http://www.debate.org/debates/?order=1&sort=&member=cmmj1004 Customize this RSS feed by going to http://www.debate.org/rss/ en-us 2013-05-18T06:24:18-08:00 2013-05-18T06:24:18-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/experiment-on-non-human-animals-to-develop-products-and-medicines-that-benefit-human-beings/1/ (Voting Period) Experiments on animals should be considered on a case-by-case basis. The proper principle to apply, however, is that the reduction of human suffering is our first priority and the prevention of animal suffering or death is secondary to that (although still important). So that if there is a decent chance that an experiment will result in an important medical breakthrough that will reduce human suffering and death then it is justifiable to allow animal suffering. Animal experimentation is the (sometimes distasteful) means to much greater ends. http://www.debate.org/debates/experiment-on-non-human-animals-to-develop-products-and-medicines-that-benefit-human-beings/1/comments/ 2008-02-14T21:57:08-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Should-we-stop-eating-other-animals-What-are-the-moral-environmental-and-health-issues-involved/1/ (Voting Period) The main reason to be a vegetarian is to reduce animal suffering. Farm animals such as chickens, pigs, sheep, and cows are sentient living beings like us - they are our evolutionary cousins and like us they can feel pleasure and pain. It is wrong to farm and kill these animals for food when we do not need to do so. The methods of farming and slaughter of these animals are often barbaric and cruel - even on supposedly 'free range' farms. Also, in most countries, animals farmed for food are not covered by animal welfare laws that protect other animals. http://www.debate.org/debates/Should-we-stop-eating-other-animals-What-are-the-moral-environmental-and-health-issues-involved/1/comments/ 2008-02-18T15:53:16-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Do-non-human-animals-have-rights/1/ (Voting Period) Human beings are complex evolved creatures who are accorded rights on the basis that they are able to think and to feel pain. Many other animals are also able to think (to some extent) and are certainly able to feel pain. Therefore non-human animals should also be accorded rights, e.g. to a free and healthy life. And also, ever since the publication of Charles Darwin's Origin of Species in 1859 we have known that human beings are related by common descent to all other animals. We owe a duty of care to our animal cousins. http://www.debate.org/debates/Do-non-human-animals-have-rights/1/comments/ 2008-02-23T23:55:42-08:00