ALTEX :: Alternatives to Animal Experiments

2001, VOLUME 4

Man and His Fellow-Creatures Under Ethical Aspects

Gotthard M. Teutsch

D-Bayreuth

Literary report 2000/2001, No. 24
According to the recent additions of the archives for ethics in animal-, nature-, and environmental protection at the state-library of Baden at Karlsruhe, Germany

PRELIMINARY REMARKS

The question how the volume of the annual report could be reduced in the face of a continuous increase in literature has been discussed in the past. But now, we have arrived at a reduction of one-third which could only be achieved through far-reaching neglect of English-language articles and especially of periodicals. The scope of topics, reinforced over the years, has been maintained and should facilitate the orientation of the reader.

In the continuing ethics-boom, a change seems to be in the offing. While dealing with the animal-epidemics, the animals themselves were, aside from consumer protection interests, at least of some concern. In the bio-ethics discussion human well-being and dignity have asserted themselves as the almost exclusive issue. At any rate, the various ethics-commissions have been installed solely for representing human interests, and it is conspicuous how the voices speaking in favour and for justice of non-human life are becoming lesser and softer.

The report's central goal remains the intent to introduce and comment recent published developments in the man-animal relationship.

Keywords: ethics, animal protection, justice to animals, animal law, moral status of animals, killing of animals, vegetarianism, animal experimentation, farm animal management