Ethical Considerations That Determine People’s Choices in Eating Meat

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Ethical Issues
Environmental Issues
Health Benefits of Grass-Fed
Environmental Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef
Counterargument
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The beef was long the most popular protein source in the United States. Beef is still the most popular red meat. Despite the fact that some people do not eat beef because they believe cattle are holy creatures and because it is more costly than pork or chicken, beef remains the world’s third most popular meat per capita. According to Davis and Lin, “beef is a highly consumed meat in the United States, averaging 67 pounds per person per year” (2005, p. 1). The question is, what are some of the ethical considerations that determine people’s choices in eating meat? People should limit their beef consumption for ethical and environmental reasons, and the beef that they do eat should be humanely raised, locally sourced, and grass-fed. People should reconsider eating meat in general, as it is an essential part of our world today.

Cattle ranchers are discovering that treating their cows well may still bring in record money, even as beef consumption in the United States continues to drop year after year. Prices have climbed to near-record levels, despite falling consumption. In recent years, drought and high cow feed prices have pushed ranchers to liquidate herds, which has been a significant factor. However, some buyers are switching to higher-quality beef cuts, which is helping.

Ethical Issues

Masculinity

People who respect masculinity, love meat without seeing it as a moral concern and tolerate domination and inequality are the most likely to consume animals. Meat-eating is further supported by the perception of animals as being quite different from humans and lacking mental characteristics such as the ability to feel pain. Aside from these ideas, attitudes, and perceptions, consuming meat activates psychological mechanisms that control unpleasant feelings linked with eating animals.

CAFO

A CAFO, which stands for Concentrated Animal Feeding Facility, is a large cattle operation. CAFO animals are kept in an area with no vegetation for at least 45 days each year. Open feedlots and massive, windowless structures with animals confined in cages or stalls are examples of CAFOs. Animals are frequently mutilated to assist their confinement in such filthy and stressful conditions, including cattle horns, the beaks of birds, and the tail docking of sheep, dairy cattle, and pigs.

Environmental Issues

Crop

Planting the same crop every year without rotating crops or relaxing the soil is known as monoculture. In spite of the fact that this approach has a number of distinct advantages, it is environmentally unsound and can cause severe economic issues for farmers. Additionally, extensive cow, pig, and poultry farms can cause runoff concerns.

Regions of the World

In many western countries, this is under control, but it poses a significant threat to the water quality in much of the rest of the globe. In all regions of the world, antibiotic resistance is on the rise. Our capacity to cure common infectious illnesses is threatened by new resistance mechanisms developing and spreading internationally.

Health Benefits of Grass-Fed

Health Benefits

Weight growth has been linked to high omega-6 consumption and a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in both animal and human studies, while a high omega-3 intake reduces weight gain risk. Meats such as beef are among the most popular forms of meat in the world. High-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals are abundant in meat. As a result, it may enhance muscle development and maintenance, and exercise performance, according to research. Due to its iron content, it may help reduce the risk of anemia in some people.

Comparison between Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Meet

Grass-fed beef is generally regarded to be healthier than grain-fed beef. The overall fat content is lower per pound, and consequently, the calories are lower. This fat also has a distinct nutritional composition. Antibiotics and growth hormones can also be administered to grain-fed cows to help them gain weight faster.

Environmental Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef

Benefits

In addition to providing more nutrients and taste to cattle and plants, grass-fed beef may also improve its nutritional content and flavor. Und because grasses absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, a grass-fed system can also assist combat climate change. To produce the same amount of meat, however, more acreage is needed.

Vegetarians and Carbon Footprint

Vegetarians can reduce their carbon footprint by consuming dairy products such as Halloumi cheese, yogurt, and crème fraîche in addition to meat, although the reduction is minimal. The research recommends cutting back on dairy products, boosting fruit and vegetable intake, and eating meat once a day for protein and energy. It calls this a ‘two-thirds vegan’ diet for environmental reasons.

Counterargument

Deforestation not only contributes to global warming by rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, but it also raises the warmth radiating from the ground directly. Transpiration is the process through which plants emit water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves. As a result of traffic, air and water quality, and noise, have become major environmental concerns. As a result of transportation infrastructure, particularly motorized vehicle emissions and noise, pollution impacts the environment.

Conclusion

As a result of the animals not being confined to a feedlot in grass-fed beef production, it is more humane. According to some research, the grain diet has also been shown to induce liver damage and acidity in cattle raised in CAFOs. Grazing and grass-fed systems that are well-managed are beneficial for the environment. As a result, they utilize less energy-intensive inputs, disperse manure more uniformly and enhance the quality and quantity of forage growth by routinely moving animals to fresh pastures and keeping them away from streambeds. The majority of the population values the practical and emotional benefits of employing animals to aid humans.

Animals employed in research, testing, and training must be treated with compassion and utilized humanely. Also, there are scientific grounds for treating study animals humanely. Afterward, because the meat is such an integral component of our life now, people should rethink eating meat in general

References

Davis, C. G., & Lin, B. H. (2005). Factors affecting US beef consumption. US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.

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