Barbara Diaz
Mr. Walsh
Honors English 11, 4th hour
December 17, 2012
Title
Most people do not think about the fact that the meat in their hamburger deluxe combo was once a tortured animal, the ribs they ate the other week was once an abused pig in a tiny crate, or that the chicken they bought from KFC was drugged and bred so large to the point where it could not even walk. This is reality. This is what occurs behind the curtain. This is what fast food commercials do not mention. That happy farm with blue skies and large pastures is only a reality in children’s storybooks. The truth is; if slaughterhouses were made out of glass windows, everyone would be a vegetarian, especially if you compared that to a greenhouse. It is sickening to
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The largest epidemiological study ever conducted found that those eating the amount of animal foods typical for Americans have seventeen times the death rate from heart disease, and, for women, five times the rate of breast cancer than those who get five percent or less of their protein from animal foods. Meat also contains fourteen times the amount of pesticides as plant foods. If you want to improve your health, becoming a vegetarian is a great way of doing so. Lastly but most importantly, the easiest thing a person can do to lessen animal suffering is simple: do not eat them. Becoming a vegetarian is the most effective way of lessening animal suffering. Animals are living things just like you and me; they can feel both emotional and physical pain. About eight billion animals are killed for food in the U.S. a year. What makes matters worse is that these animals are not taken care of or killed humanely. Animals are usually raised in cramped confinement operations, which is known as factory farming. Chickens are crammed into cages, and they are debeaked to keep them from pecking each other to death. Animals are pumped full of powerful drugs to kill diseases because of unhealthy living conditions and to make them grow and produce faster than nature intended. Cows and chickens are inhumanely slaughtered and made into low-grade meat (found in fast-food and some pet food) when they stop producing milk and eggs as the younger
“For most humans, especially for those in modern urban and suburban communities, the most direct form or contact with non-human animals is at meal time: we eat them. This simple fact is the key to what each one of us can do about changing these attitudes. The use and abuse of animals raised for food far exceeds, in sheer numbers of animals affected, any other kind of mistreatment” (Coats). The most effective method to stop this cruelty is to learn about where the meat comes from, by supporting the organic and family farms which will ultimately lead to the reducing the amount of animals that have to suffer (PETA). More than 95 percent of animal abuse in America occurs in the meat packing industry (Harper & Low). Animals suffer an unimaginable amount, they are raised to be killed, then bought and then consumed. In order to help fight back against the abuse, there needs to be a cut back on the amount of meat or poultry that is consumed. Seriously consider the option of becoming a vegetarian; by not eating meat, you completely stop supporting animal
Meals with more fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of several different cancers among many other diseases. Vegetarians generally have lower body weight than those who eat a significant amount of meat.
Every year, an average American will consume approximately one hundred-twenty six pounds of meat. This meat can be traced back to factory farms where the animals are kept to be tortured to turn into a product for the appetite of humans. The terrible treatment these animals are forced to endure is the outcome of the greed and want for a faster production of their product. The industry of factory farming works to maximize the output of the meat while maintaining low costs,but will sadly always comes at the animals’ expense.
Many people who think that the way that we treat animals in the process of raising those for human consumption are wrong never stop, to think what they can do to stop this problem from further occurring. Furthermore, they make impassioned calls for more “humanely” raised meat. Instead to soothe their consciences they shop for “free range” meat, and eggs; which has no importance. Even if an animal is raised ‘free range” it still lives s life of pain and suffering that all ends with a butcher’s knife. Although many know that over 53 billion land animals are slaughtered each year for human utilization they still tend to eat this meat with no problem. The simple explanation is that many don’t care what happens to animals as long as they are eating and healthy. If they did care then they would what could be a difficult choice; to go without eating meat and selling it in any form.
Animal cruelty is a significant issue, but for reasons unknown, the majority of the population is unaware of the extent of the cruelty directed toward farm animals. Most people do not consider the fact that the animal, now cooked on their dinner plate, was once alive. Consumers should be concerned about where their food comes from. Although trying to educate someone who does not recognize a problem with their lifestyle is a daunting task. (explain what kind of scholarly source here -I.e., the book compassionate choices….-) Compassionate Choices: Making a Difference for Animals attempts to convince meat-lovers that eating animals is cruel. In their brochure, Vegan Outreach effectively
The treatment of animals on slaughterhouse farms get treated like they have no use, when they are of great use to humans. Animals should not get treated like they are useless. The workers that treat animals poorly need to be fired. They are being inhumane and unreasonable. Those animals that are suffering are doing it to provide a meal on millions of people’s tables. The way we kill animals makes no sense. Think about being in those animals positions. What would you want to change if people were skinning you alive, or pounding your head to the ground so you’ll die?
