Meat in our culture is an indulgence, an unhealthy food product, extremely cruel to animals, and produced by a system which inevitably teaches apathy and sadism to our children. Therefore it is not a part of the proper relationship between humans and animals for people to eat meat in America.
Animals have long been used for experimentation of medical procedures, and there is a general opinion among the public that this is a necessity in order to save human life. However, when defining the relationship between humans and animals in this aspect of society, it is necessary to remember that not long ago it was considered acceptable to experiment on the mentally ill housed in asylums in order to save the lives of "complete" humans. Does this seem like an appropriate relationship between special needs people and the rest of society? Most people feel that the answer is a resounding no. By the same logic that makes it not okay for doctors to perform lobotomies on children with Down Syndrome, and by the same logic that makes it unacceptable for Nazis to perform medical experiments on Jews and homosexuals, it is also not appropriate for humans to perform experiments on animals. Animals can feel pain, and animals can suffer, therefore it is our responsibility to not inflict unnecessary pain or suffering onto any living creature. However, for those who still insist that animal experimentation is a necessary evil, it is vital to understand...
It is therefore the responsibility of humans to find alternate testing methods, of which many already exist, for the sake of animals and people alike.
Finally, humans must clarify the relationship they have with companion animals, and recognize the rights and responsibilities associated with that relationship. Humans have been domesticating animals for thousands of years, and it is a common saying that a dog is a man's best friend. Companion animals have been considered part of the family for many, yet they are rarely treated as such. Companion animals are often abandoned, neglected, or abused. Millions of animals are put to sleep by veterinarians, not because they have terminal illnesses and are in pain, but because they have become an inconvenience. Humans have a responsibility to help the animals that trust them to do so.
Animal rights is a vast subject, and the definition of the ideal relationship between humans and animals will vary from person to person. However, there are very simple rights and responsibilities that are inherent in any relationship which is not cruel. In order to understand this complex relationship, it is necessary to address issues relating to the eating of, experimenting on, and companion status with animals.
