dowry and bridewealth
Helen Nguyen
17462408
31 May 2014
Economics (welfare)
What are the key anthropological issues in the relationship between humans and animals used for testing and utility? Why do some people support this practice while others are against it?
Animals have always been a large contribution to human life. Their most common and significant contributions comes in the form of meat, milk and eggs- either for direct consumption by the owners or for sale to the wider public. Other often overlooked contributions include manure, draft power, hides and most importantly as test objects. Humans are believed to be the more intelligent species compared to animals and hold the ability to manipulate their lives- bringing them into existence in order to kill them for the benefit of humankind. The ethics behind the use of animals for testing and research is an ongoing debate. This piece aims to demonstrate the relationship between humans and animals that are used for research and utility and why some people support this practice while others are against it.
The use of animals for human benefits brings forth an overwhelmingly difficult debate. There is no doubt that the use of animals has greatly contributed to the development of humankind, leading to things such as advances in medical science. Medical researchers outline the great importance that the use of animals in their research have on the welfare of humans, for example, in the testing and development of new vaccines, drugs or medical procedures. This justifies “the use of animals for the benefit of humans with the assertion that humans are more important than animals, and that our needs override they needs” (Knight et al., 2003).
The mental experiences and abilities of an animal greatly influence humans attitudes towards the use of animals. It can be roughly categorised as belief in animal cognition (for instance the capability of solving problems and making decisions) and belief in animal sentience (their ability
17462408
31 May 2014
Economics (welfare)
What are the key anthropological issues in the relationship between humans and animals used for testing and utility? Why do some people support this practice while others are against it?
Animals have always been a large contribution to human life. Their most common and significant contributions comes in the form of meat, milk and eggs- either for direct consumption by the owners or for sale to the wider public. Other often overlooked contributions include manure, draft power, hides and most importantly as test objects. Humans are believed to be the more intelligent species compared to animals and hold the ability to manipulate their lives- bringing them into existence in order to kill them for the benefit of humankind. The ethics behind the use of animals for testing and research is an ongoing debate. This piece aims to demonstrate the relationship between humans and animals that are used for research and utility and why some people support this practice while others are against it.
The use of animals for human benefits brings forth an overwhelmingly difficult debate. There is no doubt that the use of animals has greatly contributed to the development of humankind, leading to things such as advances in medical science. Medical researchers outline the great importance that the use of animals in their research have on the welfare of humans, for example, in the testing and development of new vaccines, drugs or medical procedures. This justifies “the use of animals for the benefit of humans with the assertion that humans are more important than animals, and that our needs override they needs” (Knight et al., 2003).
The mental experiences and abilities of an animal greatly influence humans attitudes towards the use of animals. It can be roughly categorised as belief in animal cognition (for instance the capability of solving problems and making decisions) and belief in animal sentience (their ability