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Quote by Gary L. Francione

“Animals are property. There are laws that supposedly protect animal interests in being treated “humanely,” but that term is interpreted in large part to mean that we cannot impose “unnecessary” harm on animals, and that is measured by what treatment is considered as necessary within particular industries, and according to customs of use, to exploit animals. The bottom line is that animals do not have any respect-based rights in the way that humans have, because we do not regard animals as having any moral value. They have only economic value. We value their interests economically, and we ignore their interests when it is economically beneficial for us to do so. At this point in time, it makes no sense to focus on the law, because as long as we regard animals as things, as a moral matter, the laws will necessarily reflect that absence of moral value and continue to do nothing to protect animals. We need to change social and moral thinking about animals before the law is going to do anything more.”

Quote by Gary L. Francione

Author

Gary L. Francione
Gary L. Francione

Gary L. Francione is a renowned animal rights activist and scholar, known for his contributions to the fields of animal rights law and ethics. He is a professor at the Rutgers University School of Law and the founder of the Animal Rights Law Center. Professor Francione is an advocate for the animal liberation theory, which argues for the liberation of all animals and their moral rights. more

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