
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea
that
the
interests of animals, such as the interest in avoiding
suffering,
should
be afforded the same consideration as the
interests of human
beings.
Although animal rights advocates approach
the issue from
different
philosophical positions, they argue,
broadly speaking, that
animals
should no longer be regarded as
property, or used as food,
clothing,
research subjects, or
entertainment, but should instead be
regarded as
legal persons and
members of the moral community.