3. Chapter 6. Human Use of Non-Human Animals – a Biologist's View Keywords: agency; animal rights; Caenorhabditis elegans ; commodification; diversity; GM; moral status; research; vertebrate; worm
4. Chapter 6. Human Use of Non-Human Animals – a Biologist's View Decisions about the moral status of animals are very complex. In many traditions, exploitation of animals is allied with respect for them.
5. Chapter 6. Human Use of Non-Human Animals – a Biologist's View Thus in the Christian tradition, the sparrows sold in the market place are also seen as God's creatures.
6. Chapter 6. Human Use of Non-Human Animals – a Biologist's View So, is it acceptable to treat animals as commodities and if so, what actions are permissible?
7. Chapter 6. Human Use of Non-Human Animals – a Biologist's View The author's research subject is a nematode worm and he carries out procedures on the worm that seem morally acceptable, but perhaps would not do so if carried out on a vertebrate.
8. Chapter 6. Human Use of Non-Human Animals – a Biologist's View In common with others, the author suggests that concern for animal welfare should increase with the complexity of the nervous system and thus the degree of sentience and agency and the extent to which suffering can be experienced.
9. Chapter 6. Human Use of Non-Human Animals – a Biologist's View This does not necessarily prohibit research on higher animals but should give cause for caution; respect for the subject should always be maintained.
Editor's Notes
Keywords: agency; animal rights; Caenorhabditis elegans ; commodification; diversity; GM; moral status; research; vertebrate; worm Summary Decisions about the moral status of animals are very complex. In many traditions, exploitation of animals is allied with respect for them. Thus in the Christian tradition, the sparrows sold in the market place are also seen as God's creatures. So, is it acceptable to treat animals as commodities and if so, what actions are permissible? The author's research subject is a nematode worm and he carries out procedures on the worm that seem morally acceptable, but perhaps would not do so if carried out on a vertebrate. In common with others, the author suggests that concern for animal welfare should increase with the complexity of the nervous system and thus the degree of sentience and agency and the extent to which suffering can be experienced. This does not necessarily prohibit research on higher animals but should give cause for caution; respect for the subject should always be maintained.
