An Argument Against Factory Farming Essay Research

An Argument Against Factory Farming Essay, Research Paper The world becomes a sad place when we allow animals to be factory-farmed, treating them inhumanely to be used for our pleasure. Yes, hogs are mentally inferior to humans but that gives us no right to force these horrible conditions on them. God made humans to have dominion over animals, with the proof in Genesis 1:26. Therefore, it is my opinion that we are supposed to protect animals in the same manner as we would protect a small child. Rush Limbaugh makes the argument that factory farming is acceptable because it is positive for economic growth. However, as in various cases greed is the source of many evils. The idea of ?bigger and better things? and the extra dollar ultimately molds society?s morals. People like

Limbaugh who advocate factory farming for economic growth and, at the same time, argue that cruelty to animals is wrong are showing inconsistencies in their reasoning. It is hard to be on both sides of the spectrum. One cannot be liberal and conservative or pro-choice and pro-life, so how is it possible that one can advocate the cruelty to animals while at the same time disapproving it? The value of a dollar is shown in the morals of these people — that it is justifiable to do wrong as long as it pays well. The priorities of such people are in the wrong order. Economic growth is not a reason for us to abuse these animals, we must respect them, just as we, ideally, must respect all of God?s creatures. Limbaugh also argues that animals have no language or intelligence. It is true

that we cannot communicate to hogs through the means by which we communicate to other humans however, they are able to relay certain messages to other hogs, which shows a type of language. Some animal rights activists believe that just because animals do not have the same language as people that they have none. It is apparent that many people believe that because animals cannot communicate with humans they have no language at all, perhaps it is that we do not and will not take the time to become aware of their languages. The same can be said about the hogs? intelligence. In the video, ?We are all Noah,? there are apparent behavioral differences between the hogs in a healthy environment and those which are held in the confines of factory farming. There is little room for physical

and mental growth. There is a type of arrogance and ignorance shown on our part. We are blind to the ingenuity of animals, labeling them, as does Limbaugh, as having no intelligence. It has become a cultural norm for us to be apathetic to factory farming. I am also guilty of being swayed by this norm — I like pork just as much as the next person. I actually was not aware of the conditions of factory farming until I did some research. And now I ask: why didn?t I know? I think it is because we have been conditioned to demean the worth of hogs so we can use them for our benefit. Society, as a whole, is not aware of much beyond what is on their plate. Factory farmers do not make their practices known. Instead it is animal rights activists who discover the conditions and expose them

to the public, allowing us to make our own decisions concerning the issue. In my opinion, factory farming is the result of a chain. Consumers obviously want low prices on the products that they buy; retailers must supply what the customer wants in order to stay in business therefore demanding more products; manufacturers and farmers must be able to produce more products to satisfy the retailers. Humane farming is too slow to meet the demands needed and thus, there is factory farming. However, this is expensive. Farmers, in order to keep their own costs down and their profits up, create the horrible conditions in which these hogs are kept. 2. Once again the lust for luxury drives society. The American Dream is now defined by what you have and its price. This recent, highly