Issues Of Animal Life And Death Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 4 ethical issues
A
Blood sports, intensive farming, xenotransplantation, scientific research
2
Q
What did Jeremy Bentham say about animal suffering
A
The question is not “can they reason” nor “can they talk” but “can they suffer”
3
Q
What did Peter singer say about personhood
A
Says animals can have personhood as they have some ability to reason but some animals who cannot reason do not have personhood
4
Q
Name some bloodsports
A
Bear baiting, pato, goose pulling, buzkashi, badger baiting
5
Q
What did Tom Regab say about bloodsports
A
Animals are more than utilities for us “somebodies not somethings” slavery, child labor is unjust so why not for animals
6
Q
What are 2 quotes from Tom regan
A
“Somebodies not somethings”
“Ruthless exploitation”
7
Q
Why is orcas in captivity bad
A
Human life at risk
Animal isolation
Poor conditions for animals
Changes in animal behaviour
8
Q
Why could orca activity be ok
A
Entertainment
Financial incentive
Conservation of endangered animals
9
Q
what are the 3 types of farming
A
intensive, organic and free range
10
Q
What are the positives of eating meat
A
-source of protein
-income for farmers
-they’re there anyway why not eat them
-humans have always eat meat, it is in out physiognomy
-animals are sentient like humans
we need meat to survive
11
Q
what are negatives for eating meat
A
-animals are sentient and intelligent
-meat eating is no longer sustainable
-livestock CO2 emmissions
plants can give us essential nutrients
12
Q
what are the pros to intensive farming
A
-high productivity
-efficient land use
-economic benefits
-hierarchy if souls
-biologically we are designed to eat meat
13
Q
what are the cons to intensive farming
A
-environmental damage
-animal welfare risks
-health risks (chemicals, antibiotics)
-impact on small farmers
-animals have sentience
-animals can feel pain and can communicate within communities like ants
-why some not others
14
Q
what is the 2 moral problems with killing animals for food
A
-is it wrong to raise and kill animals for human consumption (mean to human ends)
-does it stop being wrong if the processes involved are carried out humanely
15
Q
what is intensive farming
A
it is where a lot of money are labour are used to increase the amount of crops or animals produced in a specific area of land. They use large amounts of pesticides for crops and medication for animal stocks
16
Q
what percentage of greenhouse gas emissions are from animal agriculture
A
51%
17
Q
how much faster and factory animals forced to grow
A
X3 faster
18
Q
globally how many animals are bred for consumption
A
50 billion
19
Q
what do piglets have removed in factory farming
A
tails, testicles and teeth
20
Q
who was Peter Singer
A
an Australian philosopher and preference utilitarianist
21
Q
what did Peter Singer think about intensive farming
A
he said that this is speciesism as animals also have personalism as they can feel pain and suffer. Therefore he disagrees with intensive farming but says it would be ok to eat an animal in some circumstances like if you were starving
22
Q
name 5 ways intensive farming can have environmental damage
A
land damage
water pollution
climate change
energy use
health risks
23
Q
how does intensive farming cause land damage
A
deforestation to make room for livestock, loss of habitats, soil erosion
24
Q
how does intensive farming cause water pollution
A
heavy use of pesticides and fertilisers run off from soil in heavy rain and into water systems like rivers
25
how does intensive farming cause climate change
some cattle for example cows release huge amounts of greenhouse gases (methane) this enters the atmosphere and causes global warming and climate change
26
how does intensive farming cause energy use
mainly from fossil fuels, produce carbon emissions
27
how does intensive farming cause health risks
overuse of antibiotics lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria. threat to human and animal health
28
what is pig battery farming
pigs are put into gestation crates where they can't move or turn around. this is banned in the EU because of its cruelty and because it causes pigs to get psychosis
29
what is a quote from peter singer about the length of animal suffering
"their suffering isn't just for a few hours or days, but for their whole lives"
30
what are the 6 problems associated with intensive farming
industrial scale
housing
medication
diet
selective breeding
environmental impact
31
what is the problem with the industrial scale of intensive farming
animals are crammed together in vast numbers. pig farms with 10,000+ pigs, broiler farms with 100,000+ hens
32
what is the problem with the housing of intensive farming
animals are confined to solo tiny crates (gestation crates) of packed into sheds. This prevents normal behaviour as animals cannot exercise or interact properly with peers. this can lead to psychosis and animals may injure or kill each other
33