Going vegetarian can help preserve the limited land and water system that us humans take for granted sometimes. Factory farming along with free range farming are destroying the earth and its biodiversity. When people think of pollution like unnecessary CO2 emissions and deforestation of rainforests, they do not think about the animals being raised for consumption. In an article, “Concentrated animal Agriculture Is The Biggest
Antioxidants and thousands of phytochemicals that protect the body and support good health. Overall vegetarians have a longer life expectancy and lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and the list goes on. But don’t just take my word for it, supports for vegetarian diets comes from numerous organizations including the American cancer society, American College of Cardiology, the Mayo Clinic, Harvard School of public and, the national institutes of Health which says, “Vegetarians may be missing out on grilled hamburgers at picnics, but they tend to also miss out on the major health problems that plagued many Americans”. Just look at the difference in heart disease the number one killer of American, which is twice its size, between those who eat meat and those who are vegetarian. The progression of some of the diseases can not only be halted but reversed in as little as just two to three weeks by switching to a plant based diet. Reducing and eliminating the consumption of meat and meat products with a greener diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts seed and whole grains will lead to a healthier world.
This artificial diet leads to joint problems, which cause the animals to be in constant pain. Such cruelty is not justifiable, and by becoming a vegetarian each individual can make a small difference. On the other hand, eating meat is not cruel or unethical; it is a natural part of the cycle of life. The conditions for animals in modern slaughterhouses are dirty and violent. The lack of rules and regulations cause animals to be treated poorly because the industry is focused on mass production and profit rather than finding more human alternative to run the meat packing business. The most effective method to stop this cruelty is to learn about where meat comes from, start supporting the organic and family farms, which will ultimately lead to reducing the amount of animals that have to suffer. A wise woman named Linda McCartney once said, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone in the world would be a vegetarian.” This is one of the truest statements ever made. If people thought about or saw what really happens to animals in slaughterhouses for more than a second, it would get to them and they would not be able to bring themselves to still be a carnivore. Those animals endure some of the cruelest treatment and neglect. Also, slaughterhouses are kept in the most unsanitary conditions and violate more laws then almost any other business. The slaughter of animals for human consumption should be banned.Based on research and my own personal experience,
Some individuals may have chosen to be Vegetarian for health purposes, or out of respect for animals. The health benefits of not eating meat may reduce the risk of a Heart Attack, Cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes. Meat contains saturated fat. Consuming excessive amounts of meat may cause clogged arteries. Clogged arteries force your heart to beat faster, in order to pump blood through the arteries, resulting in high blood pressure. Compounds broken down in meat produce fatty build up causing clogged arteries, and in some cases resulting in a heart attack. Preservatives, such as nitrate, are used to prevent bacteria in processed meat, and are known to cause cancer. Red meat is high in iron and may diminish insulin’s effectiveness of converting sugar into energy causing diabetes.
There are many reasons why people become vegetarians, but is it really as healthy as it seems. Can simply eating veggies supply you with all the vitamins and proteins your body needs to survive. An estimated 6-8 million people do not eat meat, poultry, or fish. Harris Interactive poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, July 2009).Having your diet mainly consist of fruits and vegetables allows you to consume less saturated fats and cholesterol. Also since you be consuming more plants you will be taking in mote vitamins like vitamins C and E, More fiber, potassium and magnesium. Resulting in a stronger immune system, as well as, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. “Traditionally, vegetarianism focused mainly on potential nutritional deficiencies, but in recent years, the pendulum has swung the other way, and studies are confirming the health benefits of meat-free eating. Nowadays, plant-based eating is recognized as not only nutritionally sufficient but also as a way to reduce the risk for many chronic illnesses”.
Although the US regulates many aspects of animal butchery, citizens are still occasionally kept in the dark about where their meat is coming from, and sometimes that meat can even be given to them under the guise of “cruelty-free.” Unfortunately, the average person is not as aware of this as they should be. If someone does not do something to change the way animals are butchered, it is going to progressively get worse. Humans are animals too, and all animals can feel pain and have their own thoughts. If it is not right for humans to go through avoidable suffering, then how come the avoidable suffering of other animal species just to produce meat is so easily
Animal rights is a very complicated issue. It’s not fair that they get tortured in a very inhumane way. Believe it or not that animals feel pain just like humans because we’re just a different species of animals. “Human demand for meat has led to a quicker production for demand, which means the meat industry production line doesn’t stop for anything, especially sick, disabled and not effectively stunned animals.” (Animal Rights) There are many cases of animals being mistreated and countless videos of them being tortured, getting kicked also bleeding to death. “Animals that are not stunned correctly are still butchered even when they are still conscious.” (Animal Rights) When eating meat, you’re “kidneys work 3x times hard than the kidneys of a vegetarian. There are some cases of retailers rejecting the meat because of the condition when delivered.” (Animal Rights)
Your friend’s dying screams rip through your ears as you shuffle down the cramped trench, abruptly another scream rings out and you know your own demise is imminent. This demonstrates only one horror that livestock encounters in slaughterhouses. However, you can liberate these ill-fated animals; by becoming a vegetarian you not only rescue animals from a ghastly life, but you also boost your own body’s and mind’s health.
More and more people are turning to a vegan diet for the health benefits. Meat is linked to many diseases and illnesses like heart disease and cancer. An article published in Food Technology in October 2012 explained that plant-based diets either minimize or completely eliminate people's