Speciesism () is the differing treatment or moral consideration of individuals based on their species membership. In short, it is the prejudice or discrimination based on species. This involves treating members of one species as morally more important than members of other species in the context of their similar interests. Some definitions of speciesism also require that the treatment be unjustified as part of the term's definition, whereas others define it as differential treatment without regard to whether the treatment is justified or not.