Modern urban life cuts us off from direct connection with the animal world, yet daily the lives of millions of animals are affected by what we consume and wear and what we trade in. The use of animals for food, labour and pleasure pursuits has long been justified with the assumption that unlike humans, animals aren't fully sentient beings. In recent years, however, science has revealed an astonishing array of complex animal behaviour, and scientists and policy makers now accept that the animals we make use of are indeed conscious, with preferences and intentions. The implications for our culture of factory farming, fast food and rainforest liquidation are staggering. In this powerful book, internationally renowned experts on animal behaviour and agriculture such as Jane Goodall, Tim Lang and Vandana Shiva are brought together with ethicists, religious scholars, international industry and regulators for the first time to debate these critical issues and tackle the profound implications of animal sentience.
?
The first sections discuss scientific and ethical perspectives on the consciousness, emotions and mental abilities of animals. Later sections address how human activities such as science, law, religion, farming, food production, trade, development and education respect or ignore animals' sentience and welfare, and review the options for changes in our policies, our practices and our thinking. The result is nothing less than a stark and necessary look into the heart of humanity and the ethics that govern our animal powered society.
Part I: Animal Sentience: Evidence and Interpretations
The Sentience of Chimpanzees and Other Animals
The Distribution of the Capacity for Sentience in the Animal Kingdom
Animal Emotions and Animal Sentience and Why They Matter: Blending 'Science Sense' with Common Sense, Compassion and Heart
Animal Welfare: What is the Role of Science?
Part II: Ethics, Law and Science
Educating Scientists About Ethics
What Prevents Us From Recognizing Animal Sentience?
Sentience and Rights
Entitling Non-human Animals to Fundamental Legal Rights on the Basis of Practical Autonomy
Animal Welfare Legislation in China: Public Understanding and Education
The Evolving Animal Rights and Welfare Debate in China: Political and Social Impact Analysis
Islamic Philosophy on Animal Rights
The Ethical Matrix as a Decision-making Tool, with Specific Reference to Animal Sentience
Part III: Implications for Farming and Food Production
Ideals and Realities: What Do We Owe to Farm Animals?
Animal Sentience in US Farming
McDonald's: Progressing Global Standards in Animal Welfare
Respecting Animal Sentience in Organic Farming
The Welfare of Animals Bred for Their Fur in China
The Implications of Agricultural Globalization in India
Sustainable Development and Animal Welfare: The Neglected Dimension
Part 4 Animal Sentience in International Policy
Outlawed in Europe: Animal Protection Progress in the European Union
Why China is Waking Up to Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare and Economic Development: A Financial Institution
The International Animal Welfare Role of the Office International des Épizooties: The World Organization for Animal Health
Achieving Access to Ethical Food: Animal and Human Health Come Together
Conclusion
Jacky Turner is a freelance researcher and writer working on animal welfare. Joyce D'Silva is the former Chief Executive and current Ambassador for Compassion in World Farming Trust and is the co-editor of The Meat Business, also published by Earthscan.
Published with Compassion in World Farming Trust