what is the problem with the medication used in intensive farming
animal are suffused with drugs such as antibiotics indiscriminately, this increases the likelihood of antibiotic resistant bacteria that can survive and spread. This can cause serious health issues in both humans and animals. Animals are also treated with growth hormones however this can serious affect their health and can make them unable to stand under their own weight
34
what is the problem with diet in intensive farming
factory farmed animals are fed all sorts of waste, included shredded plastic for fibre and slaughterhouse waste. This is banned in some places because it makes part of the animals unsuitable for human consumption and increases the risk of disease spread
35
what is the problem with selective breeding in intensive farming
animals can inherit severe problems when made t grow bigger and faster. one issue is that their bodies grow too big for their legs to support then they cannot get food or water and slowly die
36
what are the arguments for using animals for food
-humans have always eaten meat, why stop now
-its tradition to eat meat
-animals aren't sentient beings like humans
-eating meat is essential for survival
-ethical meat eating is possible
37
expand the argument for eating meat that 'humans have always eaten meat'
meat has been in the human diet for thousands of years
many think we have biologically evolved to process and live off a meat based diet
38
what is the response to the argument that 'humans have always eaten meat'
does that fact we have always eaten meat justify meat consumption at all points in history. is it ethical purely because its human tradition
38
expand the argument for eating meat that 'its tradition to eat meat'
we are often brought up from a young age to eat meat
our are bodies are so used to the taste and texture
so many of our traditions are based off eating meat (Christmas, thanksgiving)
39
expand the argument for eating meat that 'animals aren't sentient beings like humans'
animals don't have sentience at the same levels that humans do
so animals don't suffer like humans do, because they aren't aware of their surroundings
humans are entitled to meat due to their dominion over animals
39
what is the response to the argument that 'animals aren't sentient beings like humans' for eating meat
it is true that humans are top of the food chain, but does this morally justify the way we treat those below us
40
expand the argument for eating meat that ' eating meat is essential for human survival'
meat is an essential source of nutrients and calories for most of the human population
meat is a source of protein, fat, iron that the human body needs to survive
41
what is the response to the argument that 'eating meat is essential for survival'
do humans really need meat if we now can source these nutrients elsewhere
42
expand the argument for eating meat that 'eating ethical meat is possible'
environmental factors play a huge role in pro-vegan arguments
however there has been a move from mass farming practices to more sustainable farming in recent years
e.g. free range eggs, grass fed beef
43
what is the response to the argument ' eating ethical meat is possible'
even if you choose sustainable eco-friendly meat products, is doesn't change the fact that eating meat is wrong
44
what are the arguments against using animals for food
-animals are sentient and intelligent
-meat-eating is no longer sustainable
-livestock contribute massively to CO2 emissions
-plants can provide us with essential nutrients
-humans should take the moral high ground
45
expand the argument against eating meat that ' animals are sentient and intelligent'
while animals may jot have achieved the same level of community or civilisation as humans, this should not diminish their intelligence or ability to feel
animals feel pain, have memories and family connection
46
expand the argument against eating meat that ' meat eating is no longer sustainable'
the meat industry has been industrialised
the amount of land, food and water that is used in production could be used to produce a higher quantity of plant-food which give humans the same amount of nutrients
47
expand the argument against eating meat that 'livestock massively contributed to CO2 emissions'
methane gas is a by-product of raising animals and eating red meat has a large carbon footprint. this contributed to climate change and global warming
48
expand the argument against eating meat that 'plants can provide us with essential nutrients'
we have evolved to eat cooked meat and we have also evolved to eat plants
we are conditioned to consume meat but our bodies don't need meat to survive we can get all we need from plants
49
expand the argument against eating meat that 'humans should take the moral high ground'
if humans have dominion and are top of the food chain, shouldn't we make a moral decision to help our planet and our animals
rather than using our intelligence as aright to kill we should use it as a force for positive change.
