: : : We do not have the RIGHT to do this, only the POWER. : : Only a fool can believe that there are such things as objective "rights".
: Where'd you find that, in a fortune cookie?
: I suppose you mean that rights are developed and granted, or withdrawn, by people. In many ways, I agree with that. On the other hand, I also believe that we (and that includes animals) are all born free, and that when human beings take possession of animals, deny them liberty, and use them as we please, it is nothing less than slavery.
: Other animals may kill animals, but they do so to survive, and as far as we know, they also have no moral choice in the matter. We humans have that choice, and when we exercise it to harm or kill animals when it is not absolutely necessary, we are making an immoral choice.
So who determines necessity? Is it necessary to test a possible new product before putting it out on the market to cure an illness? Absolutely.
Do we begin by testing humans first? I don't think so. Not if the medicine will be used on me. I'll sacrifice my dog or cat -- NOT my wife or children -- first.
Testing on the animal first is a necessity. Testing on my family first is not.
