Animal Liberation Revisited

 “The question is not, Can they reason? Nor can they talk? But, can they suffer?”
 – Jeremy Bentham

All mammals have at least 92% of the same genes humans do. They share many of the same primary functions – they metabolize food, reproduce, bear young, feed and protect their young, sense danger, display the “fight or flight” response to fear, and feel pain the same way we do. They possess a central nervous system that senses pain stimuli and a brain that processes the pain. The neurons that travel in an animal to communicate to the brain that bodily harm is occurring are the same neurons that course through humans when we are injured.

Given that both animals and humans have the same basic physiology, neurologically speaking, it is safe to say that both species experience physical pain. Emotional pain is more difficult to quantitatively measure since this type of pain is measured through observation of behavior.

One such measurement was done by academics at the University of Bristol. They demonstrated that chickens possess one of the important attributes that underpins empathy toward other chickens. When chicks were exposed to sudden puffs of air, the hens became alert, discontinuing their natural habits, such as preening, and stood for long periods, their heart rate increased, the hens made more clucking noises toward the chicks, and they showed elevated signs of stress and fear. To read more go here.

Other animals currently used in husbandry practices also exhibit complex cognitive behavior, cows have exhibited joy and delight after solving a complex puzzle and sheep have been known to form deep friendship bonds with other sheep.

These observations do not scientifically “prove” the existence of abstract emotion in animals, but at the very least it throws into doubt the human conviction that animals do not have “feelings.” Given the scientific data and observations of animal behavior, humans should at least look at their current actions toward animals.

Each year, 100 million cows, pigs and sheep and 5 billion chickens are slaughtered in factory farms. If one really contemplates the juxtaposition of the words “factory” and “farm,” one may infer what these places are doing, they are “producing” meat on a massive scale for massive consumption. Just as factories produce consumer products for a profit, factory farms produce meat for a profit. Long gone is the family farm where cows are sent out to pasture and chickens scratch the dirt in the yard. Now, the capitalization of husbandry has reached the pinnacle of meat production.

Like industrial factories, these factory farms seek to have the highest return for their investment. To this end, they pack animals tightly together in large warehouse-like buildings in order to produce as much meat as possible in as little space as possible. This saves money on overhead and maximizes their profit. These animals are not only confined in tiny spaces but are routinely abused by their handlers – See cows in a factory farm. Factory farming is also harmful to human health. In 2008 the largest beef recall in U.S. history occurred because of contaminated meat entering the food supply by factory farms slaughtering and distributing meat from downed and severely sick cows. The meat from these cows was added to the supplies for school lunch programs, endangering the lives of children.

Our individual choices and actions make a difference. Nothing speaks louder than our wallets, and withholding our monetary support of these practices will improve our health and the well-being of our animal co-inhabitants.

What can you do? The best choice to alleviate suffering and protect yourself from contaminated food is to become a vegetarian or vegan. The next best thing is to buy free range eggs, meat and dairy. Ask your local restaurants to only serve free range, organic, and hormone free products. Educate yourself – see where your food comes from so you can make a good choice for yourself and your family.

I intend to discuss these topics in-depth in future posts.