The sad fact, however, is that such moral stances have been used to justify slavery for thousands of years. Same thing with women being bought and sold like cattle. These practices are only newly abandoned. I do think there should be ethicists working to really examine why people do (or do not) deserve certain rights.
Now, OBVIOUSLY I do not condone slavery or any type of ownership over people. But, in a way, chickens and even pets are our slaves now.
My point is only that just because modern people are repulsed by the idea of someone owning another person, that is not a valid jumping off point for moral debate. I do think there valid reasons for such ownership to be considered unethical, the problem is that the same moral stands most likely apply to some animals as well.

by LadyFriend on 06/28/2009 01:01:41 PM EST

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