The Moral and Practical Considerations of the Use of Antibiotics in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations on Non-Human and Human Populations
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Date
2014-06
Authors
Mooney, Shahnaz
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The use of antibiotics in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in
the United States needs to be morally and practically considered from a non-human and
human perspective. The driving questions of the project concern the role of moral
theories in concrete scientific and public policy decisions, the synthesis and
reconciliation of non-human and human health, and the role of both philosophical and
political actions in order to change the extreme instrumentalist paradigm. This thesis
synthesizes research from multiple disciplines: philosophy, public policy, science, and
environmental studies. Parts I and II are two distinct but interdependent sections that
consider the use of antibiotics in CAFOs from a non-human and human perspective,respectively. Part I evaluates the usefulness of utilitarianism, consequentialism, and
deontology for non-human animal ethics. Deontology is a moral system that recognizes
the inherent dignity and intrinsic value of certain subjects, dependent on philosopher
and application. Kant’s Categorical Imperative, which strives for moral perfection
through a priori moral formulations, is only reserved for rational human beings, and
human beings alone have intrinsic worth. Deep Ecology is Kantian in its foundational
idea of dignity and intrinsic value, but the movement extends intrinsic worth to nonhuman
beings and the environment. Because utilitarianism and consequentialism
perpetuate the violent instrumentalist paradigm, the project concludes that deontology is
needed in order to improve human relations with non-human beings. Deontology
recognizes the inherent dignity and worth of certain subjects, which is dependent on
philosopher and application. Part II focuses on human epidemiology, public health, and
public policy and argues that the use of antibiotics in CAFOs is a disaster risk. In order
to combat the public health concern, the project suggests possible domestic and global
solutions based on the philosophical conclusions of Part I.
Description
56 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Philosophy and Environmental Studies and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring 2014.
Keywords
Animal ethics, Disasters, Environmental studies, Antibiotic use, CAFO, Public health