动物权利为何如此重要？

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？

为什么我们认为其他动物没有情感体验呢？

正如我们一样，它们也会保护自己的孩子，它们也会感到恐惧，它们在危险面前也会相互提醒，它们也会玩耍。

我们也许在某些方面与其他动物有所区别，但这并不意味着我们就有权追捕它们，占领它们的土地，污染它们的水源，或是为我们自己的便利而利用它们。

动物也会体会到痛苦和悲伤。想要在一个有感知的生物（包括除人类以外的生物）身上观察到它对痛苦的反应并不是一件难事。

当人类奴役动物，让它们替我们拉车，繁殖后代供我们买卖或者以任何方式迫使它们背离自己的天性，离开自己的栖息地时，我们使它们饱受折磨和痛苦。

动物权利教我们拒绝暴力，不再为了达到自己的目的而将其他动物视为工具，不再利用它们。

当我们使用动物进行娱乐表演时，我们就是在利用它们、给它们造成不幸、不公平地对待它们。

我们逼迫它们在马戏团和嘉年华上耍把戏。我们将它们带离它们的故土，我们在动物园里盯着它们看。我们在比赛中、牛仔竞技表演上以及斗牛、斗鸡、斗狗时给它们吃药，使它们受伤，甚至还会杀了它们。我们还追踪它们，杀害它们，只是为了食用，或只是为了消遣，我们完全没有必要这样做。

大量宠物的主人发现养宠物很麻烦或者养不起时，他们就会把宠物遗弃在大街上或者宠物走失认领处（它们常常在那里被杀害）。

当我们利用动物进行语言实验或者在生物技术实验室里进行研究的时候，我们也是在滥用支配权，欺负其他动物。我们让它们成为人类的替身，去测试日用品、药品和化妆品。我们经常被告知这种实验方法很有必要（尽管很多测试被证实并不可靠——毕竟，我们真正想要知道的是其中的物质对人类究竟有何影响）。

学生也利用动物进行实验，或者在课堂上解剖动物。而我们从解剖中真正学到的只是如何阻断我们对其他生物的关心之情。

如果地球上没有任何其他动物可以用于实验，难道我们就找不到替代品了吗？我们拥有聪明才智，这才是我们应该动脑子的地方。

不管我们是否愿意承认，“我们比动物高级”和“我们有权利操控它们”的想法都是一种偏见。

这种偏见会让人举止卑劣、面目可憎，甚至性情冷漠。但是我们每一个人体内都充满了改变的力量——对于任何一种偏见都是如此。我们可以采取一种截然不同的态度，一种会重塑我们命运的态度。

这种态度会对地球上的其他物种产生奇妙的作用。其他动物应该享受自由，是的——茁壮成长，因为生活不仅仅要免受折磨，还应该相互影响，共同欢唱，追求快乐。

动物应享有按照自己的意志自由支配生活的权利。

我们人类能够学会心怀尊重、友善和爱，有责任心地去生活。我们能够学会如何尊重环境以及地球上的全体居民——包括我们彼此。

11. gawk [ɡ??k] vi. 盯视

12. rodeo [?r??di??] n. 牛仔竞技表演

13. stalk [st??k] vt. 悄悄接近或追踪（猎物等）

14. pound [pa?nd] n. （走失猫狗的）认领处

15. stand-in： 替身

16. dissect [d??sekt] vt. 解剖

你家里养宠物了吗？如果养了的话，可要注意一下当地针对宠物制订的法规哦。说起来，世界上很多地方针对家养宠物的法规可真是奇葩，尽管有些法规是为了保护动物权利，但恐怕连宠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！