Cocoamone For Chocolates

In his article, “Let Them Eat Dog”, Jonathan Safran Foer analyzes the American taboo of eating dog. In doing so, Foer explores the implication of an important question surrounding animal rights – what differentiates a food source from its fellow creatures? Initially, Foer illustrates the differing views of dog consumption around the world, and subsequently questions the logic behind the American conscience. Dog and other companion animals, Foer reasons, are only exempt from consumption based on loose claims of intelligence and affection. He is quick to indicate that livestock, such as pigs, possess an equal level of intellect and provide similar displays of affection. Consequently, Foer proves the differences between food sources and other

Jonathan Safran, a vegetarian, states that, in his Juvenalian article “A Case for Eating Dog” the human race should be condemned for eating an animal’s meat, for it is a moral taboo to do so. Safran argues that eating any animal, be it a cow, or a dog, is something to take ignominy in. The author, Jonathan Safran, uses the satirical device of travesty to create a serious, firm atmosphere, which conveys that eating animals is a shameful practice. Safran argues that while, yes, a large number of dogs-and other animals for that matter- are wasted every year, it doesn’t give us permission to eat animals every bit as smart as animals we do eat. It is stated that “pigs are just as smart as dogs”, but we still eat them (Safran PPG 5).

For centuries, man has relied on animals for clothing, food, and transportation. However, the recent increase in technological advancements has been accompanied by a rise of animal consumption. Currently, the average person consumes an exceptional amount of meat each year. In order to compensate for this, an overwhelming amount of changes has enveloped the meat industry. Animals aren’t raised, they are manufactured. Eric Schlosser, the author of “Fast Food Nation” uses imagery, understatements, and short sentences when describing his visit to a meat packing plant to develop his argument against the inhumaneness of the meat industry.

Norcross gives the case of Fred, a man who suffered head trauma in a car accident. After discovering that he can no longer taste chocolate, Fred discovers that “the accident had irreparably damaged the godiva gland, which secretes cocoamone, the hormone responsible for the experience of chocolate” (230). It turns out that tormented and abused puppies could produce cocoamone if they suffered enough stress and physical pain. Fred set up a lab in his basement and kept the puppiies in cages only letting them out to be abused so they could produce the hormone and he could taste chocolate again. Norcross argues that if Fred’s behavior is wrong then it is wrong to support factory farming.

A poll conducted by the ASPCA revealed that 94% of Americans believe that production animals, specifically those raised for food, deserve to live a comfortable life free of cruelty and neglect. Despite this belief, many factory farm animals are abused and neglected in such ways that, if witnessed by consumers, would not be accepted. Over 99% of the United State’s farm animals live on factory farms that use them for means of profit, many of them violating the Animal Welfare Act and other laws put in place to protect the humane treatment of animals (ASPCA). This abuse is not limited to any specific type of farm animal. Although different animals are used for different purposes, they all share a common suffering and a need for humane care.

After the guilt sets in from eating for the sake of pleasure, Scruton brings forth a multitude of facts and makes an effort to appeal to ethos. To do this, he addresses the benefits of small-scale livestock farming, the use of animals in scientific experimentation, and the actions taken against animals that promote harm. This flood of ethical evidence continues to leave readers wondering if Scruton is a vegetarian himself.

The message I want to convey to the audience is that puppy mills are wrong and cruel to the unhealthy dogs living in filthy conditions in their farms. Through studying particular areas of this issue, I have highlighted the areas

Fred says that his actions are justified because he is not a sadist, he is simply trying to be able to enjoy chocolate. He argues that, “He sympathizes with those who are horrified by the pain and misery of the animals, but the court must realize that human pleasure is at stake. The puppies, while undeniably cute, are mere animals”. While Fred admits that he would be just as physically healthy if he did not consume chocolate, he argues that his life would be impoverished without the experience of eating it. Despite his justification, Fred’s actions caused public outrage.

People are not prone to agree with one another. If you gather a dozen people together for a dinner party and the subject turns to politics or religion, then there is inevitably going to be an argument. There is one thing, however, that there is a near universal consensus on: chocolate is a wonderful and delicious thing.

