In The Case for Animal Rights , Regan argued from a deontological (duty-based) perspective. He stated that animals are "subjects-of-a-life" with inherent value. Because they have desires, perceptions, and a psychological identity over time, they cannot be used as a mere means to human ends. 3. Contemporary Issues in Animal Welfare and Rights
This is why "ag-gag" laws (laws that criminalize undercover investigations of farms) are proliferating. It is why the term "factory farming" is fought by PR teams. Welfarist reforms (like banning veal crates) are often fiercely resisted by industry, only to be later accepted as "common sense." In The Case for Animal Rights , Regan
Advocating for laws that protect animals from abuse. In The Case for Animal Rights