Not surprised this discussion is full of high emotion- when the rights of people are questioned, we bristle- this is the nature of those of us lucky enough to live in the free world.
I am a vegetarian- no beef, no fish, no chicken, no flesh. I do eat dairy, and eggs when unavoidable (such as those cooked in breads or other baked goods) I don’t defend my right to refuse a steak, nor do I feel the need to defend my right to have a glass of milk. To each his own.
Why do I eat fake chicken nuggets and fake hamburger patties? Because I need the protein (usually soy or another bean product), and because I like mustard, hot sauce, bbq sauce, sweet and sour sauce and many other spicy condiments that quite frankly would taste like shi* on a raw carrot.
No, I do not always get enough protein. Though my hair is shiny and appears healthy, it breaks off just below shoulder length and will not grow longer in spite of the supplements I take. My nails also grow quickly and long, but are very thin and flexible instead of rigid. Because the food I eat is not very calorie rich, I am hungry most of the time, and can out eat any carnivore if bulk instead of calories were measured. On the other hand… I can eat a colossal serving of ice cream anytime I want, without gaining a pound. I will gladly trade a double cheeseburger for a carton of Moose Tracks.
My hemotacrit is between 45-49 each time I donate blood- unusually high for a woman and I have never been anemic. My cheeks are pink, my muscles are toned and well-defined, and I have tons of energy. For me, the vegetarian lifestyle is healthy. But if I were pregnant, if I were told that my growing fetus was not getting enough protein, then I would buy a calf from the nearest farm and force it down. Most of us who choose an alternate diet are reasonable enough to have considered our (and our familys’) nutritional requirements and make informed choices about our meals.
I feel that animals raised for consumption can be killed humanely. I feel that the packing industry is regulated (much like the oil industry) by some dirty politics and controlled by lobbyists who serve those who reap considerable financial gain by cutting corners and loosening regulations. The general public is not always privy to the workings of major industry. Many scams have been exposed by whistleblowers. PETA definitely has some very aggressive tactics to draw attention to their cause. I don’t agree with all of their methods, but I have to admire their tenacity in trying to expose some tragically inhumane practices.
Luckily there are also insiders who agree that the packing industry needs improvement- here is another
link link to Temple Grandin’s website- If you don’t have time to read her bio, please scan this page of Best Practices- and to abbreviate for those who aren’t interested in the cite- both McDonald’s and Wendy’s have been converting their beef packing plants to the more humane and sanitary models recommended by Grandin.
There are more choices than just Meat or No Meat- it is possible to patronize grocery stores and restaurants based on humane practices. If you wouldn’t spend your money on clothing sewn by six year olds in third world countries, then do the same research on your favorite restaurants and grocery stores. You don’t have to personally kill your own cow, but you can certainly purchase beef from a source that reliably provides the most sanitary and humane conditions for the livestock.