Robert Seitter 04/01/13

TOK IA (Outline) – Chinese Fur Farms
Introduction
Throughout the years the constant conflict of the Chinese fur farms has been an ongoing controversial issue that spans within a great amount of areas of knowledge. Within the Chinese fur farms animals the main goal of the production process is to make a maximum profit – at the expense of the animals. Organizations such as EU, and the UN have tried to impose policies upon china for the safety of the animals but the Chinese fur farms have yet to treat the animals ethically. Many efforts by global organizations such as PETA have been made to ban fur trading with china but despite that the fur trade with china has only strengthened and become a larger, lucrative powerful monopoly.

Period. 8 - Blackmon

Areas of Knowledge
History Human Sciences Ethics

Ways of Knowing
Perception Emotion Reasoning

Topic A – History (Politics)
What political involvement does the U.S. have with the Chinese fur trade? What policies are implemented within China & the United States that deals with the protection of animals? UN, and the EU primarily deal with political issues regarding the fur trade. Federal Fur Labeling Act Law

Topic A Counterclaim
Why do the UN and EU feel the need to implement laws on China regarding the ethical treatment of animals? Foreign nations have no right to urge animal cruelty laws imposing their beliefs on China.

Topic B Counterclaim Topic B – Human Science (Economy)
The Chinese fur trade has become a large monopoly that has gained control of most of the east pacific supply of fur. They maximize profit at the expense of the animals. The largest consumers of fur are North America and Northern Europe. Furs are mislabeled causing the consumers to distinguish between fake and real fur. Furs are also labeled as fake due to the surplus amount of furs. In reaction to Paul McCartney's criticism of Chinese fur farms, a spokesperson for the Chinese ambassador in London claims Americans and Europeans should take the blame because the fur industry mostly feeds their markets; bringing up the question of whether the animal cruelty taking place on fur farms is mostly the producer's or consumer's fault. Chinese culture emphasizes that animals are subordinate to man as his tools and property, according to Professor Song Wei of University of Science and Technology of China. Why are we as a country against the fur trade and why do we keep on demanding more if were against it?

Topic C Counterclaim

Topic C – Ethics (Animal Rights)
Animals such as raccoon dogs, minks, and lynx are raised on fur farms in inhumane conditions: tiny cages, inadequate food/water, and no veterinary care forced to live with injury, illness and psychological damage. Some domestic animals like dogs and cats are taken from owners or from the street for their fur. Instead of euthanasia, fur farm workers electrocute, drown, beat to death, and even skin the creatures alive to obtain the fur product.

TOK IA (Outline) – Chinese Fur Farms

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