This issue involves many complex aspects such as ethics, science, and ecology, and requires careful and multi-angle thinking. The following are discussions on several key perspectives： ### 1. **Survival and ecological balance** -**Natural food chain**: In nature, the survival of predators will inevitably lead to the suffering and death of other animals, which is a necessary mechanism to maintain ecological balance. For example, wolves control the number of deer and avoid excessive consumption of vegetation. -**Human survival needs**: Some aboriginal communities still rely on hunting for protein. This limited hunting may be regarded as a necessary means for cultural continuity and survival. ### 2. **Scientific research and medical progress** - **Ethical disputes over animal experiments**: Some medical breakthroughs (such as vaccine research and development) rely on animal experiments, but they must follow the "3R Principle" (substitution, reduction, optimization). For example, monkeys were used in the development of the polio vaccine, which saved millions of human lives. -**Alternative technology development**: With the advancement of organoids, computer models and other technologies, in vivo experiments have been reduced in many fields, but complete replacement still takes time. ### 3. **Agriculture and food production** -**The dilemma of industrial farming**: Global demand for meat has led to intensive farming, which has caused animal welfare disputes. However, a sudden and complete ban may cause a nutritional crisis and require gradual reforms (such as the promotion of plant meat and cell culture meat). -**Cultural traditions**: Some religious rituals or traditional cultures involve animal sacrifice, and cultural protection and animal rights must be balanced. ### 4. **Differences in ethical framework** -**Utilitarian perspective**: If animal suffering can bring greater overall benefits (such as saving endangered species), it may be considered necessary. -**Animal rights Theory**: Scholars such as Peter Singer believe that any behavior that regards animals as a means rather than an end is improper. -**Ecocentrism**: Emphasizes that the overall health of the ecosystem takes priority over individual suffering. ### 5. **Strict definition of necessity** -**Principle of last resort**: Only when there is no substitute and the purpose is extremely important (such as research on deadly infectious diseases), it may be accepted by some ethics committees. -**Proportional principle**: The degree of pain must be reasonably proportional to the potential benefits. For example, cosmetic testing has been banned in many countries because it is not in the category of "necessary". ### Key reflection points： -**Anthropocentric prejudice**: Do we overestimate the importance of our own needs? -**The possibility of technological substitution**: Many "necessary sacrifices" in history have become unnecessary due to scientific and technological progress. -**Minimization of pain**: Even if certain necessities are accepted, how can we ensure that pain is absolutely minimized? There is no simple answer to this question, but the contemporary trend is that with the emergence of alternatives and the advancement of social ethics, the scope of "necessary sacrifice" is continuing to shrink. Each specific case requires a rigorous ethical assessment, not a general conclusion.