Creatures — Great And Equal?
Animal rights activists have made enormous changes in the way society views animals, in areas such as reduction of animal testing in cosmetics, promoting vegetarianism, creating a stigma against fur clothing, challenging the use of animals in research and forcing the tuna industry to save dolphins. A Los Angeles Times poll of 1612 Americans found that 47% of adults agreed that animals feel pain, act with altruism, talk, suffer and fear, while 51% disagreed with this premise. There are several major areas of continued focus, including research, vegetarianism, fur, pets and youth.
Major successes have been made in the field of animal research, but the range of views within the movement is extreme. Two thirds of Nobel Prizes awarded since 1901 involved discoveries resulting from the use of animals, including heart bypass surgery, and treatments for tuberculosis, smallpox, cholera, arthritis, mumps and polio. Animal protectionists view themselves of movement witch hunting and believe that the power of wealth is behind federal probes.
Scientists and protections alike are finding themselves more in agreement on the idea of animals as a source of food, due to health concerns.
Although there is general movement away from the wearing of fur, it continues to show up in fashion magazines, etc. Although fur has now become a stigma, there is doubt if Americans are ready to give up leather.
There is some sentiment among few that pets are a form of slavery, and the value of mixed breed dogs is becoming more prevalent.
Animal activists view the young as the most likely to accelerate change, the Times Poll showed those age 18-29 as the most likely to oppose hunting and fur. 61% believe that animals are like people in important ways, compared to the overall population measure of 47%.
Specific survey questions ask: “Do you think laws protecting animals form inhumane treatment in our society?”
- Too far (17%)
- Not far enough (30%)
- Adequate (46%)
- Don’t know (7%)
“Animals are just like humans in important ways.”
- Agree (47%)
- Disagree (51%)
- Don’t’ know (2%)
“Do you generally favor or oppose the wearing of clothes made of animal furs?”
- Favor (35%)
- Oppose (50%)
- Don’t know (15%)
“Do you generally favor or oppose the hunting of animals for sport?”
- Favor (41%)
- Oppose (54%)
- Don’t’ know (5%)