Animal Quote by Peter Singer
“Typically, defenders of experiments on animals do not deny that animals suffer. They cannot deny the animals' suffering, because they need to stress the similarities between humans and other animals in order to claim that their experiments may have some relevance for human purposes. The experimenter who forces rats to choose between starvation and electric shock to see if they develop ulcers (which they do) does so because the rat has a nervous system very similar to a human being's, and presumably feels an electric shock in a similar way.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Animal Liberation by Peter Singer, 1975
Animal research is justified by emphasizing biological similarity, but this overlooks the moral weight of animal suffering.
In simple terms: Animal testing uses similarity to ignore suffering.
Key Takeaway
Consider alternatives to animal testing.
Themes
ethics
animal rights
science
suffering
human-animal similarity
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research ethics committees
- pharmaceutical development
- laboratory protocols
- public policy
Key Concepts
Utilitarianism
moral philosophy
biological similarity
Questions to Reflect On
- Is similarity enough to justify harm?
- What alternatives could replace animal testing?
A Different Perspective
The argument can be challenged by emphasizing intrinsic animal rights regardless of similarity.
![“Nineteen thousand children [are] dying every day. Does it really matter that we're not walking past them in the street? Does it really matter that they're far away? I don't think it does make a morally relevant difference.” quote by Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cc1/peter-singer-1001_children_nineteen-thousand-children-are-dying-eve_33961.jpg)
