animal rights

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animal rights Freedom from subjection to pain and distress, especially applied to animals used in scientific experiments for human purposes. Experiments using animals decreased greatly during the 1980s, but continue particularly in determining the effects of new medicinal preparations, and of the long-term use of consumer products such as alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, and facial cosmetics. Animal rights activists wish to extend animal rights to include all animals kept, transported, or slaughtered in conditions perceived to be inhumane. See also vivisection

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