[-V-]

Here's a link to my English 102 research paper which was my personal epiphany regarding my diet.

The Case Against the Production & Consumption of Meat and Dairy Products
and the Human Animal's Discrimination of Other Species (http://progressivesonline.com/vegetarian/anti-meat-research-paper.htm)

It was written in 1992. I was a carnivore, I was non-political, and a different George Bush resided over the land.

It only needed to be 5 pages but once I got started I was compelled to tell the whole story in 25 pages. I've since edited it down, but it is still as scary to me now as it was then. For me, researching it, was to meals what the movie "Jaws" was to swimming in the ocean and what the movie "JFK" was to trusting the powers that be. :eek:

[Wafflepudding]

What's wrong with dairy from organic farms?

[-V-]

Dairy from organic farms is better for your health but, overall, the mass farming of animals for food is still bad for planet earth.

=========================
(excerpt from my research paper)

While most people can readily understand how the consumption of meat and dairy products can impact their health and the lives of the animals they consume, few people are aware of what the science and economic community is growing more concerned about everyday. Indications are that today's factory farming and our consumption of animal products affects world hunger, our forests and topsoil, our water supply, the ozone layer, and our economy.

"Hunger is really a social disease caused by the unjust, inefficient and wasteful control of food", declares John Robbins. "The livestock population of the United States today consumes enough grain and soybeans to feed over five times the entire human population of the country. We feed these animals over 80% of the corn we grow, and over 95% of the oats" (351-353).

Speaking for many environmentalists, Robbins goes on to say that over half of the country's harvest land is used to grow crops for animals and that for every 16 pounds of grain and soybeans we feed cattle, we get back only one pound as beef and 15 pounds as manure. In addition we waste 90% of its protein, 96% of its calories, 100% of its fiber, and 100% of its carbohydrates. Lester Brown of the Overseas Development Council estimates that if Americans were to reduce their meat consumption by only 10%, "it would free enough grain to feed every one of the 60 million human beings who will starve to death on the planet this year" (352). The gravity of the situation is exemplified by the fact that, at the height of the Ethiopia famine in 1984, millions of dollars in food crops were being imported out of Ethiopia to be eaten by animals in our factory farms (Gold).

Our topsoil and forests also pay the price. Between 1960 and 1985 40% of all Central American rainforests were destroyed to create pasture for beef cattle (Living). An article by Mark Gold in the New Internationalist informs us that each hamburger we eat costs us 55 square feet of rainforest to produce (9). Economists David Fields and Robin Hur estimate that for every person who switches to a pure vegetarian diet, an acre of trees is spared every year. Likewise, John Robbins estimates that 200 million acres of American land could be returned to forest if we were to stop raising food to feed livestock, and instead raise food directly for people (263).

Overgrazing and non-sustainable methods of growing feed also result in the ruination of the topsoil that is needed to grow all crops. The U.S. Soil Conservation Service reports that 85% of our annual topsoil loss is directly associated with livestock raising (Robbins). A total of 1/3 of the countries topsoil has already been lost, stresses Marcus Halevi in a Humane Society "Close-Up Report" (3).

Our water supply is also sacrificed. Halevi points to statistics that over half of our country's water use is directed to raising livestock. Another statistic states that to produce a single pound of meat takes an average of 2,500 gallons of water (Living). Or, as Newsweek magazine puts it, "The water that goes into a 1,000 pound steer would float a destroyer" (Robbins). Meanwhile, says Robbins, "The excrement from America's animals (250,000 pounds a second) often ends up back in our rivers streams and lakes. This amounts to twenty times as much organic waste water pollution as the human population of the U.S. and 3 times as much as the rest of the nation's industries combined (371) . Additionally, Marcus Helevi explains how the methane expelled by billions of farm animals and their excrement, along with the related de-forestation, greatly contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer which protects us from ultraviolet radiation (2).

