relies on the mass production of
animals
, most of which are
kept
in cramped and
sometimes
appalling conditions, which
sometimes
amount to torture. Since these
animals
are destined
for slaughter anyway,
some
argue that their quality of life is irrelevant. The medical, scientific and cosmetics industries
also
use
animals
as objects, conducting painful and
often
fatal experiments on them, with
little
regard for their rights.
Many
people
feel
that the results of such
tests
are crucial to humankind and
thus
justify this inhumane treatment.
Despite this, others, myself included,
feel
that this exploitation of
animals
ought to
be reconsidered
. As they are sentient beings, capable of feelings and relationships, they deserve more respect. To achieve this, although Veganism may not suit everyone, it is
certainly
possible for
people
to
cut
down on meat consumption or at least
make
more ethical choices. In medical research too, the aim should be to
reduce
animal
use
, refine techniques and to replace them with
other
means.
Given
the range of alternatives available, the treatment of
animals
can no longer
be justified
.
In conclusion
, humans have built their
lives
on the backs of
animals
. While
some
feel
comfortable continuing in this way, I believe we
now
have
other
options available that
allow
us to protect their rights and
still
maintain our quality of life.