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Answering Arguments Against Animal Rights |
| Part XI -- Argument Eight: We own the animals we raise |
Argument eight: we own the animals we raise.
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This argument against animals states that when we breed animals or refrain
from destroying their habitat, we own the animals which are then born.
Because, if it weren't for us, these animals would never have been born
at all. Since these animals owe their very existence to humans, goes this argument,
humans have every right to do with them as they please.
For example: Rush Limbaugh states that though he agrees that trapping is cruel,
raising animals for their fur is perfectly okay.
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This is another inconsistent argument -- unless we also say that it is okay to use
and abuse the human children that we raise: for they too owe their very existence to us.
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A related argument against animals states that the best way to preserve a species
is to allow humans to use the animals as a resource. As soon as people have a
monetary stake in the survival of a species, goes this argument, they will act to
ensure that the species does not become extinct.
History contradicts this argument. Human greed has driven animals -- viewed as a resource --
to extinction.
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Elephants have long been used as a resource for their ivory. They are facing
extinction now due to this fact.
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Whales have also been driven to the brink of extinction due to their monetary value.
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The mountain gorilla was very nearly erased due to the monetary value of
their hands which were used as ashtrays!
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The gorillas still exist today thanks to Dian Fossey: an animal advocate
who gave her life protecting them. She is an example of the type of fight we
must wage to save the animals from those who would use them as a resource.
Appealing to people's greed is not an effective way to ensure the
survival of a species.
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