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Global View - Animal Rights #D0146

A: You should have seen the T.V. show that was on last night, the topic it covered was really interesting; animal rights.

B: Do you really believe in that? If they are going to focus on something, they should do it on civil rights.

A: Yes, but we can’t deny that animals are vulnerable, defenseless, and are completely at the mercy of human beings.

B: I understand your point, but we continue to have transgressions against human rights. If so much attention weren't devoted to the topic of animals, we would then concentrate more on saving a human being instead of protecting a koala.

A: You can’t compare apples and oranges; I believe that both topics are important and that we can’t ignore them, the mistreatment of animals can cause a great environmental imbalance.I believe that governments should prohibit activities like poaching.

B: Well, you are right on that point. This is the reason that I don’t buy leather and I try to buy synthetic products.

B: At least you’re doing your part. My contribution is to have a pet in the house that I treat like a member of the family.

A: As long as you don’t treat it better than your wife, it’s fine.

Key Vocabulary

civil rights - the rights people have

biodegradable - capable of being decomposed by natural means

vulnerable - easily hurt or harmed

drought - a prolonged period of time during which no rain falls

defenseless - defenseless

famine - a severe shortage of food

at the mercy of - in a position where you can be harmed

biosphere - the part of the earth’s surface and atmosphere inhabited by living things

transgression - something that is not allowed

Supplementary Vocabulary

cloning - a general term for the research activity that creates a copy of some biological entity

apples and oranges - an unfair comparison of two different things

poach - to illegally hunt protected animals

synthetic - not natural

do your part - to help accomplish a goal