Abstract

ORTIZ MILLAN, Gustavo. Pandemics, zoonoses and wildlife trade. Rev. Bioética y Derecho [online]. 2020, n.50, pp.19-35.  Epub Nov 23, 2020. ISSN 1886-5887.

The COVID-19 pandemic has a zoonotic origin: it was transmitted from animals to humans. The same has happened with other recent epidemics (such as those caused by the virus SARS-CoV-1 and H7N9, among others). These epidemics arose in a context of animal exploitation: the trade in wildlife. Many people have asked for a blanket ban of wildlife trade in wet markets. However, a blanket ban may be counterproductive and have worse consequences both for the animals and for public health. This paper argues against a blanket ban and argues for a progressive regulation that takes into account the welfare of animals, but that has as its final goal the disappearance of trade in wildlife.

Keywords : COVID-19; zoonosis; epidemics; wild animals; legal and illegal trade; regulation.

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