50
what is xenotransplantation
organ transplantation between humans and animals
51
how many people are on the organ doner register
around 20 million
52
how many people die every year due to a shortage of organs
1000
53
how many people are on the national waiting list for an organ donation
7410
54
what are 4 arguments for xenotransplantation
-increases the number of organ sources
-new infectious agents are less likely with pigs
-would reduce organ shortages
-reduced risk of organ rejection
55
how is increased number of organ sources a pro of xenotransplantation
human organ transplants take time because it depends on available resources. Pig organs are readily available
56
how is new infectious agents being less likely with pig organs a pro of xenotransplantation
unlike other primates who carry the risk of disease transmission, pigs as they are closely related to humans and have been domesticated for generations are less likely
57
how is reduction of organ shortages a pro of xenotransplantation
shortage of organs account for 20-35% f deaths of people on the waiting list. Pig organs could be more readily available so reduce the waiting times
58
how is reduced risk of organ rejection a pro of xenotransplantation
the breeding of genetically modified pigs and new cloning techniques can reduce the risk of rejection. the genes are modified to ensure the organs can grow to be suitable for organ transplantation
59
what are the 4 arguments against xenotransplantation
-there have been no successful trials to date
-animals are sentient and intelligent beings
-it is cruel and diminishes the quality of life of the animals
-there is a high risk of transferring diseases
60
how is there have been no successful trials a con of xenotransplantation
there have been no successful trials to date because of the problems that arise in the immune system of the patient. the response is more extreme than human-human transplantation and causes rejection
61
how is animals are sentient and intelligent beings a con of xenotransplantation
people think it is wrong to raise animals with the soul purpose of harvesting their organs. They are intelligent and can have emotions and feel pain and sadness
62
how is cruelty and diminishing quality of life a con of xenotransplantation
raising animals with this soul purpose is cruel and gives them a limited quality of life as their whole purpose is to killed for the use of humans.
63
how is the risk of transferring diseases a con of xenotransplantation
there is a high risk of transferring diseases from animals to humans during organ transplantation. For example human contact with chimpanzee blood possibly transmitted an immune deficiency where it mutated into HIV then AIDs.
64
how are animals used in scientific procedures
-used to test the safety and efficacy of drugs in pre-clinical trials
-cloning : preserve endangered species, making them disease resistant
65
what are 4 arguments in favour of animals in scientific experiments
-medical advancements
-biological similarity
-safety testing
-scientific discovery
66
what are 5 arguments against using animals in scientific experiments
-ethical issues
-scientific limitations (animals don't react the same as humans
-alternative methods
-waste of resources
-moral considerations
67
what are the 3 Rs in scientific testing
reduction
refinement
replacement
68
what is reduction (3Rs)
reducing number of animals used
69
what is refinement (3Rs)
refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for to reduce their suffering
70
what is replacement (3Rs)
replacing experiments on animals with alternative techniques such as :
cell cultures
computer methods
71
what does Aquinas' NML think about using animals as food
animals are for human use so NML justifies using animals as food and it justifies intensive farming procedures
72
how does NML justify using animals as food
humanity has a greater importance than animals, animals were created for human use
humans have dominion over animals
the primary precepts do not apply to animals so they issue of an animals right to life is irrelevant
73
how was Aquinas inspired by Aristotle's hierarchy of souls in his justification of animals as food
humans are above animals in the hierarchy of souls so they have a greater importance. the rights of animals are subsumed under the rights of humans so they can be used in any way they wish
74
how may some Peter singer oppose Aquinas' justification of using animals as food
Peter singer believed animals have personhood. They are sentient creature with value therefore to say they're whole existence is to serve humans is irrational
75
what is a quote from Judith Barad about the value of aniamls
"an animal's capacities have value independent of their usefulness to human beings"
76
what does Aquinas' NML think about using animals in scientific procedures
It is acceptable to use animals in scientific procedures as animals have no greater use than being humans property. However he might disagree with some procedures such as cloning
77
why might Aquinas' NML disagree with animals being used in cloning
He would be concerned as it would change the nature of the animal, for example experiments to produce being that are part animal and part human. He would believe each species was created by God to fulfil it's purpose as that species so altering this is trying to play god. Genetic experimentation may be acceptable if it were for example to increase milk yield in cows or resistance to disease.