[-V-]

Though it may seem on the surface, that modern farming methods save the consumer money at the grocery store, it has already been demonstrated to have many hidden costs. There are several more that should be identified. One, is that the exorbitant consumption of water by the agricultural industry is subsidized by state and federal government which, of course, is subsidized by the public (Robbins). To make matters worse, in relation to the energy crisis, agricultural engineers at Ohio State University found that even the least efficient plant production is nearly ten times as efficient as any animal breeding operation. A feature article in Scientific America proclaimed, "The trends in meat consumption and energy consumption are on a collision course" (368) . Robbins further observes that, "If we kicked the meat habit there would be no need for nuclear power plants, our electric bills would be far lower, and our dependence on foreign oil would be greatly reduced (376) . His message is reinforced by economists Fields and Hurr who predict increases in personal savings resulting from reduced spending on alternate foods, prescription drugs, medical care and insurance. They claim, "Savings on health care alone could be expected to reach 200 billion within 5 years" (Robbins).

On November 20, of this year more than 1,500 scientists issued a four page "Warning to Humanity" to control activities such as "deforestation and bad farming practices" that will within the next few decades lead to irreversible "social, economic, and environmental collapse." (Assoc. Press) As for the future of farming, there is really little room for compromise, even if the agricultural industry did clean up their act. With only one planet, and so many people, breeding animals is and always will be a painfully inefficient and potentially destructive method of food production. Even if only a fraction of the presented research and statistics are correct, our course would still be clear. The big question then, is why does the massive production and consumption of animal products continue? The answer lies in free enterprise and old habits.

While intensive factory farming does not contribute to a better economy, it does create a bigger profit for the powerful meat, dairy, and pharmaceutical corporations who would just as soon leave the consumer in the dark. It is estimated that 40 cents of every American food dollar is spent on beef and 435 million dollars a year is spent on antibiotics for livestock (Bender). These are not figures that are easily tampered with. If consumers did shift their diets, every food industry from the local grocery store to the widespread fast food restaurants would have to shift with them. Fortunately though, food workers would still work in food, just a different kind of food, and every consumer would be able to afford more food for their money. Ultimately the solution lies in our ability to modify what we like, or should I say, what we have grown partial to consuming.

We must remember that besides affecting our own health (which is of course, our right), our actions profoundly affect the lives of countless animals, every other human on earth, and the earth itself (which is, of course, a wrong). Though recreational drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes are desirable to many people, society either bans or limits the consumption of these items to protect its people as a whole. In our lifetime, our choice of diet will remain in each individuals hands. In the end it comes down to a choice between the preservation of life and our preference in meals.

[Wafflepudding]

I thought eating dairy like yoghurt, milk and cheese was good for you. Well except if you're lactose intolerant.

I've heard that most of the grain that is used as cattle feed is "unfit for human consumption". Is that a lie? furthermore, what does "unfit for human consumption" mean? it's spoiled? it's cracked (like cracked corn)? it doesn't meet US standards? is it really unusable for feeding people or not?

About the energy claims, I looked through the USDOE statistics and I couldn't find statistics about the agricultural sector specifically (there's a "food" industry category but it refers to food processing), but Robbins "no need for nuclear power plants, our electric bills would be far lower, and our dependence on foreign oil would be greatly reduced" claims sound suspiciously fishy to me. Mostly because even taking out the "food" category in the DOE statistics altogether, it doesn't make an impact strong enough to justify such bold assertions. I'd like to know where he's getting his info on energy usage and what factors is he taking into account.

I've heard about the methane issue, I've also heard about pilot programs to generate power from manure methane, just FYI.

[-V-]

I thought eating dairy like yoghurt, milk and cheese was good for you. Well except if you're lactose intolerant.

Milk is merely natures temporary solution for passing liquid nutrients to infants to get them started. Adults don't need it and it is no coincidence that many (if not most people to some degree) are intolerant of it. Though cat's love the taste, anyone who has ever had one knows what a mistake it would be to pour it in their bowl. We make the same mistake when we pour it in a bowl of cereal. Same goes for any product made from milk.

