The blind hens’ challenge: does it undermine the view that only welfare matters in our dealings with animals?

Peter Sandøe; Paul M. Hocking; Björn Forkman; Kirsty Haldane; Helle Halkjær Kristensen; Clare Palmer

doi:10.3197/096327114x13947900181950

The blind hens’ challenge: does it undermine the view that only welfare matters in our dealings with animals?

Peter Sandøe, Paul M. Hocking, Björn Forkman, Kirsty Haldane, Helle Halkjær Kristensen, Clare Palmer

Sektion for Forbrug, Bioetik og Regulering

16 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Animal ethicists have recently debated the ethical questions raised by disenhancing animals to improve their welfare. Here, we focus on the particular case of breeding blind hens for commercial egg-laying systems, in order to benefit their welfare. Many people find breeding blind hens intuitively repellent, yet 'welfare-only' positions appear to be committed to endorsing this possibility if it produces welfare gains. We call this the 'Blind Hens' Challenge'. In this paper, we argue that there are both empirical and theoretical reasons why even those adopting 'welfare-only' views should be concerned about breeding blind hens. But we also argue that alternative views, which (for example) claim that it is important to respect the telos or rights of an animal, do not offer a more convincing solution to questions raised by the possibility of disenhancing animals for their own benefit.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Tidsskrift	Environmental Values
Vol/bind	23
Udgave nummer	6
Sider (fra-til)	727-742
Antal sider	16
ISSN	0963-2719
DOI	https://doi.org/10.3197/096327114x13947900181950
Status	Udgivet - 1 dec. 2014

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10.3197/096327114x13947900181950

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Citationsformater

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The blind hens’ challenge: does it undermine the view that only welfare matters in our dealings with animals?

Abstract

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