The ethics of reproducing and adopting children and non-human animals

Today Lottie discussed the ethics of human and non-human animal reproduction and adoption. She argues that adopting pets reduces harm and saves lives. But adopting children is not a perfect analogue and removing children from their families and communities often causes a lot of trauma. She argues that an ethics of adoption that is consistent across species would center what is best for the animal or child, not treat them as commodities to profit from, and would keep existing families together whenever safe and possible.  Previous Freedom of Species episodes on this topic: ‘Antinatalism and humans’ impact on the planet’ https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/antinatalism-and-humans-impact-planet ‘Vegan Dogs & Cats / Human Population’ (first 30 minutes) https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode-201804011300/vegan-dogs-cats-human-population  Other media mentioned: ‘Should vegans have children? Examining the links between animal ethics and antinatalism’ by Joona Räsänen: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11017-023-09613-7 ‘Why (at least some) moral vegans may have children: A response to Räsänen’ by William Bülow: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11017-023-09632-4 ‘Veganism, Anarchism, and Adoption’ by Nathan Poirier and John Tallent in ‘Veganarchism: Making veganism and anarchism dangerous again’ edited by Will Boisseau and Nathan Poirier https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1850 Alé Cardinalle (international adoptee) https://wildheartcollective.care/ Karlos Dillard (transracial adoptee) https://www.lovewhatmatters.com/my-adoptive-mother-abandoned-me-gay-adoptee-foster-care-transracial-adoption-child-abuse/ ‘The Baby Brokers: Inside America’s Murky Private-Adoption Industry’ by Tik Roothttps://time.com/6051811/private-adoption-america/ ‘The politics of ‘orphans’ and the dirty tactics of the adoption lobby’ by Patricia Fronek https://theconversation.com/the-politics-of-orphans-and-the-dirty-tactics-of-the-adoption-lobby-10537  Sources of statistics mentioned on the show: 264 healthy cats and dogs are killed everyday in Australia: https://www.animaljusticeparty.org/companion_animals Conditions of animals raised for food including “humane” or “free range”: https://foodispower.org/animals-on-land/humane-myths/ Australian adoptions statistics: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/adoptions/adoptions-australia/contents/adoptions Australian children in out of home care statistics: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2023-24/contents/insights/supporting-children US adoptions statistics: https://adoptioncouncil.org/article/adoption-statistics/ US foster care statistics: https://theworlddata.com/foster-care-statistics-in-us/ Poverty hinders reunification of parents and children: https://www.jstor.org/stable/48647842 Orphans worldwide statistics: https://cafo.org/orphan-statistics/  Music: ‘The Pill’ by Loretta Lynn ‘Us and Pigs’ by Sofia Isella https://www.sofiaisella.com/ ‘NoBody is a Product’ by Dakini Songs https://dakinitranslations.com/mantras-music/  Send us your feedback at FOSradio@proton.me

A weekly show hosted by Melbourne-based animal advocates, presenting local and international interviews, presentations, and music from this vibrant social justice movement. The show is broadcast on 3CR Community Radio 855AM

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