“A Change of Heart about Animals” by Jeremy Rifkin

One of Rifkin’s claims is that animals are more like humans than we realize. Researchers have discovered that animals feel many of the same emotions that humans do. They feel pain, suffer and experience stress, affection, excitement, and even feel love. Rifkin also claims that many fast food restaurants are the ones that are funding research. Fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC are among the many that provide funds for research.  Because of the funds given by McDonalds, they have found that pigs crave affection and are easily depressed if left alone or denied time with other pigs. Another one of his claims is that because of the research that has been done, it is changing how humans view animals. Rifkin’s last claim is that learned behavior is genetically wired activity. Learning is passed on from parent to offspring. Scientists know that geese have to teach their offspring their migration routes. Rifkin makes his article very persuasive by comparing animals to humans.  Rifkin uses examples of how animals have similar emotions as humans. This makes the reader realize that animals aren’t as different from humans as they may think. This also further helps the author gain support for research. I do think that Rifkin’s strategy was effective because he gives many examples of how animals are more similar to humans that most people think. It makes people rethink things and think about the idea in a whole new light.