78
why might Aquinas' NML agree with animals being used in scientific research
the use of animals is not immoral as it could develop cures for human diseases, even if the animal may die. It would fulfil the primary precept to preserve (human) life
79
why would Aquinas say we should try not to be cruel with the animal
we should not be cruel to the animal not for their sake but because the person "might go on to do the same to men"
80
what is a quote from the CCC about medical and scientific experimentation
"medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice..... if it contributes to saving human lives"
81
what is a quote about NML and its value to catholics
"NML is the semi-official position of the Catholic church"
82
what does Aquinas' NML think about using animals as a source of organ transplants
Aquinas' would probably see no problem with animals being used as a source of organs however he would have an issue with xenotransplantation if it were to alter the human germline.
83
why may Aquinas' NML oppose xenotransplantation
it could be seen as an unnatural process if it were to alter the human germline as it would be a modification of God's blueprint for humans at creation.
84
what does germline mean
germline means inherited material that comes from the eggs or sperm that is passed on to offspring
85
what is a quote from the Catholic Medical Association about xenotransplantation
"we are opposed to any xenotransplantation which might modify the germline"
86
why may Aquinas' agree with animals being used as a source of organs
animals only have instrumental value, for the use of humans therefore the primary precepts don't apply to them. So it is fine to use animals as a source of organs as they have no right to life.
87
what does Aquinas' NML think about animals being used in blood sports
the use of animals in blood sports would be perfectly acceptable to Aquinas and offer little to no objections
88
why would Aquinas' NML allow blood sports
humans can use animals as they seem fit as they only possess instrumental value due to the hierarchy of souls. The pain and suffering inflicted upon animals is acceptable as it is part of that use. The primary precepts do not apply to animals so they have no right to life
89
how does the Catholic Church's opinion differ to Aquinas' when regarding blood sports
The catholic church approach is more reasonable then Aquinas'. They believe there is nothing kind about blood sports and they cause the animal to suffer and die needlessly. If animals are caused to die needlessly they can't fulfil there end created by God
90
how does the catholic church's views on stewardship oppose blood sports
humans were created to care for the planet not to needless kill and cause pain to animals. we should treat animals with kindness
91
what is a quote from the catholic church about human dignity regarding blood sports
"it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly"
92
what does Fletcher's situation ethics think about using animals as food
it would allow eating meat since no actions are intrinsically right or wrong
93
why would fletcher's situation ethics allow using animals as food
eating meat is not intrinsically wrong, there are different views on whether animals deserve agape, but the principle of personalism implies the need of humans override the suffering of animals in this situation. relativists say that it depend on the situation and that we should make an agapeic calculation
94
how can situation ethics justify intensive farming
there are millions of people around the world who are undernourished , the most loving thing would be to increase intensive farming and the mechanisation of agriculture as it puts humans first. The end goal of reducing hunger is more agapeic than reducing intensive farming
95
how many people globally are undernourished
795 million people
96
why do some situation ethicists disagree with intensive farming
-human need for food can be met by vegetarianism, it is not loving to kill an animal if it is not necessary
-meat industry contributed to human starvation, cattle consume about fifteen times more grain than they produce meat
97
what does Fletcher's situation ethics think about animals being used in scientific procedures
he agreed with animals being used in scientific procedures as the end goal is human welfare
98
why would fletcher's situation ethics allow the use of animals in scientific proceudres
-end goal is human welfare
-pragmatic way of saving human lives (developing vaccines, humans don't get ill off failed vaccine)
-animals testing for the greater good of human race
-some say need adequate pain relief for animals
99
why might some situation ethicists disagree with the use of animals in scientific procedures
-it can never be loving to subject animals to the kind of pain and suffering that occurs as a result of animal testing
-although pain relief for animals can be extensive it is often disputed
100
what would a situation ethicist think about animal cloning
fletcher himself was involved in cloning so clearly supported it. although the general opinion is not in favour of animal cloning, SE does not attempt to provide 'right' answers so it is up to the individual and their opinion
101
what would Fletcher's situation ethics think about the use of animals in organ transplantation
does not give an answer of yes or no, it relies on individual agapeistic judgements
102
why might some situation ethicists disagree with xenotransplantation
agapeic calculus needs to be made, need to consider the possibility of transmitting diseased and the ethical considerations
some argue that animals do qualify as persons due to their cognitive functions
humans could be the only pragmatic source of organs
102
why might some situation ethicists agree with xenotransplantation
SE is directed at persons, for most people animals don't qualify s persons so agape does not apply to them.
