I started this course with a decently well developed understanding of animal ethics, as it is something about which I think rather often. Since I did have a decent understanding of animal ethics, there were a few topics on which I didn't really change my mind. I started the course as a vegetarian, and I am still convinced that it is morally obligatory. I am, however, much more firm in this belief. Additionally, I also gained a new understanding of veganism; I intend to become a vegan when I am no longer subject to Aramark's lousy (read: virtually non-existent) vegan options.
I also developed a new understanding of 'pet-keeping,' and while I have always considered to role of 'pet-keeping' to be more similar to guardianship, I will, in the future, refer to it as guardianship. Additionally, I have come to understand how the pet market works, such that if I do want an animal companion (which I don't think is necessarily immoral in itself), I will work with an animal shelter rather than a pet-store. I don't want to contribute to the immoral practices involved in obtaining animals for stores.
I am still a bit unsure about animal testing, but I plan to work that out soon. There are, I think, certain cases in which animal testing is entirely immoral. Cosmetic testing is immoral, but I'm not sure if AIDS research on apes - since they do not contract the HIV virus - is necessarily immoral if the apes are treated well apart from their shots.
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