Most Americans use animals not only via the tests done for cosmetics, but even more extensively as a primary part of their diet. Many animals suffer greatly on factory farms.
Be sure to address the following questions in your analysis: What obligations, if any, do we have to animals?
Do animals have rights? If so, then in what sense--in the weak sense (Singer or even weaker with Warren) or in the strong sense (Regan)? If you do not think that animals have rights, then why not? If you think that
animals do not have rights because they lack certain abilities such as the ability to reason (Kant), then how do you account for our responsibilities to infants or mentally deficient humans? Do they have rights? Why or why not? Defend your position against possible objections. You should consider objections to your position likely to be raised by Kant, Singer, Regan, or Warren. It will also be important to think through how those with different histories, values, beliefs, and cultural practices will be impacted by what you argue is right or wrong when it comes to how we treat animals. This includes not simply thinking about animal farmers or those who rely on
animals in cultural rituals, but also reflecting on the positions of those whose religious traditions entail that
causing suffering to animals is a violation of the sacred and future generations who must deal with the
environmental impacts of our choices. As you write, assume that the reader is already familiar with the facts
about the Draize Eye Test listed above and with the information about animals and diet on the fact sheet.
Focus upon what our moral obligations are with respect to animals and why.
Sample Solution