may be able to save humans lives which is a justifacation
103
what would Fletcher's situation ethics think about the use of animals in blood sports
most situation ethicists would mot put the interests of human before the animal species in cases where human pleasure is gained from animal suffering
104
why might a situation ethicist disagree with blood sports
there is nothing agapeic about blood sports
the nature of humans is said to degrade if they take part in blood sports
can lead to other forms of violence and justify allowing people to inflict pain for pleasure
105
why might some situation ethicists potentially allow blood sports
fox-hunting could be agapeic
foxes repeatedly do damage to stocks of chicken and lamb, it is also less unloving than factory farming and could preserve the environment
106
what would virtue ethics think about using animals as food
no problem with eating meat
107
why would virtue ethics agree with using animals as food
-in hierarchy of souls animals are below humans so humans can do what they wat with animals
-their final end is to serve human needs
-he did not view animals as having any rights
108
what would a virtue ethicist think about intensive farming
-the practices of intensive farming are incompatible with being a virtuous person
-using intensive framing to make large profits could encourage the vice of greed
-the appalling conditions cannot be described as compassionate
-if you are compassionate it would apply to both humans and non-humans
109
why may some virtue ethicists agree with intensive farming
virtues must be directed towards persons and not towards animals, humans can do what they wish with animals
(but at what point in intensive farming can you develop any virtues)
110
what would a virtue ethicist think about the use of animals in scientific procedures
Aristotle carried out research using animals so he thought that it was compatible with a virtuous character
111
why would a virtue ethicist agree with the use of animals in scientific procedures
Aristotle insisted that the highest thing in humans is our intelligence
using animals in science can help further our knowledge and develop the virtue of intellect
the benefits of scientific research in healthcare is virtuous as it can help save human lives and these have priority over animal
112
why may some virtue ethicists disagree with the use of animals in scientific research
-the way some researchers use animals is cruel as they do not care about the suffering of the animal
-it is not compassionate at all as it is obviously done without the consent of the animal
-there are alternative techniques that can be just as effective
113
why did Rosalind Hursthouse disagree with the use of animals in scientific procedures
-experiments on other animals are generally not necessary
-the benefits of the experiments are out of proportion with the suffering they cause
114
what is a quote from Rosalind Hursthouse about apply virtue ethics to the treatment of animals
"the exercise of compassion and the avoidance of a number of vices involved focusing on the good of other animals"
115
what would virtue ethics think about the use of animals in cloning
cloning is also compatible with being virtuous as it can improve the health of humans which refelects the virtue of compassion
116
what would a virtue ethicist think about the use of animals in organ transplantation
would agree with xenotransplantation, most of the arguments about animals in scientific research also apply here
117
why would a virtue ethicist agree with xenotransplantation
-aristotles approval of scientific research
-development of knowledge
-compassion to humans that survive the transplant and can live a longer life
-
118
why may some virtue ethicists disagree with xenotransplantation
the callousness to animals by exploiting them and viewing their lives as expendable
some in society are distressed about the prospect of animals being used in this way
119
what would a virtue ethicist think about the use of animals in blood sports
hard to justify blood sports in virtue ethics as it promotes many vices however Aristotle may of agreed with blood sports as this was common in ancient Greek society
120
why may a virtue ethicist disagree with the use of animals in blood sports
by using animal suffering as a form of entertainment it shows a lack of temperance, sensitivity and compassion
also a lack of consideration for humans who may be offended by blood sports