1. I agree that Fred acts immorally in the case that Norcross describes because society does not see puppies as a source of food. Society sees puppies as part of their family. Usually the meat factory has their restrictions of which animals are comestible, if they didn't we wouldn’t have any animals at the zoo or any pets. Puppies are not comestible, however pigs, chickens and cows are.

Norcross’ inference is “If we are going to condemn Fred for torturing puppies merely to enhance his gustatory experiences, should we similarly condemn the millions who purchase and consume factory-raised meat?” I do not think that the situations between factory-raised meat and Fred with the puppies are the same. I think the inference is bad because Norcross automatically assumes that almost everyone feel the same way about the animals raised in factories. He also thinks that they are morally the same, which I do not. Norcross claims that there are many public campaigns for the way the farm animals are treated, but I have never seen one, I usually see things about supporting your local

Our nation’s industrial farming has become more than just feeding people; it has become a way for the food industry to make more money as human population continues to grow. Jonathan Safran Foer in his book Eating Animals, illustrates the effects factory farming has had on animals meant for human consumption. Furthermore, Foer asks many questions to the reader on what will it take for us to change our ways before we say enough is enough. The questions individuals need to be asking themselves are: how do we deal with the problem of factory farming, and what can people do to help solve these issues? Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation, also illustrates the animal abuse that goes unseen within the food industry as well as Bernard Rollin and Robert Desch in their article “Farm Factories”, both demonstrate what is wrong today with factory farming. Foer gives such examples of employees who work in slaughterhouses giving accounts of what goes on in the kill floors, and stories of employees who have witnessed thousands and thousands of cows going through the slaughter process alive (Animals 231). Namit Arora in the article “On Eating Animals”, as well as Michael Pollan in his book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, both address some of the issues that animals face once they hit the kill floor. The food industry has transformed not only how people eat, but also the negative effects our climate endures as a result of factory farming as illustrated by Anna Lappe in “The Climate Crisis at the End

Today, the food industry has not just altered the American diet, but it has also had a negative effect within the labor sector as well as the animals meant for consumption and the lack of government oversight. Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation, and Jonathan Foer in Eating Animals, illustrate the mistreatment of labor workers as well as the animal abuse that goes unseen within the food industry. Foer gives such examples of employees who work in slaughterhouses giving accounts of what goes on in the kill floors, and stories of employees who have witnessed thousands and thousands of cows going through the slaughter process alive (231). Eating meat does not have to be so inhumane for example, Foer quotes Frank Reese, who does not permit inhumane practices on his ranch that are cruel, and Reese believes that there are other ways of having a sustainable humane animal agriculture instead of the methods of the large corporate meat industry (238). Namit Arora in the article “On Eating Animals”, as well as Michael Pollan in his book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, address some of the issues that animals face once they hit the kill floor. The food industry has transformed not only what people eat, but how the government has neglected the issues of the wellbeing of labor workers and the animals that are processed for consumption.

The transportation cost of chocolate was high and small mom and pop stores commonly supplied chocolate made locally. Today you would be hard-pressed to find local chocolate in the United States, with the shelves dominated by four major brands. The

In addition to his solutions, Pollan’s modern narrative sheds light on the façade of our food industries; asking us to rethink what we know. Despite the mention of certain inhumane acts in All Animals are Equal, Pollan takes us one step further to uncover the reason for which we continue to purchase our corrupt food. We all know animal abuse exists, but the average consumer like myself is more worried about the best price and the fastest way to get a burger rather than how fairly the animals are treated in the process. Whether it be the confined living space of chickens or the mental and physical torture of pigs, we continue to blind ourselves from reality. Is it purely out of selfishness? Or are we too ignorant to come to terms with our wrong doings? Like Pollan explains, it takes seeing the abuse before the shame of our disrespect can be felt (pg.6). After seeing Pollan’s truth, I might now think twice before eating out and the choice to support organic produce can make a dramatic difference for those farmers who promote the ethical lifestyle.