“Down on the factory farm” by Peter Singer discloses the problem of the mass production of animals for the purpose of food supply which leads to serious consequences. The author argues that present society perceives animals only as a kind of food at mealtime. The number of animals raised for meat products is constantly increasing with every passing year. The author states that people became ignorant of other creatures and a bit selfish. The article under analysis provides readers with some statistical figures proving the development of the meat industry.
Modern farms work out their own methods of animal raising directed to the increase and improvement of the production volume of meat. It was stated in the article that modern corporations changed the meaning of agriculture and turned it into agribusiness. Our attitude to animals is not humane, it is cruel. One can note that modern society thinks only about their hunger rather than nature harmony with other creatures.
It is important to stress that at the same time we never consider the methods and conditions in which those animals have been raised. Farmers strive to develop their own ideas of animal raising in order to get more profit from their business. There exist special techniques used in modern farms where the mass production of animals is practiced. Living creatures are not perceived like friends but like machines of the meat industry. According to some sources, the slaughter level is uncontrolled and can reach its peak very quickly.
Peter Singer described our cruelty towards the animals in the example of chickens being slaughtered every day for our private needs. Besides chickens are not fed by natural products but their food should compulsorily be mixed with different chemicals in order to gain prosperity at the farms and development of the business. People never consider animals’ sufferings and fail to think about their slaughter. The material researched proved that economic needs are the most important reasons for the rapid development of animals’ raising and slaughter. Mass consumerism and gluttony are the consequences of the mass slaughter of living creatures.
The problem of mass raising and slaughter of animals closely interacts with the problem of animal rights protection. It causes great conflicts and even debates among those who are fond of meat and vegans. The exploitation of animals at the majority of farms can lead to contradictions among the society, though it is important to note that there are people who still strive to protect other living creatures. To support the idea of Peter Singer wrote in his work “Down on the factory farm” the following grounds can be presented:
- The quality of meat depends on the animals’ welfare;
- Mass animals’ raising can lead to improper treatment at the farms;
- Rapid production of meat products can result in gluttony;
- The exploitation of animals can ruin the state of harmony between nature and living beings;
Human-animal relationships were discovered by many researchers and a close interconnection between them has been recognized, though in modern society animal welfare is not centered by human beings and people are not concerned about searching the methods of animals’ protection. But at the same time nowadays a lot of organizations are opened in order to protect animals from slaughter. Such as, for example, vegan organizations present the idea that meat food is not so useful for our health and can lead to some serious diseases. Some methods aimed at help for farm animals were worked out:
- Every person should develop his inner world and read more information concerning animal’ protection and modern farming;
- People should try to avoid the usage of too many meat products or even go vegetarian;
- Farmers are to provide only natural and healthy food for their animals in order to get vitaminized products;
General research reports provide facts proving the dangerous character of mass raising and slaughter of animals. They state that even Health Care Organization faces the problem mentioned above, proving that our physical condition depends on the meat quality we eat every day.
Thus, the analysis carried out proved that animals’ exploitation can lead to serious consequences, both to health and social interaction. The problem of gluttony can be seriously faced by those who never control the amount of food they eat. We managed to find out that the quality of meat products of the farms are not so good as they are fed with chemicals and hazardous things in order to increase their weight and get much profit from the business. To my way of thinking agriculture should not be treated as a part of business as it can bring too much harm to our health and animals’ welfare. The exploitation of the animals ruins the harmony between nature and living beings. Only people are responsible for it!
References
Harold D. Guither. Animal Rights: History and Scope of a Radical Social Movement; Southern Illinois University Press, 1998. 274 pgs.
Jyotsna, Pattnaik. On Behalf of Their Animal Friends: Involving Children in Animal Advocacy Since Time Immemorial, Animals Have Been Serving Human Society in at Least Three Broad Roles: As Teachers, as Healers, and as Companions and Friends. University Education, Vol. 81, 2004.
Robert R. Burke. The Roar over Animal. Security Management, Vol. 34. 1990.
Singer, Peter. Animal liberation and animal rights: Down on the Factory Farm. 1995, p. 19-28.