Speciesism is a term used in philosophy and animal ethics for the treatment of individuals according to their species membership. The term has several definitions. Some writers define it as discrimination or unjustified treatment based on species membership, while others define it more broadly as prioritizing some species over others, regardless of whether that prioritization is justified. Richard D. Ryder, who coined the term, defined it as "a prejudice or attitude of bias in favour of the interests of members of one's own species and against those of members of other species".
