Argument: Animal testing is contrary to principles of compassion and peace

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Tom Regan, an American animal right philosopher. “The Philosophy of Animal Rights”. Retrieved May 6th, 2008 – “10. The philosophy of animal rights is peace-loving.
Explanation: The fundamental demand of the philosophy of animal rights is to treat humans and other animals with respect. To do this requires that we not harm anyone just so that we ourselves or others might benefit. This philosophy therefore is totally opposed to military aggression. It is a philosophy of peace. But it is a philosophy that extends the demand for peace beyond the boundaries of our species. For there is a war being waged, every day, against countless millions of nonhuman animals. To stand truly for peace is to stand firmly against speciesism. It is wishful thinking to believe that there can be “peace in the world” if we fail to bring peace to our dealings with other animals.”

Alice Walker – “If by some miracle in all our struggle the earth is spared from nuclear holocaust, only justice to every living thing will save humankind.”

Albert Schweitzer, The Philosophy of Civilization – “We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.”[1]

• “Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives.”[2]

St. Francis of Assisi – “If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”[3]

Pythagorus – “As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love”[4]

Albert Einstein – “Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it’s beauty.”[5]

Henry Bergh, founder of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – “Mercy to animals means mercy to mankind.”[6]

Robert K. Ressler, Former FBI Serial Killer Profiler – “Murderers … very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids.”[7]

St. Francis of Assisi, Roman Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans order – “If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men…”[8]

Joseph Addison, English Poet – “True benevolence or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation.”[9]

Ali McGraw, American Actress – “I have always felt that the way we treat animals is a pretty good indicator of the compassion we are capable of for the human race.”[10]

Dr. Diane Fossey, Woman in the Mists (Dr. Fossey was killed by someone who killed animals yesterday. – “The man who kills the animals today is the man who kills the people who get in his way tomorrow.”[11]