Can killing animals for medical research, cosmetics, food and sport be justifiable?

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Religious Studies Coursework

Section C

        Can killing animals for medical research, cosmetics, food and sport be justifiable? For what reason can they be killed or should they not be killed at all. Not killing animals at all would lead to overgrowth in population which could cause damage to the environment. Experimenting on animals for cosmetics is not needed because if there were no beauty products being sold then humans would like each other for the way they naturally are. Then comes using animals for sport. Torturing innocent animals for entertainment. What pleasure does anyone get from watching animals killing each other?  

        I believe that using animals for food is the only reason for killing animals. Some people may argue that meat is not needed in a balanced diet and alternatives of vegetables, fruits, pulses and dairy produce can be consumed for protein instead, but we have canine teeth. We are suited to eating meat like other carnivorous and omnivorous predators. Meat is also the best source of protein and iron which are used alot in the body. With vegetables, fruit, and dairy produce alot must be eaten to achieve the same amount of protein and iron consumed with a smaller amount of meat. Eating too much vegetables or anything becomes hazardous to the body therefore eating meat could prevent this problem and also leave more room in a diet for more food. Understanding this concept can help us to make use of our natural features and kill animals for justifiable reasons. OK, but what is meant by justifiable reasons?

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        In Islam there are a very few justifiable reasons as animals are considered as the creation of Allah and so must be treated equally with all other living creatures created by Allah. Some justifiable reasons are; hunting for food and if there is no other course of action, testing on animals for medical purposes although it is not encouraged by most muslims. 'Whoever kills anything bigger than a sparrow without a just cause, Allah will hold him accountable for it. The listeners asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is a just cause?" He replied, "That he kill it to eat, ...

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