Animals as Clothing.

Every year, millions of animals are killed for the clothing for their fur, wool, silk, and leather. "Whether they come from Chinese fur farms, Indian slaughterhouses, or the Australian outback, an immeasurable amount of suffering goes into every fur-trimmed jacket, leather belt, and wool sweater," according to PETA. Animals, like in slaughterhouses, are confined for their whole lives in small, dirty cages and the industry uses the cheapest method of killing these animals possible. More than half of the fur in the U.S. comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are even killed for their fur and often the fur is mislabeled so people don't know what species of animal they are wearing. Leather is not just a byproduct of slaughterhouses but it is a growing industry. The meat industry relies on skin sales to keep business on the rise. It even accounts for 50% of the total byproduct of cattle. All animals who end up as belts or shoes suffer confinement, branding, unanesthetized castration, tail-docking, dehorning, and cruel treatment during transportation and slaughter.

People, and the fur industry, would like to see fur as just another fabric but it's actually the skin ripped and peeled off the backs of animals. In our culture and society, there is no reason to use animals for clothing. In other cultures where animals are hunted for food and used as clothing for survival is justifiable since they do not have alternatives. However, in industrialized countries, there is no reason for it. More often than not, people don't even realize they are wearing animal products; I know I have shoes with leather in them. I think it is important for everyone to be more aware of their purchases and how what they buy affects animals. If we choose to buy products that were made without harming animals, then companies would find alternatives. The first step is being aware of what we wear. Then follows change.

My question to you is: There are many alternatives (like synthetic materials) to using animals for leather, wool, fur, silk, etc. So, why does our culture still exploit animals for clothing aside from it being a lucrative business?

A leather jacket and a wool sweater? Really?

Humane Meat: An Oxymoron?

Sometimes, when I tell people I am opposed to the way the meat industry slaughters animals for food, they reply with the idea of choosing free range animals for consumption since they get to experience life and the outdoors. As the truth of how factory farms treat their animals surfaces to the public, more people are choosing organic foods and free range meat. Slaughterhouses kill animals while they are still conscious with the production line moving so fast no one knows what is actually being put in with the animal meat. Animals are confined to dark, small spaces and live their lives eating antibiotics and hormones so they grow twice as fast. Disease is not uncommon in such small spaces. A solution has been raised to stop supporting these big corporations and start buying free range meat which means the animals are free to graze the outdoors instead of being stuck in dark confinement. However, no matter how these animals are raised, they are still killed for our consumption so is one way really more humane than the other?

Another solution is to promote veganism all around which would mean no animal has to die for the needs of humans. Experts have found this choice more drastic since many people would refuse to give up their ways so free range animals it is. There is no true definition of "humane meat" and many people see this as an oxymoron. Different producers have their own humane standards to follow like labeling the meat "Certified Humane Raised and Handled." Some standards are larger cages or no cages, natural feed, less painful ways of slaughtering, and the end to practices like tail docking and debeaking. A recent study performed by the United Egg Producers found that three out of four American consumers would choose food products certified as humane and protecting animal's interests over those that do not. Also, humane regulations provided on a state level provides relief to millions of animals. Humane standards are a step towards more animal rights... and maybe eventually equality...

My question to you is: So, is humane meat an oxymoron? Do you think people are on the right track of setting more humane standards for the raising and killing of animals for food or do you think there is no difference how an animal is raised because it is killed in the end anyways?

Response to "Human and Animal Interests."

Response #14

In Nick's blog, he talks about how any problem can be solved with a future goal and strategic planning, even animal testing. Some people believe we have no other choice but to put our interests over those of the animals in order to advance as a society. The fact that animals need shelter and food, can reproduce, and try to avoid pain and suffering are parallel to our needs as human beings. Human beings do have interests animals do not share but they can be accomplished without volunteering the usage of animals (whether it be for food, testing, entertainment). Nick says that if we are using animals in a way which does not benefit but actually harms them, then what is the point? It is unfair to exploit animals just for humans 'needs' or desires. He goes on to say testing on animals even for extreme reasons which could save thousands of human lives, like finding a cure for AIDS, is also unacceptable because it does harm and kill animals unnecessarily. In the end, he says animals should not be used just to fix the mistakes of the human race. He asks, "Can human and animal interests be aligned?"

I should hope so. Even though human beings see themselves, more often than not, as the superior species, there is no justification for this. Sure, we are more advanced in some ways, are larger than others, are capable of creating societies and cultures, are conscious, and are (usually) intelligent beings, and have our own language. This does not mean we have the right to belittle other species and deem them as lesser. I think the human race lacks major respect even for other people and especially for animals. Because of stem cells and the advances in the medical field, I see no plausible reason for animal testing. Because there are so many organic and vegetarian food options, I see no reason for hunting and slaughterhouses. Since animals are originally from the wild, I see no reason why they should be taken out of their natural habitats and put on display in zoos. I also see no reason for leather jackets and fur coats. Humans need to rethink why exactly we exploit animals the way we do and ask how this benefits the animals we are harming. Then we will be able to see there are so many alternative ways of doing everything which does not include using animals.

Right now, human interests are always almost placed above animals but I do not understand why this couldn't change. Coexistence is really a beautiful thing.

My question to you is: What needs to be done in order for human beings to start seeing their interests as equal to those of all other species?