Nowadays, animals play a crucial role in the ecosystem. However, there is a growing sentiment among some people that animals should not be exploited by humans and that they should be granted the same rights as humans. On the other hand, others argue that humans must use animals to fulfill various needs, such as food and research. I will discuss both perspectives and provide my opinion in the following paragraphs.
Advocates of animal rights emphasize that animals, like humans, should be entitled to certain fundamental rights. They assert that authorities should enact laws to protect wildlife. For instance, some countries have designated national animals, such as the tiger in India and the bison in the USA, as symbols of national pride. Moreover, there are laws in place in some nations to prevent the hunting of wildlife for recreational purposes. An example of this is the legislative action taken in the USA following a report on the hunting of endangered species, leading to the implementation of laws against such activities.
Conversely, while research is undoubtedly important, proponents of animal use in research may be overlooking the ethical concerns related to animal killing. It is possible to conduct research on animals that have died naturally, thereby avoiding the need to take the lives of living creatures. Furthermore, the consumption of animals as a daily food source poses potential dangers to human health, as many deadly viruses may be harbored within animals. For instance, the COVID-19 virus, identified in 2020, spread globally and claimed millions of lives over the course of two years.
In conclusion, while research is essential, the practice of killing animals for this purpose is ethically questionable. In my opinion, it is imperative for governments to enact legislation to protect animals