Discussing Ethical Limits of Animal Use with Students in Chinese Culture Discussing Ethical Limits of Animal Use with Students in Chinese Culture THE HIGH SCHOOL AFFILIATED TO BEIJING NORMAL UNIVERSITY leili

Material has been forbidden to use in Chinese Traditional Medicine. tiger bones rhinoceros cornus elephants teeth bears gallbladders

Bears gallbladder was contacted with the duct directly so that people could draw bile from it.

Students mentioned some instances. The skins of snakes were stripped when they were alive in some restaurants. Many chickens were closed in one small cage by their sellers. Some partner animals were abandoned and were treated badly. ……

Students felt confused on: What should be done when people are in real need of animal products as life-saveing medicines. Whether people should eat meat when the right of animals are emphasized. Whether it is too cruel when people make use of animals in Chinese traditional culture. whether it is practical to make laws to protect the animal rights in China.

Take drawing bile from living bears for example. Some data investigated by International Fund For Animal Welfare in Beijing and Shanghai 70 percent of people never heard of it before, and when they knew it, more than 86 percent of people thought it was very cruel, but at the same time, 30 percent of people thought that people could do it for the needs of human beings. After they knew they could use substitutes, only 16 percent of people chose bear bile products products, because they believed that it was better to use natural products. Even when people knew how cruel the way was to make animal products, there were still two thirds of people agreeing to use them, only because doctors said these animal products were useful for saving life. But if they were merely ordinary medicines or tonics, there were only 11 percent of people agreeing to use them.

Students opinion to Chinese drugs : necessity or desire ? The public had the right to know the facts in Chinese Traditional Medicine making-process, and the traditional Chinese medicine should develop and make substitutes. Both the public and doctors should do responsible choices at the base of knowing the facts.

Students opinion to other question: Ethics reflect an idea in certain conditions of politics, economics and culture. China started a bit later than other countries at this historical process, but the public had introspective attitude about animal rights. Some traditional bad habits are thrown away as the development of human civilization. The Chinese people must take the responsibility of protecting animal rights. How to improve the Chinese peoples recognition of animal rights, my students thought that making laws as soon as possible was necessary.

Students gains: Using their own knowledge to discuss, analyze and get conclusions by themselves. Solving some problems and recognized their responsibilities. Willing to share their feelings with families and friends.

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