The intrinsic moral value of individuals: A bioethical approach to domestic cats and damaged species

Abstract

The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) is present on all continents, but only in some regions of the earth it can be considered native. All domestic cats originated from SWA and Egypt and, in theory, can be considered alien species in the rest of the world. However, the expansion of the cat in the Old World has begun during the Neolithic and ended, hypothetically, a thousand years ago. This time is probably sufficient to allow predator-prey relationships to develop, unlike in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the New World, where the domestic cat was introduced between the early 1600 s and 1800 s. In these countries, the domestic cats do much more damage, contributing to the declines and, in some cases, to the extinction of vulnerable wild species, in particular on islands. But how can we define 'damage'? In biological terms, it is not possible to give a definition because ‘damage' is a human moral category. Consequently, decisions on the management of 'harmful' animal populations are entirely the prerogative of human beings and at the service of resolving the interests of the human species, which vary in different parts of the earth. Based on the most basic dictates of bioethics, the domestic cats deserve 'humane' methods of control because they are sentient animals capable of experiencing suffering and, as such, have intrinsic moral value. But prey are sentient animals, too. And, therefore, have intrinsic moral value as well and are bearers of interests. The problem of safeguarding domestic cats and wildlife survival and welfare of both is, at present, unsolved. There are several positions on this issue, and some of them are mentioned. Probably, there is no solution to this problem except to humanize the methods of controlling feral and owned domestic cats, and other species of super-predators and meso-predators, as much as possible, in order to safeguard the damaged prey species. To this aim, it is urgent to increase scientific research to make usable those methods, like genetic biocontrols and/or contraceptive baits to reduce cat fertility, that are already under study but not yet available.But it is time to give up with further hypocrisy: this is a problem created by human beings through their unwise behaviour and choices. Humans represent the most invasive vertebrate species and, in a way, their management of other species, including the domestic cat, is one of the many factors by which he has manifested his invasiveness.