Question: A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
The matter of animal exploitation has long been discussed all over the world. While it is true that the use of animals serves many purposes, I believe they should not be put in misery for the sake of humans’ benefits.
Advocates of animal exploitation often argue that animals provide a great source of nourishment, which is essential for the human body. Meat has been scientifically proven to be physically beneficial, comprising of various nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, and protein. Protein in particular ,which could be found largely in red meat, is a key nutrient for muscle development and strength building. Animals are also be of great benefit for scientific research. In fact, without being tested on animals, many vaccines against fatal diseases might not be authorized, hence the potential loss of many lives.
However, I believe that it is ethically unjustifiable for humans to make animals suffer since animals also have rights. They are born as living creatures, and therefore should enjoy lives of freedom rather than of constant fear and pain in laboratories. Also, the practice of meat eating is not vital for health as some argue. People now have a wide variety of food choices, which indicates that meat is not obligatory. Thus, killing animals for the taste of their flesh while there are a number of other equally nutritious foods could be deemed an act of immorality and inhumanity.
To sum up, living creatures other than humans should be treated with respect rather than being exploited or slaughtered. They are unable to speak for themselves, and thus it is humans who should do that.