Comments on: Odyssey with Animals

By: Dov Henis

Dov Henis — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:54:48 +0000

Reality Is Genes Is Organisms
Cognition Is Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality Includes Culture And Spirituality

A. An Odyssey with Animals
http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/56201/;jsessionid=F5D03E16D2ED82BC145994EDA77B197B
In his new book, an animal researcher reflects on animal rights and what extremists get wrong

B. Reality is genes is organisms, our cognition is virtual reality that includes culture and spirituality

Reality is that life is genes is Earth’s biosphere, for temporary constraint of energy that would otherwise be fueling universal expansion. Natural reality is that within the biosphere genotypes survive naturally by ingesting each other, each other’s energy.

Within the biosphere some organisms evolved cognition, evolved virtual reality realms, including thoughts about a purpose of human life, a purpose which is OURS to formulate and promote. It derives solely from our cognition. And it includes spiritual values, ethics and beliefs about life. It includes also cultural values that transcend the “spiritual aspects” of existence, in contrast with nature.

So the prospects are dim that the issue of “separating the radical from the sensible” in regards to “animal rights” versus “human needs” will ever be settled, as dim as the prospects that other issues of reality versus virtual reality, comprising “radical” versus “sensible” aspects, will ever be settled…

Dov Henis
(Comments From The 22nd Century)
Updated Physical Evolution Defintion
http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/list/220/122.page#4368

By: Staffof2cats

Staffof2cats — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:42:02 +0000

Re: Robyn Cooper’s labeling Adrian Morrison a pseudo-scientist — I’ve examined his credentials and see nothing ‘psuedo’ about them. I’d like to see Robyn’s qualifications that would justify her evaluation of his experience and education.

By: Barbara Davies

Barbara Davies — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:17:07 +0000

From a UK perspective at least, we have identified at least four different positions in this debate. It’s not just animal welfare & medical research v animal rights. Opinion research has shown that many people have moderate views, are unsure or feel conflicted.

We have developed a questionnaire on our website which allows individuals to find out where they stand:

http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/your_views/questionnaire

By: Jack Doyle

Jack Doyle — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:10:46 +0000

This is a very well thought out and well written book looking at all sides of the issue. A closed-minded animal rights person who does nothing but through out outdated and inaccurate cliches will not be convinced, but a thinking person who espouses animal rights may be forced to examine their position.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:26:52 +0000

The term “protectionism” could also cloak those who will only minimally protect animals. The current standards of the meat producing industry are abyssmal – so thosw who would keep it at its present level of basic abuse which is widely accepted.

By: Patrick OBrien

Patrick OBrien — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:56:32 +0000

Thank God for the extremists and activists. If we left the welfare of animals up to academics like this, nothing would change. This is one book I have no desire to read….

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:15:08 +0000

I agree with Adrian that animals should be protected from inhumane treatment as their ability to suffer pain, stress, fear, hunger, thirst, grief, boredom etc are just the same for all animals including humans.

Because i would hate to see anyone suffer being shot, skinned alive, gassed, having their throat slit, confined to a small cage for years, being poisoned or maimed in a laboratory, I protest these atrocities whether they happen inside or ouside of the law, to any being capable of suffering.

If that makes me a dangerous extremist in Adrians “boxes” so be it – I have to be able to live with myself.

By: Adrian Morrison

Adrian Morrison — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:02:16 +0000

If Robyn Cooper will now buy Odyssey and read it, she will find that the book allows her to answer the questions she poses for herself. She will have the benefit of the thoughts of many who have pondered these issues for centuries before she comes to final decisions.

By: Animal lover

Animal lover — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:42:49 +0000

WOW – a onclusion that doesn’t follow the inhuman arguments of H$U$ – the biggest scam going! ARs and liberals – watch out – your leaders are selling you short, taking your rights, AND H$U$ wants to destroy ALL domestic animals. Better dead than in your keeping!! Amazing – he sees through the hypocrisy fo the ARs (Animal Rights/Radicals). Their intent is to separate humans from the rest of the animal world! What’s next – your kids???? Ya better read this book – THEN re-look at the idiots passing laws all over this country against animals!

By: Hallie

Hallie — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:02:18 +0000

Sounds like a well-written, well-thought out argument by someone who has been through it all and has given the topic much consideration. I look forward to reading it.

By: Robyn Cooper

Robyn Cooper — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:54:18 +0000

So many topics all confused and lumped under another guise of “science”.

I consider myself in the first category, but I don’t damage property or attempt murder. Where does this leave me in this hierarchy of yet another round of myopic ‘scientific’ thinking?

Why would 2-legged lives be “worth” more? Why would furry four legged lives be “worth” less? Or feathered, or finned, or scaled?

All life lives on life and all is sacred. As a veggie-head, I make my own personal decisions about my diet, but I still wear shoes of leather, sleep under a goose-down duvet, drive on tyres that will never degrade, and consume oil-based fuel for warmth and transport.

Where do we draw a line? What is that line? And whom makes it?

For me, certainly not Adrian Morrison. This pseudo scientist might well go back and look at the 1977 study by Harvard grad, Irene Pepperberg, before making any further insulting “observations” about animals of any ilk.

By: Carol Drew

Carol Drew — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:43:52 +0000

Obviously Adrian Morrison has not visited abattoirs where animals are killed for human use. If he has, and he can still argue he is a supporter of animal welfare (as opposed to animal rights) then he is completely switched off. Do you know why they won’t let you in the abattoirs or the sheds where these animals live out their short lives? Because the owners of these places know they would be shut down overnight if the general public were allowed to see what went on. It is so shameful.

By: debt reduction

debt reduction — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:57:57 +0000

I am excited to read this book. i just orderd it online and i really don’t want to wait a week for it. O well i can’t wait to see what they have to say in the book

By: Alice Ra'anan

Alice Ra'anan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:17:54 +0000

This book thoughtfully examines a topic more usually given over to screeds. Morrison describes his research as a neuroscientist in terms that are highly accessible to a non-scientist. He also discusses his involvement as an expert witness in the Silver Spring Monkeys case that put PETA on the map, along with the impact of an animal rights break-in that trashed his own lab and the evolution of his views about humans and animals over the course of many decades. Most importantly, Morrison invites the reader to think critically about human-animal interactions.

By: Bob Speth

Bob Speth — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:22:37 +0000

One of the most ignorant/hypocritical concepts of the animal rights movement is the thought that by being vegans or vegetarians they are saving animals. They are either completely uninformed as to how many millions of wild animals are killed by farmers whose crops would otherwise be eaten by these “vermin”, or they choose to ignore the plight of these wild animals because they don’t want to acknowledge that the ecosystem in which we exist requires us to compete with animal interests or become extinct.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:31:07 +0000

I am looking forward to reading this book and seeing more of how you have experienced the changes in the animal rights vs animal welfare movements over the past few decades.

I hope many read it with an open mind and will be able to then have the background to do their own analysis of the problems and then determine where they stand with the current issues.