I use Rice Dream instead. It takes a few weeks to get used to before you can enjoy it as much as you did cow milk. It was no different than when I moved from whole milk to low fat milk. Try Toffuti Cuties ice cream sandwiches and you will quickly understand that all the things made from milk can easily be made from vegetable sources and taste good to.

(more excerpts)
==================
When the California Milk Producers advertised "Milk Has Something for Everybody," one medical researcher, Dr. Kevin McGrady replied, "Milk has something for everybody all right - higher blood cholesterol, and increased risk of heart disease and strokes." The groups previous slogan, "Everybody Needs Milk", was legally banned by the Federal Trade Commission on the grounds that the advertising was false, misleading and deceptive" (Robbins). And, within one week of this paper an association of 2,000 doctors, including leading pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock, made headlines by proclaiming that, "Cow's milk is often contaminated with antibiotics, can cause allergies and digestive problems, and has been linked to juvenile diabetes."

[-V-]

I've heard that most of the grain that is used as cattle feed is "unfit for human consumption". Is that a lie?

(more excerpts)
==================
Since livestock are sold by their weight, not their health, hormones and questionable feed products are utilized for low cost weight gain. For example, cow feed may include sawdust, shredded cardboard and newspapers (including the Sunday comics), processed sewage, cement dust, and other items treated with artificial flavors and aromas. Scientists at the University of Arizona are working on additional methods of getting the animals to eat the "feed bunk" (Robbins). Meanwhile, Shell Oil supplies breeders with something called XLP-30; a feed additive designed to "boost pigs per litter." A shell official acknowledged, "We don't know why it works" (88).
=============

A few days ago I heard a good example of what the food industry is all about. Apparently, the test for whether a shipment of figs is acceptable for market is to take a test tube sample, add water, and count how many roach parts float to the top. If it's not over the limit, you buy it and eat it. That's business.

I guess we could eat "the Sunday comics" too in moderation, and it wouldn't kill us... for a while.

[KRITER]

Thairs lots of animals that are true meat eaters.Humans are not and dont have to be one of them.We dont hav to make the hell we put animals thru.Thairs been arguments saying humans being herbitvores and omnivores,look at our teeth and intestents.Fact is humans dont need meat.We dont hav to hav factory farms,pet stores,fur stores or test on animals.We dont hav to hunt.We can still liv just find leeving animals alone.

[FDRfollower]

Animals put each other through hell, as is vividly shown. Nature is much more brutal than anything we humans can inflict.

How many years of medical school have you taken?

Do you live in another country? Is there a reason for your horrible English spelling and punctuation?

[KRITER]

[QUOTE=FDRfollower;17715]Animals put each other through hell, as is vividly shown. Nature is much more brutal than anything we humans can inflict.



Nature dont clamp rabbits hed to a wheel and spray perfume in its eyes till its ded.Nature dont trap fox,stik a electric rod up its ass,skin it and thro it away.Nature dont cut the beeks off chikens at the factory farms.Nature dont level habitats for subdivisions and shoping centers.When a wolf kills a rabbit its doing it for food cuz thats the way its made.Some animals eat other animals some animals dont.Natures not always prity.We dont hav to kill critters for food,skin them or test a mess of stupid producs on them to see wut it does.The hell we coz is not natural.Humans are worse then cancer to animals and nature.Nature is brutal,I dont hav to see videos to kno that.But humans are still alot worse,dont need videos to kno that either.Iv seen wut we do with our machines,xplosives,poisons,factory farms,slawter houses,pollution from the meat industry,animal population control and so called conservation programs.
Humans are the most hateful,distructive,overpopulating,overconsuming kind.Our brutality isnt natural or rite and it dont hav to happn. If we dont chang everything dies.

[FDRfollower]

Your spelling is terrible. Can you improve it please?

So, when are you going to start eradicating the human race off the planet?

[KRITER]

Didnt said nothing about eradicating anything.Just wish folks wood leev animals alone is all.We dont hav to be so distructive and hateful.