This is the first book of case studies on animal ethics. It deals with important social controversies involving the human use of animals and analyses the moral issues involved. An excellent introduction to ethical theory provides a framework to the 16 original case studies, which include the use of animals in research, testing, and education, as food, as companion animals, and in religious rites.

The Human Use of Animals reports the facts about some of the most compelling and difficult issues about animal welfare that confront society today. Fully revised and with four new chapters, the 16 case studies in the present volume explore a variety of controversies about the human uses of animals that have emerged over the last 40 years or so. The book begins with a lengthy exploration of applicable ethical theory. It then presents the facts of the 16 cases, followed in each case by analysis of pertinent theoretical and practical ethical issues. This volume offers a discussion of controversies within a range of contexts that includes biomedical, behavioural, and wildlife research, cosmetic safety testing, education, entertainment (zoos and circuses), the food industry, commerce, companion animals and animal uses in religious practices.

This volume is a collection of chapters all contributed by individuals who have presented their ideas at conferences and who take moderate stands with the use of animals in research. Specifically the chapters bear of the issues of: notions of the moral standings of animals, history of the methods of argumentation, knowledge of the animal mind, nature and value of regulatory structures, how respect for animals can be converted from theory to action in the laboratory. The chapters have been tempered by open discussion with individuals with different opinions and not audiences of true believers. It is the hope of all, that careful consideration of the positions in these chapters will leave reader with a deepened understanding--not necessarily a hardened position.