En retrospektiv och prospektiv utvärdering av etik och djurvälfärd i Sveriges djurskyddslagstiftning

Abstract: For thousands of years, humans have reflected on and debated the exploitation of animals in captivity and the environment provided for them. Animal ethics has been a documented subject since the antiquity and is in present time an important philosophical topic in both scientific and public interest. In the latter half of the 20th century, animal welfare grew as a public and scientific matter. The most prominent ethical theories discussed in philosophy during this time were utilitarism and animal rights. The issues discussed were if and how non-human animals can suffer and if or when the non-human animal’s welfare are more valuable than the human benefits. Legislation about animal protection was implemented in northern Europe during the 20th century, and made Sweden follow the trend. The first animal protection law of Sweden was implemented 1944 and made requirements such as animals in captivity should have a good environment, be cared for and not suffer exhaustion of work. The animal protection law of Sweden was updated in 1988 due to the growing public awareness of animal testing procedures. The public were especially concerned about animal testing of cosmetic products, since it has no medical purpose. Another reason was that there were worries about the welfare of livestock and that they may suffer for economic profit. In 2011, the official investigations of the Swedish government made a publication to respond to the demand for a new animal protection law in Sweden. They proposed that animals in captivity should not only be protected from unnecessary suffering, they should also be offered a prosperous care, treatment and environment. The proposal for a new law suggested that it is important that legislation have detailed definitions, is based on science and includes all species, but still considers the differences of custom needs. Since 1944, the ethical approach in legislation has changed from not allowing treatment that causes animals unnecessary suffering of the more severe kind, to focus on welfare and not cause them unnecessary suffering if it does not have a defendable motivation, such as medical research.