I found the documentary we listened to in class to be extremely powerful and really made me consider the ethics of animals testing. I do not think I will ever find myself a part of the Animal Liberation Front, however, I definitely think I can do my part to dissuade companies from using animal testing by picking products that are cruelty-free when given the option. Some things, such as medicines if I am sick I will take regardless of if they have been tested on animals, but it is so easy to change your choice of shampoo and conditioner, it just seems like a no-brainer. I was wondering if anyone else had tips for avoiding animal tested products when possible?
Here are a few resources if anyone else is interested in switching out their products for companies that are cruelty free:
http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/index.aspx
http://www.peta.org.uk/living/easy-way-go-cruelty-free/
http://kb.rspca.org.au/How-can-I-reduce-or-avoid-animal-testing_56.html
I think this is the most logical approach. Instead of condemning all animal testing, which could in a number of cases cause net utilitarian loss (disease/health research in which living organisms is essential), only condemn the research which harms animals at little utilitarian benefit to society at large (research for cosmetics, disease/health research in which living organisms AREN'T essential, etc.)
ReplyDeleteBut there's also the fact that the furthering of the capitalist systems provides its own unique set of utilitarian benefits to society. The marketing & research for inessential products provide capitalist benefits. It is a source of labor, capital, income and THUS utility&happiness.
Our current economic system has its faults in its holding overwhelming priority on capitalistic gains, but ultimately I'm not going to go as far as to condemn it. Honestly, despite its faults, we don't have a better replacement to capitalism. Empirically, capitalism is the BEST economic system that we know of. It has its faults but its the best we've got for now.
That's what I think about that.