The Welfare view (3 Rs: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) has led to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in every US research university. The Rights view is absolute: No sentient being should be poisoned, burned, or genetically modified for a human benefit, no matter how noble.
The debate on animal welfare and rights has been a contentious issue for many years. While some argue that animals are sentient beings that deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, others contend that they are mere commodities that exist solely for human benefit. In recent years, however, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of animal welfare and the need to protect animals from cruelty and neglect. The Welfare view (3 Rs: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement)
Surveys consistently show that the average citizen opposes animal suffering (welfare) but also feels uneasy about the mass killing of healthy, sentient animals (rights). This tension is why "ag-gag" laws (making it illegal to film factory farms) exist alongside booming sales of plant-based meat. While some argue that animals are sentient beings