More on Meat Eating

There is an interesting editorial in the New York Times that was coincidentally published with perfect timing for our recent posts on eating meat, eating the meat we know and animal welfare. A Farm Boy Reflects, by Nicholas D. Kristof is a personal and moving reflection that is well worth the read. His follow-up blog continues the discussion with commentary.

As Mr. Kristof recognizes, Americans are becoming increasingly sensitive to the welfare of animals, whether they are pets, zoo animals, endangered species, or farm animals. Yet, the industrialization of animal agriculture relies on a system in which animals are treated with less individual sensitivity, and in some instances, cruelty. Indeed, the industrialization model is dependent upon the kind of mass production of uniform products that likens farm animals to the "widgets" produced in other manufacturing processes.

These trends are on a crash course.

A game of chicken? Or a step back to consider what we are doing and how we are doing it. Consider Matthew Scully's comments from his book Dominion.

The care of animals brings with it often complicated problems of economics, ecology, and science. . . . Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship. We are called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or some claim to equality, but in a sense because they don't; because they all stand unequal and powerless before us. . . . Whenever we humans enter their world, from our farms to the local animal shelter to the African savanna, we enter as lords of the earth bearing strange powers of terror and mercy alike.