A living creature shouldn’t be turned in a commercial product for multiple reasons.
In theory, I disagree with this. Meat and other products made from animals such as leather and the trading of such products has been a big part of human culture and lifestyle since long before recorded history. There is some evidence that energy dense meat is at least party responsible for our evolution into what we are today. Leather and wool are amazing materials with properties that it’s still very difficult and expensive to replicate if its possible at all. Done humanely, it not only benefits humans but he animals in question themselves- as we are actively invested in their survival and well being. If and when we can make synthetic meat, leather, and wool, or alternatives with all the same properties and benefits as the ‘real’ thing, then I could be persuaded that is better.
In practice it becomes a big problem when we add Capitalism into the mix. Capitalism is exploitative by nature, and if it exploits human beings of course it’s going to do the same for animals. Ethics and morality are given the backseat to greed and profit. The most exploited workers can often not afford ethical alternatives when those options do exist.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t still strive to reduce meat consumption and improve conditions for livestock, but we should also recognize that capitalism is a huge part of the problem and always will be. If we want to improve the lives of humans and animals, we need to do away with it.
In theory, I disagree with this. Meat and other products made from animals such as leather and the trading of such products has been a big part of human culture and lifestyle since long before recorded history. There is some evidence that energy dense meat is at least party responsible for our evolution into what we are today. Leather and wool are amazing materials with properties that it’s still very difficult and expensive to replicate if its possible at all. Done humanely, it not only benefits humans but he animals in question themselves- as we are actively invested in their survival and well being. If and when we can make synthetic meat, leather, and wool, or alternatives with all the same properties and benefits as the ‘real’ thing, then I could be persuaded that is better.
In practice it becomes a big problem when we add Capitalism into the mix. Capitalism is exploitative by nature, and if it exploits human beings of course it’s going to do the same for animals. Ethics and morality are given the backseat to greed and profit. The most exploited workers can often not afford ethical alternatives when those options do exist.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t still strive to reduce meat consumption and improve conditions for livestock, but we should also recognize that capitalism is a huge part of the problem and always will be. If we want to improve the lives of humans and animals, we need to do away with it.