I dislike this whole business of experimentation on…
““I dislike this whole business of experimentation on animals, unless there's some very good and altogether exceptional reason to this very case. The thing that gets me is that it's not possible for the animals to understand why they are being called upon to suffer. They don't suffer for their own good or benefit at all, and I often wonder how far it's for anyone's. They're given no choice, and there is no central authority responsible for deciding whether what's done is morally justifiable. These experiment animals are just sentient objects; they're useful because they are able to react; sometimes precisely because they're able to feel fear and pain. And they're used as if they were electric light bulbs or boots. What it comes to is that whereas there used to be human and animal slaves, now there are just animal slaves. They have no legal rights or choices in the matter.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Animal experimentation is criticized for lacking consent, moral justification, and legal rights, equating animals to objects used for human benefit.
In simple terms: Animal testing lacks consent and moral justification.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for ethical alternatives to animal testing.
Themes
ethics
animal rights
science
morality
justice
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- laboratory research
- policy making
- public advocacy
- education
Key Concepts
bioethics
animal welfare
research methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- Can alternatives replace animal testing effectively?
- What responsibilities do scientists have toward sentient beings?
A Different Perspective
Scientific progress may be hindered without animal models.