Treatment of Animals
After finishing second in the May 2008 Kentucky Derby, Eight Belles was euthanized on the track when she shattered her two front ankles. This event has renewed discussion about problems within the thoroughbred horse racing industry: steroid use which results in faster but more fragile horses, unsafe racing surfaces, and the toll that occurs from the grind of day-to-day training. An animal rights activist from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), who oppose any and all human use of animals was quoted as saying people who love animals do not drug, whip and race them to death. This type of debate is heard concerning the treatment of all animals. The Humane Society of the United States advocates for animal welfare, urging stronger laws preventing cruelty and requiring humane treatment. An example of this is their tireless campaign against puppy mills, where mass production of purebred and designer dogs takes place, followed by the killing of dogs once they can no longer reproduce. Attitudes towards animals raise numerous issues. What reforms are necessary in the racing world? Should medications to promote speed in horses be allowed? Should animal experimentation be permitted? Do the benefits for humans that result from animal research research outweigh the suffering of individual animals? What is the fundamental relationship between human beings and nonhuman animals? (Prepared May 2008)
Suggested Reading:
Journal and newspaper articles will discuss this topic. The database Issues and Controversies@ Facts.com offers a thorough discussion of animal testing. Enter the keywords animal rights in the searchbox. Many newspaper articles discussing this topic can be found in ProQuest National Newspapers.
Locating Articles
Books will also provide information on this topic. In our collection you will find the book Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions edited by Cass R. Sunstein and Martha C. Nussbaum, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 2004. Call number: HV4708.A56 2004. Another title that would be helpful on this topic is Animal Ethics by Robert Garner, Malden, MA: Polity Press, 2005. Call number: HV4708.G37 2005.
Locating Books
Cloned Food
On January 15th, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared that food from lab-grown farm animals and their offspring is safe for human consumption. Their conclusion, coming after seven years of study, stated that meat and milk from cloned animals were as safe to eat as food from conventionally bred animals. This scientific approval is not likely to foster public acceptance , nor allay the publics fears concerning cloning technology and its introduction into our food supply. Will consumption of meat and milk from cloned animals pose health risks? Are cloned animals more susceptible to disease? Should the federal government regulate labelling food products to alert shoppers if a cloned animal was involved? Are consumers assured that products from clones, or their offspring, are not already in the food supply? What potential benefits would the world reap as a result of the ability to routinely clone animals, aside from increased food production? (Prepared February 2008)
Suggested Reading:
Journal and newspaper articles will discuss this topic. In the database Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, select "Cloning" from the "Popular Topics List" on the homepage. This will provide you with a comprehensive collection of journal, magazine and news articles relating to this subject. You can also enter the keywords "cloned food" in the basic search box.
Many newspaper articles discussing this topic can be found in
ProQuest National Newspapers.
Locating Articles
Books will also provide information on this topic. In our collection you will find the book Cloning: Responsible Science or Technomadness edited by Michael Ruse & Aryne Sheppard, Amherst, N.Y.: 2001. Call number: QH442.2.C5678 2001.
Locating Books
