Hundreds of millions. That’s how many livestock are slaughtered each year in the United States. Livestock is the term for animals such as cows, pigs, chickens. The animal agriculture business raises these animals with the intent of using their products, and or killing them. Although there are a few practical causes to consume animal byproducts, including unique, health-based nutritional needs, like illnesses such as anemia, the most common excuse is, “But it tastes good.” There is an ongoing debate between those who eat animal byproducts and those who choose not to (vegans) over whether a plant-based diet or an animal consumption diet is better in general. So, the question stands—should everyone adopt a vegan lifestyle? Yes, because it is not ethical to eat meat, or any animal byproducts, as it opposes animal rights and especially harms the environment.
Although values differ among people, there are a few basic principles that most of American society follows. Many people recognize that killing a human is below the societal standard. However, when it comes to livestock, many people disagree. After asking my classes, family, and friends, I received many reasons why people eat animal byproducts. Opponents of veganism all had similar arguments— meat and eggs provide protein, meat simply tastes delicious, and they were raised on those foods. If humans were not supposed to eat byproducts of animals, then why do our bodies digest and retrieve nutrients from them? Proponents will
As humanity becomes more civilized, many of us perceive that eating livestock is morally incorrect, but aren’t we are designed to be an omnivore? Our teeth and digestive system serve the purpose of breaking down animal and plant foods and to bring these important nutrients to every part of the body. Despite the fact that, in 2011, U.S. meat and poultry production reached more than 92.3 billion pounds, the ethic of killing and eating animals as well as the concern of the environmental burden caused by the production of meats is debatable. However, animal based diet is necessary for the human body to function properly and we can choose the meat produced from environmentally sustainable farms to avoid the moral ambiguity.
Over fifty-six billion animals are slaughtered yearly for consumption, but because we are conditioned from a young age to view animals as resources, we neglect that they are passionate and intelligent living beings. Cows want to enjoy their lives, pigs want to enjoy their lives, and many other farm animals want to enjoy their lives but instead are abused and confined in small cages. Ironically, though, when someone does likewise to a cat or dog, they’re prosecuted. The sole solution to these inhumane acts is Veganism. Veganism is the ideal diet because plant-based foods are plentiful, and it recognizes the unethical treatment of animals.
Morally, one may feel obligated to exercise Vegetarianism due to the inhumane treatment of animals throughout the farming process. The issue is that roughly ten billion animals are raised for United States food consumption alone. Animals such as cows, fish, chickens, pigs, and turkeys are subjected to
More than 150 billion animals are slaughtered each year. “Every year in America, without mercy, we murder 10 billion land animals, and 18 billion marine animals. Not for health, survival, sustenance or self-defense. People eat meat, cheese, milk and eggs for 4 reasons: habit, tradition, convenience, and taste.” (Yourofsky). Making people go vegan for a month or years, can significantly drop the high amount of animal cruelty that happen each day. This can cause an growth in the animal population. It can help animals live a happy life instead of being trap in a slaughterhouse waiting for their
Harvard Medical School defines a vegan as a person who does, “not eat meat, poultry, fish, or any products derived from animals, including eggs, dairy products, and gelatin.” (p.1). With veganism gaining more and more popularity in the media and in the western culture, debates have sprung up about whether or not this diet and lifestyle proves to be healthy. Countless studies and experiments have been conducted, and the results have shown that a vegan diet can prove to be a more beneficial diet then the standard American Diet. But, with large food corporations and drug companies in the way, Americans find it harder to switch to the plant-based diet. The vegan diet time and time again shows its outstanding power in reducing
Many people consider going vegan to reap the proposed health benefits of going without animal products in their diet. Some go vegan in support of protesting the inhumane treatment of livestock during the production of animal food products. While both of those arguments may be justified in their own right; a more recent argument is that all humans should take to a vegetable based diet to save our planet. Some propose that by consuming animal products we may be contributing to global warming. In George C. Wang’s article Go Vegan, Save the Planet, he suggests that we allow ourselves to be called to action as “global citizens” to address
