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Hello, my name is Alison Hamlin, I'm an
Associate Professor at the UCD School of
Veterinary Medicine in Ireland, and I've
been asked to define "zoocentrism."
Zoocentrism comes from the Greek words for
animal — ζώο (zóo) — and central —
κεντρικός (kentrikós) — and it relates to
ethical values that focus on animal
interests.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines 
"zoocentric" as "centered upon the animal
world; regarding or treating the animal
kingdom as a central fact."
Whilst animals are central to zoocentric
philosophies, humans may also be
considered as part of the moral community.
Zoocentrism emerged from the social
justice movement in the late 18th century,
such as the abolition of human slavery and
the suffragette movement.
A growing awareness and concern for
animals resulted in the establishment of
animal protection organizations, such as
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals in England, which, after royal
decree, became the RSPCA in 1824, and it
continues to be a leading organization 
today.
The focus of the animal protection 
movement evolved to reflect societal
concern.
For example, public disquiet regarding the
use of animals for medical research
resulted in the formation of
anti-vivisection societies in the UK in
1875.
By the following year, the Cruelty to 
Animals Act was published — the first law
in the UK to regulate animal 
experimentation.
The second wave of societal concern for 
the treatment of animals occurred in the
1960s with the publication of Ruth 
Harrison's book, "Animal Machines," which
raised awareness of intensive livestock 
production.
It sparked a series of events leading to
the UK Government's Brambell Report
recommending that farm animals should have
"five freedoms," which initially focused
on the spatial allowance of animals.
A revised version of the five freedoms 
remains in use today, and is applied
across a variety of animal sectors.
The societal concern triggered by
Harrison's book also catalyzed the
development of modern zoocentric
philosophy, such as Singer's advocacy of
treating equal interests equally, and Tom
Regan's animal rights doctrine, amongst
others.
It also signaled the emergence of animal
welfare science and regulatory reform.
Today, the focus of regulations on animal
welfare in the European Union and other
countries has evolved and is evolving to
reflect scientific evidence on animals'
needs.
To conclude, zoocentrism recognizes
animals as a central part of the moral
community.
It emerged from the social justice 
movement in the late 18th century, and
following the second wave of concern in
the 1960s, has evolved to create modern
zoocentric ethical theories under animal
welfare science.
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