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Forum 10: Bonds Conference: Forum 10: Bonds
Bonds between Animals and Humans Hansjoachim Hackbarth, School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany Andreas Steiger, University of Berne, Switzerland Working with animals allows man to experience in a challenging way his ambivalent attitude to Nature - the desire to use and to change, but also to protect and preserve. During man's evolution, he has taken many animals into his care and made use of them as domestic livestock, as suppliers of meat, milk, eggs and other products, or as his companion during the hunt or in the house. This background explains the considerable interest by the general public in the problems of livestock farming and animal welfare. The relationship of man to domestic animals is currently characterised by two quite opposite developments: farm animals are kept in large groups where the main target is maximum productivity. The contact between the stockperson and individual animals is largely no longer present. For pets in modern industrial society with its tendency towards isolation of individuals, the meaning of "companion" is emphasised. In this way, animals fulfil an important function within the context of "social hygiene". Goals of the scientific discourse
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