There is a growing awareness of animal rights in the Western World. 3% of the UK population (1.8 million people) is now vegetarian and an increasing number are becoming vegan - avoiding all animal products including milk and cheese.
Some vegetarians cite health reasons for their choice, but most point to what they call 'unnecessary animal cruelty and slaughter'. They say that billions of people live healthily on vegetarian diets, that animal farming is much less efficient that using land for grains and vegetables, and most importantly: that is is morally wrong to kill animals who think, feel and suffer.
They say that if animals are so closely related to humans that they can be used for medical research, then they need to be thought of as our cousins, not our dinner. Some go even further and say that adult pigs and cows, for example, are more aware of the world than infant humans - therefore, if it is murder to kill infant humans it is also murder to kill pigs.
The meat industry, on the other hand, claims that animals are much lesser beings than humans and have only minimal (a small number) of rights. They say that if animals are killed 'humanely' and have lived good lives there is nothing wrong in killing them. They say that to liken meat to murder is absurd. They also say they have a right to farm as they please, and that they support the world economy in a massive way.
What do you think? Is meat MURDER?
Do you agree that we should continue to kill animals for food?
Read More
idebate.org/debatabase/debates/health/house-would-go-vegetarian idebate.org/debatabase/debates/science-technology/house-would-ban-animal-testing www.animalsaustralia.org/features/dairy-calcium-myth.php www.alternet.org/health/86942 www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1358523/Red-meat-good-After-warnings-Sunday-roast-linked-heart-d...