Animal Rights - Research Paper Example

Introduction Development in medical science is based largely on experimentation and research and animals have served to be the subjects for this purpose. Animal research has played a key role in the advancements in psychological knowledge over the twentieth century. In this regard the American Association for the Advancement of Science in the year 1990 clearly presented this fact in these words, “The use of animals has been and continues to be essential…. In applied research with direct clinical applications in animals and humans.” Animals are used in psychological research because they assist in the better understanding of human psychological characteristics which include remembering things and the changes seen in periods of strain. This research has assisted in the understanding of psychopathological conditions which include schizophrenia and depressive disorders as well as the assessment of the untoward effects of medications used in the treatment of psychological conditions. It is for these reasons that the role of ethics has come into play. Many argue that animals should have their rights and they should not be used for experimental and research purposes (Plous 1996; Smith 2010). Other than that animals are also being slaughtered and killed because of which their habitat is being endangered. This essay would further revolve around animal rights and prove as to why is it important to preserve animal rights these days. Significance History In the seventeenth century a common notion was held against the acts of animals which were considered to be unethical and dangerous. However gradually the rights of animals have been recognized such that some states even look forward to extend the rights of liberty and life to them (Kadri 2006). It has been seen that strict measures have been taken to measure the violence against animals by many animal rights organizations. The argument of animal rights Previously animals did not have many rights but over time organizations have been created to argue for the rights of animals. The case of animal rights lies in the fact that the animals can breathe just like the human beings. The proponents of animal rights believe that there is no such difference between human beings and animals and both of them should be treated equally. In accordance to biology human beings and mammals have almost the same characteristics. Both of them have a conscious perception about the surroundings and can make choices in accordance to their will. Human beings do not like certain things over others and same is the case with animals and this should be respected in terms of animal equality. On the other hand the opponents of animal rights believe that these animals do not have a right similar to that of human beings. According to them the animals do not have conscious perception about the things that they are doing. According to the famous philosopher Rene Descartes animals were merely robots acting in a complicated manner. At certain instances religion is also brought by these opponents to argue the case against animal rights. St Augustine stated that "by a most just ordinance of the Creator, both their [animals'] life and their death are subject to our use." The opponents also put forward that animals do not have a sense of morality similar to that of human beings. These opponents argue that because of their immoral acts the animals should also not be tolerated in the society (BBC 2011). Animal Cruelty Although animal rights have been promoted in the society it is still seen that animal cruelty figures are on the rise. Between the years of 2003 and 2004 it was found that more than 100000 complaints were made against the cruelty of animals (BBC News 2004). Moreover in 2010 it was found that the complaints against animal cruelty rose by around 10%. Animal cruelty has been discouraged to a great extent in many states and the consequences of animal cruelty have been severed to the extent of prosecution. It is because of this reason that many owners tend to be careful hen handling their pet animals (BBC News 2011). The extent of animal rights It is because of animal cruelty that many states have implemented animal rights which look after the animals. A law is being implemented in 2015 regarding the rights of hens. It is through this law that the hens would have to be provided enough space in which they can stand and lie whenever they want to. Animal rights have gained such popularity all over the world that even the chaining of dogs has been argued upon by many individuals. Moreover courses are being taught regarding the rights of animals which are increasingly getting popular. The popular support of animal rights can be witnessed in the egg referendum that took place in California. The proponents of animal rights won the egg referendum by a majority of 63% votes. It has been argued that the animal rights are being extended too much and this may harm the integrity of the human-animal balance. It is because of this reason that many argue that the animal rights should be contained such that they do not harm the integrity of balance (Cohen 2010). Animal Rights organization Many organizations have been formed to keep a check on the animal rights. One such organization is Animal Equality which operates in many countries. Animal Equality is an organization of international stature which strives to give the animal the rights which they should have. It was formed in 2006 in the city of Madrid and is currently working in countries of United Kingdom, Spain, Peru, Venuzuela and Colombia. Animal Equality strives to aware people about the harshness that the animals are facing these days and control the inhumane deaths of these species. They try to do this by educating individuals about speciesism and veganism. They carry out activities which would help the general public to know the truth about what is happening in the society in regard to the animal rights. In simple words Animal Equality urges people to stop using animals to fulfill their own needs and wants. Speciesism here refers to a form of discrimination which is used against species which are non-human. Animal Equality tries to urge people to stop exploiting animals by making them aware about the concepts of Speciesism. Similarly Veganism is a concept of urging people to consume a diet which is more associated to plants and does not in any way exploit animals. Both these concepts together are the basis for this organization in providing the animals with their rights. Animal Equality has carried out several actions so as to decrease or eradicate animal exploitation. This involves activities such as raiding slaughter houses and places where animals could be exploited. By raiding and finding anything against animal rights the organization is making aware the general public about the injustice that is being laid upon the animals nowadays. Similarly they also hold street protests to voice their concerns regarding animals if they feel any discrimination is being done against these species. Animal Equality is an organization which is doing its best to keep its purpose alive and is working towards the goal to provide the animals with the rights which they deserve (Animal Equality 2011). Supporting Statistical Data Mortality Report of Animals Total Cases: 15,105 Total Cases with Mortality Data: 5,207 (34.47%) Animals Survived: 149,224 Animals Died*: 22,720 Total Animals: 171,944 Estimated Total**: 498,793 Cases of Animal Cruelty in California Cases in CA Live Dead Cases   Hoarding 563 56 7 Fighting 548 176 10 Neglect / Abandonment 139 16 11 Mutilation/Torture 7 1 6 Beating 6 3 10 Choking / Strangulation / Suffocation 4 2 1 Kicking/Stomping 2 1 3 Shooting 2 4 6 Other 2 -- 2 Burning - Caustic Substance 2 -- 2 Theft 1 -- 1 Bestiality 1 -- 2 Drowning 1 -- 1 Hanging -- 1 1 Unclassified -- 1 1 Poisoning -- 1 1   1,278 262 65   *Taken from Pet Abuse Statistics Conclusion The issue of ‘Animal rights’ has become a controversial topic over the years as many argue that animals should not be treated like the human beings are. The proponents of animal rights put forward strong arguments regarding the morality of animals which should be taken into view to grant them the rights. It has been seen that many organizations have been formed all over the world to serve this purpose. References Animal Equality Plous, S. (January 01, 1996). Attitudes Toward the Use of Animals in Psychological Research and Education: Results From a National Survey of Psychologists. The American Psychologist, 51, 11, 1167. http://www.socialpsychology.org/pdf/ap1996.pdf Animal rights rights and wrongs. Jennie Erin Smith 2010.The Sunday Times. RSPCA says animal cruelty complaints rise 10% in 2010. BBC News 2011. < http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13276359> RSPCA warns over cruelty figures. BBC News 2004. Can Animal Rights Go Too Far? Adam Cohen 2010. TIME. Pet Abuse. 2011. Read More