動物權利為何如此重要？

Why is animal rights necessary？

As we do， they protect their children； they feel fear； they warn each other of dangers； they play.

We might differ from other animals in some ways， but that doesnt give us the right to chase them down， take their lands， pollute their waters， or use them for our conveniences.

Animals also experience pain and distress. Its not difficult to observe signs of pain in the way a conscious being reacts to it—including one who isnt human.

Humans cause suffering and pain for animals when we enslave them to pull our carts or bear young for us to buy and sell， or in any way force them to live a life outside of their nature and habitat.

Animal rights teaches us to reject violence， to not see others as instruments to our own ends， to stop taking advantage.

We take advantage， cause distress， and act unfairly when we use animals for amusement.

We have forced them to do tricks in circuses and carnivals. We have taken them from their homes and gawked11） at them in zoos. We have drugged， injured， and even killed them in races， rodeos12）， bullfights， cockfights and dogfights. We have needlessly stalked13） and killed them to eat， or just for sport.

And lots of pets are abandoned on the streets or discarded in pounds14） （where they are often killed） when their owners no longer find it convenient or affordable to keep or care for them.

We also exercise dominion over and take advantage of other animals when we use them for language experiments or in biotechs research laboratories. We make them stand-ins15） for human beings to test household products， drugs， and cosmetics. We are often told this experimentation is necessary （even though many tests prove unreliable； after all， we really want to know how the substance of procedure will affect humans）.

Students also conduct tests on animals or dissect16） them in classes. What we really learn from dissection is how to block off our caring attitudes about others.

If there were no other animals on the planet to use in labs， couldnt we find alternatives？ We have minds； we should put them to use in this way.

Whether or not we want to admit it， thinking we are superior to animals and thinking it is our right to control them is a prejudice.

It can make people act mean， hateful or just neglectful. But—as with any type of prejudice—each of us has within us the power to change. We can adopt a different attitude， one that reshapes our destiny.

This will have wonderful effects on the planets other communities. Other animals should be free， yes—to thrive. For life is more than avoiding torture. It is interacting， singing， pursuing joy.

Animals should have the right to live free and on their own terms.

We humans can learn to live responsibly， with respect， kindness， and love. We can learn how to respect the environment and all of our planets inhabitants—including each other.

Why wouldnt we think other animals experience emotions？

為什么我們認為其他動物沒有情感體驗呢？

正如我們一樣，它們也會保護自己的孩子，它們也會感到恐懼，它們在危險面前也會相互提醒，它們也會玩耍。

我們也許在某些方面與其他動物有所區(qū)別，但這并不意味著我們就有權追捕它們，占領它們的土地，污染它們的水源，或是為我們自己的便利而利用它們。

動物也會體會到痛苦和悲傷。想要在一個有感知的生物（包括除人類以外的生物）身上觀察到它對痛苦的反應并不是一件難事。

當人類奴役動物，讓它們替我們拉車，繁殖后代供我們買賣或者以任何方式迫使它們背離自己的天性，離開自己的棲息地時，我們使它們飽受折磨和痛苦。

動物權利教我們拒絕暴力，不再為了達到自己的目的而將其他動物視為工具，不再利用它們。

當我們使用動物進行娛樂表演時，我們就是在利用它們、給它們造成不幸、不公平地對待它們。

我們逼迫它們在馬戲團和嘉年華上耍把戲。我們將它們帶離它們的故土，我們在動物園里盯著它們看。我們在比賽中、牛仔競技表演上以及斗牛、斗雞、斗狗時給它們吃藥，使它們受傷，甚至還會殺了它們。我們還追蹤它們，殺害它們，只是為了食用，或只是為了消遣，我們完全沒有必要這樣做。

大量寵物的主人發(fā)現(xiàn)養(yǎng)寵物很麻煩或者養(yǎng)不起時，他們就會把寵物遺棄在大街上或者寵物走失認領處（它們常常在那里被殺害）。

當我們利用動物進行語言實驗或者在生物技術實驗室里進行研究的時候，我們也是在濫用支配權，欺負其他動物。我們讓它們成為人類的替身，去測試日用品、藥品和化妝品。我們經(jīng)常被告知這種實驗方法很有必要（盡管很多測試被證實并不可靠——畢竟，我們真正想要知道的是其中的物質(zhì)對人類究竟有何影響）。

學生也利用動物進行實驗，或者在課堂上解剖動物。而我們從解剖中真正學到的只是如何阻斷我們對其他生物的關心之情。

如果地球上沒有任何其他動物可以用于實驗，難道我們就找不到替代品了嗎？我們擁有聰明才智，這才是我們應該動腦子的地方。

不管我們是否愿意承認，“我們比動物高級”和“我們有權利操控它們”的想法都是一種偏見。

這種偏見會讓人舉止卑劣、面目可憎，甚至性情冷漠。但是我們每一個人體內(nèi)都充滿了改變的力量——對于任何一種偏見都是如此。我們可以采取一種截然不同的態(tài)度，一種會重塑我們命運的態(tài)度。

這種態(tài)度會對地球上的其他物種產(chǎn)生奇妙的作用。其他動物應該享受自由，是的——茁壯成長，因為生活不僅僅要免受折磨，還應該相互影響，共同歡唱，追求快樂。

動物應享有按照自己的意志自由支配生活的權利。

我們?nèi)祟惸軌驅(qū)W會心懷尊重、友善和愛，有責任心地去生活。我們能夠?qū)W會如何尊重環(huán)境以及地球上的全體居民——包括我們彼此。

11. gawk [ɡ??k] vi. 盯視

12. rodeo [?r??di??] n. 牛仔競技表演

13. stalk [st??k] vt. 悄悄接近或追蹤（獵物等）

14. pound [pa?nd] n. （走失貓狗的）認領處

15. stand-in： 替身

16. dissect [d??sekt] vt. 解剖

你家里養(yǎng)寵物了嗎？如果養(yǎng)了的話，可要注意一下當?shù)蒯槍櫸镏朴喌姆ㄒ?guī)哦。說起來，世界上很多地方針對家養(yǎng)寵物的法規(guī)可真是奇葩，盡管有些法規(guī)是為了保護動物權利，但恐怕連寵物自己都想笑掉大牙呢！

You might reasonably assume that the law doesnt extend to pets， however youd be wrong. It seems the world is full of wacky1） rules our furry2） friends are supposed to adhere3） to—not even mans best friend is above the law！