Interspecific Compassion: A Brief Reflection on Animal Research and Individuality

Animals deserve love, respect, and proper recognition.

As human beings, all of us are remarkably special. DNA sequences accomplish unique identities for each person; even a pair of identical twins can experience different genomes (Jonsson et al., 2021). Both socially and biologically, there is only one of you in this world, there will only ever be one of you in this world, and there has only ever been one of you in this world.

The same allelic phenomenon applies to animals. Every dog, cat, and platypus carries peculiar genotypes, epitomising the importance of interspecific compassion. Homo sapiens are blessed with self-awareness; however, that does not make us superior to other organisms. It makes us obligated. We have a responsibility to learn about nature and protect the planet's inhabitants through earnest collaboration.

Scientific research is far from perfect. Accordingly, we should never hesitate to question experimental pursuits. Although a scientific opinion may appear altruistic, it does not necessarily represent an optimal course; scientific opinions are susceptible to "passing popularity, paradigm blindness, and political pressure" (Hawkins, 2012, p. 152). Animals remain essential to pharmaceutical progress. Ferrets, for instance, are routinely used for influenza studies, accommodating prophylactic efforts (Belser et al., 2020). Nevertheless, if such practices persist, each animal's comfort should constitute a primary concern. Death is inevitable in this broken world, but we should strive to avoid suffering as much as possible.

Cherish the environment, eat ethically, and question everything. Despite our differences, we can find unity in both conservation and collective appreciation for bodily integrity.

This journal entry was written in response to the following article—Profit, Pain and Puppies: Inside the Rescue of Nearly 4,000 Beagles.

References

Belser, J. A., Eckert, A. M., Huynh, T., Gary, J. M., Ritter, J. M., Tumpey, T. M., & Maines, T. R. (2020). A guide for the use of the ferret model for influenza virus infection. The American Journal of Pathology, 190(1), 11–24. https://lnkd.in/gG9bY3gr

Hawkins, D. R. (2012). Letting go: The pathway of surrender. Hay House.

Jonsson, H., Magnusdottir, E., Eggertsson, H. P., Stefansson, O. A., Arnadottir, G. A., Eiriksson, O., Zink, F., Helgason, E. A., Jonsdottir, I., Gylfason, A., Jonasdottir, A., Jonasdottir, A., Beyter, D., Steingrimsdottir, T., Norddahl, G. L., Magnusson, O. T., Masson, G., Halldorsson, B. V., Thorsteinsdottir, U., … Stefansson, K. (2021). Differences between germline genomes of monozygotic twins. Nature Genetics, 53(1), 27–34. https://lnkd.in/gsVwBC7V