ANIMAL RIGHTS

The British are said to be fond of animals. For many of them a dog or a cat is part of the family and must be well looked after.

Large sums of money are spent on veterinary bills and pet food. A trip to a supermarket will reveal whole aisles dedicated to our animal friends.

However, in the same supermarket, you can find battery chickens which have been factory farmed in cramped conditions and injected with antibiotics to contain disease, growth hormones to fatten them for market and tranquillizers to stop them from going mad.

Aware of the contradictions in their treatment of animals and the risks of mad cow disease, many British people are turning to vegetarian diets. Some have joined animal rights groups and have taken part in protests against the meat trade, especially the export of live animals for slaughter overseas.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Many vegetarians believe that factory farming is a cruel and unnecessary practice and that our diets would be healthier if we ate less meat. Do you agree?

2. Animal rights protesters argue that the export of live animals for slaughter is uncivilized and should be prohibited under international law. Do you agree?

3. "Keeping animals in zoos and circuses to entertain human-beings is selfish and inhumane." Do you agree?

4. Bullfighting, fox-hunting and whale-hunting are part of some countries’ traditions. Do you think that Spain, England and Japan have a right to continue these traditions?

5. "The British spend far too much money on household pets. They would do better to have fewer cats and dogs and to use the money to help poor and hungry people." What do you think?

6. Would you ever wear a fur coat?

7. Is it right to use animals for medical research or to test cosmetics?

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