The term animal rights is used to describe the idea that "lower" animals deserve, and in fact have, at least the basic rights given to all people (ie.: the right to live, the right to freedom of will, the right to humane treatment...ect). These basic living rights have always been present for all creatures (including humans), they are not "earned," "allowed," or, in any other manner, "granted" by some superior culture to the inferior breeds. These rights are suppressed by oppressive cultures, regardless of the species. Slavery, in any form, is a perfect example. One person owning another is as unnatural as a person owning any other creature (or the earth itself). We are not The Creator; we do not reserve the right to posses a life, in any form. Other animals may be placed in our care, creating a partnership between pets (as your dog quite possibly refers to you in the same manner you refer to it). This is the basic tenet underlying the philosophy of "Animal Rights." One thing many people seem to forget is that human beings are, in fact, animals. It can be asserted, then, that the struggle for animal rights is indeed the struggle for human rights as well.
Some question the validity of such an argument based on the idea that human-kind is somehow "better" than other animals. These people point to the existence of culture to back up their claims. They emphasize the ability of humans to reason. They use their religious beliefs as undeniable proof that humans are superior and have been given free reign to use other animals for their own human purposes. These people use their laziness as a reason, because they would have to significantly change their lifestyles in order to erradicate their dependency on other animals. They stress the advances modern society has acheived as a result of human use of other animals. These are the arguments against animal rights.
Regarding the idea that the human animal is "better" than any other animal...of course humans would think we are better! We are the humans! It is so much easier to think that we are better than to admit another species could be more advanced. The human species has numerous flaws. Humans do not have the speed of a cheetah, the agility of a gazelle, the strength of an elephant, the eyesight of a hawk...ect. (One religion even promotes the idea that the next Messiah will be in the form of an orca whale...) Humans have incredible intellect. We are able to make up for these short-comings through the use of tools and creative solutions. Instead of being forced to adapt to our environment, the human animal is the only creature able to adapt their surroundings to fit the human! But, with all our intellectual genius, we cannot seem to understand the importance of not polluting our own environment, we cannot begin to comphrehend what our own species has done to the climate of this planet. If humans were really "all that," surely we could exist peacefully with each other...those creative solutions at work you know. If human animals really are the "best" species, that is.
There is undeniable proof that other primates have aquired a primitive culture. This fact has been researched for years, and it has been asserted that primates have a distinct dialect and behave differently within the same species, depending upon where the individual group is located. Oops. Human animals are not the only animal to have a culture after all. If nothing else, at least the other primates should have the same rights as humans. (Oragutan Culture; Primate Culture Overview)
Religion has always been a conveinent theology to lean on when scientific facts do not support one's claims. Certain religions claim that other animals are under human control. This is probably due to the fact that, once again, humans form their own religions...so of course their God would decree them to be superior! Religious arguments are for the weak-minded who cannot find enough scientific fact to support their claims. PeTA is much calmer regarding this issue, so if you would like some more information regarding the Christian faith and AR issues, please Click Here.
It is incredibly difficult to avoid using other animals in our "modern," convenience-heightened society. The American culture especially is guilty of this extravagant lifestyle. We eat off styrofoam plates. We do not recycle nearly as much as we could. Most people don't even bother to check the ingredients of their daily household items to find out if they are using products tested on animals to clean their floors, dishes, hair or faces. Apathy is a huge problem in American culture. If it takes too much effort, if it is too much of an inconvenience, if it is not on sale, if it does not somehow directly benefit us (immediately)...we don't want to bother with it. I could rant for ages on this subject...and probably will in a future link.
It is true that animal research and experimentation has yeilded an undeniable wealth of scientific research. However, the outcome, no matter how favorable it may be, does not always justify the method used. During the pre-Civil War era, numerous roads were paved using slave labor. The roads are obviously good, and it would be stupid to tear them out just because the poor people who built them were mistreated. However, their existance does not justify slavery. Instead, the sacrifices of those souls should be remembered each and every time we drive on those hard-earned streets. Similarly, I am very glad that the United States is in existance, but I am saddened and ashamed of the way my government treated the native peoples who lived here before me. I won't stop living here because the land was ill-gotten a hundred years ago...but I will remember and grieve for the brave peoples who were driven from the prairies every time I look out at the Scott's Bluff National Monument, Chimney Rock, or the simple image of a herd of deer crossing the highway at dusk. The atrocities have already been committed. We cannot take back the past, but we should remember for the future. How many Draize Tests, Lethal Dose Tests, and other experimentational methods must be used before we acknowledge that people are a different species...the tests do not apply. Results are skewed and anything of value learned is purely accidental.
--Professor Peter Singer
Animal Liberation