Do Animals Have Rights?

Abstract

Do animals have moral rights? An affirmative answer follows from the best justification for human rights that we can give. The moral status not only of humans but also of animals consists in an egalitarian right to have rights. From this equal status, however, substantially equal rights follow only if the morally relevant interests are equal. A reasonably broad and differentiated understanding of our own, human animal nature reveals which interests we share with many other animals. Thus, sentient animals have basic rights to life and well-being, including volitional activities and access to beneficial social relationships. Further rights arise from special human–animal relationships that are also politically relevant. By subjecting animals and, thus, making them existentially dependent on us, we owe them more than mere protection and help in easily remediable emergencies. We thereby also assume associative duties, as they exist among fellow citizens. Therefore, we should open our understanding of the common good to the reality of species-mixed communities and represent animals politically.

Barriers toward xenotransplantation in Arab World

“…Another important standing point is the issue of animal “use” and “abuse,” and the possible genetic modification of the organs 26 . Some studies claim that animals must be respected as organisms’ worthy of their lives, and are not less important than humans, nor allowed to be used in favor of human lives 27 . Moreover, xenotransplantation crosses boundaries between species and may alter the normal genetic flow, resulting in changes in the natural ecological system 28 .…”