1. I believe it is not ethically acceptable to raise and shear sheep for wool. Today common
practices include tails being chopped off and male castration without any anesthetics.
Although there may be farms that exist somewhere with humane treatment of sheep, the
majority of wool that humans purchase do not come from there. Shearers don’t get paid by
the hour, but by the volume of sheep they are able to shear. Because of this workers are
encouraged to work as quick as they can without any regard for the welfare of the sheep.
This leads to violent work and sheep are often cut and injured. Without human interference
sheep are able to grow enough wool to protect themselves and do not need to be sheared.
Although synthetic fibers have their own environmental consequences, I don’t believe that
gentle beings should be mutilated for unnecessary fabrics. There are a lot of different
alternatives to wool that are also eco-friendly and biodegradable. Sheep being bred in
masses for human use leads to land degradation and waterway contamination. Given that
there are less harmful alternatives, in this situation, human benefits do not outweigh animal
harm. Sheep have value in their own right, and shouldn’t be seen as nothing more than a
commodity. I believe that all animals deserve the respect to not only be used as products,
but to be treated humanely and just. "
2. I do not believe that it is ethically acceptable to continue to raise calves for veal. Male
calves shouldn’t have to go through extreme confinement and mistreatment just for human
consumption. Their diets are specifically formulated with the intention of keeping the animal
anemic. With the continuous rise of alternative meat products, no animal should have to
suffer to appease someone’s tastebuds. Humans are capable of making choices based on
ethics, and there is no real humane reasoning as to why veal should continue to be
produced given how barbaric the industry is. The suffering begins with female cows being
artificially inseminated each year to keep dairy production flowing. Although cows have a
natural lifespan of about 20 years, after four years dairy cows are sent to slaughter. Cows
instantly form strong bonds with their calves and are known for making unique sounds
which encourage the calf to nurse. Typically after a day or two the calves are then ripped
away from their mothers causing extreme distress. After a few short months of living in
miserable conditions the male calves are then slaughtered. As human beings our
responsibility to animals should be to consider all aspects of an animals well-being,
physical and psychological, and ensuring animal welfare. Humane handling should always
be done. Producing veal in no way contributes to human advancement, therefore the
preference of someone’s taste pallet should not outweigh the harm that a male calf has to
endure. Animals are not simply food products, but thinking, feeling individuals who want to
enjoy their lives.
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