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| The Value of Animals |
| May 11, 2003. |
By Professor Fabio Cupul
University of Guadalajara Puerto Vallarta Campus
Generally, we tend to minimize the
value of those living beings from which we derive no
direct benefits. However, there is an intangible place
where animals have a direct influence on the mood, the
spirit and the health of human beings - by being our
companions in solitude.
In prisons, psychiatric hospitals,
senior citizens’ homes, orphanages and rehabilitation
centers for mentally and physically challenged folks,
the value of animal companionship has been growing steadily.
It allows for the development of affection and contact
with reality for many people from autistic children
to psychopathic convicts.
 Although
man has domesticated an endless number of animals to
keep as pets, it is believed that the domestic cat is
the only one who became domesticated voluntarily so
that it may live with us. Ancient Egyptians even had
a special police force to rescue cats from other countries
and bring them to their temples in Egypt, where they
were adored as gods.
On the other hand, the first use
of an animal to perform productive functions goes back
to the first evolutionary stage of man. Then, more than
being used, animals occasionally cooperated with men
in hunting and there is evidence that the cheetah was
among those companions. Of course, we should not forget
our inseparable dogs.
With the development of agriculture
about 10,000 years ago, the domesticated animal acquired
a privileged position as he replaced man as the power
of traction: horses, oxen, elephants, llamas and camels,
among others. As trade grew, it would give greater importance
to this activity, which was also stimulated by man’s
mobility and his increasing demand for more means of
transportation.
Also, many animals have lent their
services in times of war. For example, we could mention
the mules used by the American forces in Vietnam. However
they were not treated as real members of an army that
purported to defend the interests of its country and
of the world, because their vocal cords were cut so
that they could not communicate with others of their
species in the jungle through their neighing.
But not all animals who do work for
the benefit of man are treated cruelly. In some airports
around the world, falcons are appreciated because they
keep the skies free of birds that might present a risk
of aerial accidents. In certain regions of India, nutrias
are venerated and respected because they help their
owners be more efficient fishermen in coastal lagoons.
In fact, they are considered part of the family.
With regard to animals that feed
us and clothe us, we have goats, sheep and llamas, among
others. The flocks of those animals have been the basic
source of all human culture. Those animals brought us
milk and all the varieties of dairy products, as well
as clothing and shelter. Wool continues to be a material
whose nobility modern technology has yet to find an
ideal substitute.
Specific species of birds have been
adapted for the production of eggs and new species have
been incorporated for the production of prime material
for textiles, such as angora rabbits. Up to now, as
we have mentioned, no synthetic product made by man
has been able to compete with what our flora and fauna
provides. It is not for nothing that airplane coverings
are made of wool as it not only provides thermal insulation,
but also serves as insulation in case of fire.
In the field of medicine, the venom
of the much loathed and slandered snakes have been of
much interest when it comes to promoting blood coagulation.
In the opposite case, we find bloodsuckers that promote
blood circulation and increased oxygenation in tissues
thanks to the suction power in their mouths, leading
to more rapid scarring and healing of wounds.
45 years ago, a female dog named
Laïka was incinerated in the name of aeronautical
space science. She was launched on Sputnik II in November
of 1957. She was the first space traveler and also its
first victim. Laïka returned dead, although the
official version was that she had been poisoned after
returning alive.
Similarly, lab animals have allowed
great advances in medical science. But many continue
to be subjects of senseless cruel experiments that put
their use in question. This is why the concept of bioethics
and animal rights has taken on great importance lately
among various sectors of today’s society.
To conclude this selection of examples,
it is important to mention that no living being is superfluous
on this planet. Even the sewer rats fulfill a function.
Some researchers state that a certain population of
rats must be maintained in order to avoid the explosion
of pipelines caused by methane gas resulting from the
decomposition of organic matter - which is the food
of rats.
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