People today are more diverse and open minded than they used to be, they want to try new things. Maybe to eat healthier, or become humane. But some like to stick to the traditions, to what they know. Gary Steiner’s Essay “Animal,Vegetable, Miserable” evaluates society’s procedure when it comes to animal consumption. He further explains his take on things, and why the stance of being a vegan in today’s society can be a very hard one. In the segment of “The Ethical Choices in What We Eat” is an array of analysis and opinions back to editor involving the essay, “Animal, Vegetable, Miserable” by Gary Steiner. Including thoughts on Steiner’s argument and what it truly means to be vegan. Is there really black and white when it comes to being a
The main reason people decide to go vegan, is for the animals. To prevent the exploitation, because of emotional attachments to them, because of the belief that all creatures have the right to life and freedom,
Not so long ago, vegetarians were viewed as eccentrics, and most people didn't even know what (-- removed HTML --) a vegan (-- removed HTML --) was. Now, thank goodness, eating a plant-based diet is becoming far more mainstream, and restaurants and supermarkets provide easy access to more meat-free options than ever before. However, (-- removed HTML --) being a vegan isn't just about what you eat (-- removed HTML --) . It's about the desire to create a compassionate and healthy world that is safe for ALL living things, and making conscious decisions that reflect that desire. Living responsibly is becoming infinitely easier with the ever-increasing availability of all manner of organic, cruelty-free, and sustainably-sourced
Preconception allows us to refuse others the rights that we demand ourselves. If you wouldn’t eat your dog, why eat a chicken? All animals feel pain equally, but it’s preconception based on species that allows us to consider one animal as a pet and the other as lunch. Veganism is a complex topic. However the most vital subjects that define veganism are; “Why vegan?”, history, diet, and animal testing. The path of veganism is initially for the animals. Many choose to go vegan because they want to take a stand against the corrupt slaughter industry. Vegan for your health, animal by-products are disease ridden. A vegan diet
Now, I'm not here to defend my views or give you some specific scientific evidence to why what I'm saying is true or try to convince you to go vegan yourself because let's be honest, you're not going to take nutritional advice from a seventeen year old. In the past year and however many months, I've really seen up close what I consider to be humanity's greatest flaw; our inability to consider other people's views and opinions once we are set
It doesn’t make sense to eat meat when there is no need to do so. Humans can live long, happy, and healthy lives on an all plant-based food diet. Sense this is correct, there is no need to continue to put these animals in pain that is no longer necessary for our survival. The treatment of these animals is inhumane and brutal. This treatment is equivalent to a person beating up your dog and killing it because they think it is fun. The only plausible reason humans eat meat is merely for the taste of it. Who doesn’t like a nice juicy steak, but if you were to really know about what it took for that piece of meat to reach your dinner table and truly understand the pain and suffering, then you would never order that piece of steak again.
To begin, a vegan diet is a way to end animal cruelty in factories and farms. Animal cruelty begins in giant indoor farms that keep animal confined to cages and barely have any sunlight, known as animal factories, so that countries can meet the demand for meat, cheeses and other products. Two-thirds of the animal population, which include chickens, turkey, cow, pigs and other commonly eaten animals, live in these factories but the animals are not in healthy environment at all. The animals live there own waste in small, confined
As different crazes and fads are appearing each day, we have come to expect them to simply fade away as the hype passes. However, veganism has stood the test of time in our fad society and is still increasing in popularity. Originally only thought to be a religious lifestyle, many people from different walks of life are becoming vegans. However, this poses many questions and sparks heated debates, mainly from omnivorous people who believe that veganism is against life’s natural order. Vegans, then, argue against an omnivorous lifestyle by bringing up facts about humans’ biological makeup and how humans are, contrary to popular belief, herbivorous by nature, not omnivorous. While both sides present good arguments to some, the veganism lifestyle contains more benefits and less harmful cons than an omnivorous lifestyle.
Some would not be able to live without eating any animal products in their diets, such as, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and honey. For vegans, however, this is a normal way of life. Vegans are frequently misunderstood as either people who have eating disorders, or an unnatural passion for animal rights. It is time for people to realize that veganism, a challenging yet rewarding lifestyle, goes way beyond being skinny or caring for animals. In reality, veganism can be extremely advantageous to anyone who adapts it as a way of life and has many different benefits that come along with it.