[Relationship between the veterinarian and animals, their rights and duties (author's transl)].
The vulnerable position of the human organism with in kingdom of organisms entitles man to subsist as a species. Far-reaching specialization towards animality, resulting in high degree of differentiation, has rendered man extremely vulnerable and thus compelled him to search for possibilities to utilize his environment. However, the fact that he is inherently bound up with this environment imposes limitations on this right to manipulate within it. This right of man is not exclusive but analogously includes the rights of animals. This implies that man should accept the intrinsic value of animals. An animal is a value, not a person, and therefore only has rights analogously. Animals are constantly under the direct influence of man who influences or even destroys their biotopes. The only basic principle to be stressed in this regard is the right of animals to remain in their oecological niche wherever possible, taking into account the effects of selection and mutation which have eventually resulted from their association with man. In view of the above, the following code of conduct is suggested for veterinarians: (1) When man takes animals into his home as pets, he should at least see to it that these animals will be able to develop a natural behaviour in order to safeguard the intrinsic value of the animals wherever possible. (Keeping sporting dogs and greyhounds in flats is not permitted.) (2) Veterinarians should not tolerate symptom-suppressive forms of treatment. (Declawing a domestic cat is not permitted for the simple reason that the owner will usually have caused the abnormal behaviour of the animal.) (3) As an educator, the veterinarian will have to expose any tendency to humanize animals as a devaluation of man. (Laying out animal graveyards and fattening small animals.) (4) On an interdisciplinary basis and from the point of view of the subsistence of mankind, the veterinarian should raise the question of the responsibility of man as a social creature for the kingdom of organisms, not only his fellow-men but the entire environment. (5) The question can be asked to which extent the veterinarian is under an obligation to direct studies and research towards the selection of organisms still capable of establishing a relationship with man in this slum-dwelling called earth.
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D006801:Humans; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
Relatie dierenarts--dier, hun rechten--plichten