Are We Pushing Animals to Their Biological Limits? : Welfare and Ethical Implications (eBook)

Temple Grandin (Edited By) Temple Grandin is Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Dr. Grandin's work includes design of animal handling systems, research on livestock behaviour, and auditing animal welfare. She has visited 26 countries and has served on the OIE animal welfare ad hoc committee for slaughter. Her previous livestock books include Livestock Handling and Transport, Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals and Humane Livestock Handling. Her popular press books on animal behaviour have been both U.S. and international bestsellers. Throughout her career, Dr. Grandin has worked to combine scientific research results with practical application in the field. In the North America half, the cattle are handled in equipment she designed for meat plants. She has received awards for her work on animal welfare from both the livestock industry and animal welfare NGOs. She has awards from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The American Meat Institute, American Society for Animal Science and the Humane Society of the U.S.Martin Whiting (Edited By) is an RCVS and European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law. Previously based at the Royal Veterinary College, London, Dr Whiting was the UK's first lecturer in Veterinary Ethics and Law and has published many articles on a range of topics from veterinary informed consent, professional regulation through to animal welfare studies. He has presented his work at national and international conferences and has previously edited other textbooks on veterinary ethics and animal welfare. He previously chaired a conference on Animal Enhancements which had considerable public engagement and inspired the deep study which lead to this book. Dr Whiting's main interest in around the public interest in the veterinary profession and in all the professions which interact with animals both positively and negatively.

The key word that defines this book, one considered directly by most authors, is 'enhancement.' Since the procedures used to to achieve enhancement is nearly always designed for our benefit, whether defined by commerce (farm animals) human health (lab animals) or cosmetic appearance (designer dogs and cats). The more difficult problems arise when it is necessary to make borderline decisions regarding the harm:benefit analysis (harms to the animals vs benefits to society or individuals). These are critical issues in public and private ethics that call for informed decisions on a case-by-case basis. There is much of this book that can lead us to these informed decisions. Animal Welfare, May 2019