Do Animals Owe Us for Bringing Them Into Existence?

I sometimes hear non-vegans point out that many nonhuman animals wouldn't even exist if it weren't for animal use as if this is justification for using animals. It is certainly true that most of the animals who are currently used as property of humans are alive only because humans have chosen to bring them into this world for their purposes. But does that mean we are doing them a favor?

There is no harm in not being born. There is no interest in living in someone who has never even existed. We would never claim that all human females ought to have children so as not to deny non-existent children the right to live.

Also, a life of slavery is not better than no life at all. That does not mean that those who are currently slaves should be killed, but it does mean that bringing someone into an existence as a piece of property is not better than not bringing someone into existence at all.

Bringing someone into the world, does not give one the excuse to do what they want with that someone. We know this, as we would not make the claim that it is okay to harm our own children since they would not be here if we had not brought them into existence in the first place.

There is no justification for treating a sentient being as a piece of property. We do not need to exploit animals. Nonhuman animals are not things, nor are they inferior. They are sentient beings, and like humans, they have interests in living and being free from harm.

If you are not vegan, please go vegan. All sentient beings have the right to not be treated as property and used for our purposes. Being vegan is the least we can do if we respect all sentient beings.