ASSIGNMENT | Environmental Ethics Position Paragraph

Your task is to write a paragraph (maximum length of one page double spaced) that analyzes one of the following environmental ethical issue. You choose which issue to write about; in this assignment, reflect deeply on a topic that matters to you. You must argue your position with ethical theory and also show how your position is stronger than the opposing position supported by another theory.

Option A:

Should animals be used in medical research? In your response, consider which kind of animals (if any) would be morally permissible to use in medical research and what consideration should be given regarding pain.

Option B:

Is a vegetarian diet more ethical than a non-vegetarian diet? In your answer, consider the issue of animal rights and the environmental impact of both meat and plant-based diets.

Option C:

Consider the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Is the use of GMOs in food production ethical? In your answer, consider both health and environmental concerns.

You must apply at least one ethical theory to support your position and explain how a different theory compares when applied to this issue.
You must also show how your position supported by ethical theory is stronger than another position supported by another theory.
It is not enough to name a theory; you must explain the theory and demonstrate how your position reflects the logic and reasoning of that theory.

Remember that theory is the “why” behind your beliefs.

SAMPLE SOLUTION

No, medical researchers should not use animals in tests. Over the years, animals have been subjected to experiments that test the safety of new products and develop new drugs. Most of the trials bring pain and suffering to animals or even reduce the quality of their life (Animal Ethics, 2019). Secondly, the benefits that the investigations are supposed to provide have not yet been proven. The other reason is that other means can produce the same benefits to humans as provided by animal tests. The theory of utilitarianism states that the amount of happiness that an act produces should be more than the overall suffering (Mulgan, 2014). Therefore, it is morally wrong to experiment on any animal. Some may argue that animals are unable to express their feelings, such as suffering and pain the way humans do. They would say that…