Cut cruelty out of your diet
In response to Jordan Haeger’s Oct. 28 article, “Campaign mobilizes against animal abuse,” I would like to thank Haeger for reporting on the recent visit of peta2’s thought-provoking “Liberation” display to the UT campus. The exhibit aims to draw parallels between the abuses humans have inflicted on each other throughout history and the abuses we are currently inflicting on animals — some of which are taking place right here on campus.
Contrary to what one UT faculty member suggested in the article, the pain and suffering endured by the sensitive, intelligent animals who are tormented in UT’s laboratories is not alleviated by some paperwork being filled out by experimenters or the paltry regulations that exist. For example, in the laboratory of UT’s Eyal Seidemann, monkeys have had holes drilled into their skulls and portions of their craniums removed so that experimenters can monitor the monkeys’ brain activity when they perform different tasks while immobilized in a restraint device — all entirely permissible by law.
Thankfully, there are simple steps each of us can take to reduce the suffering of animals. For instance, every time we choose to buy products not tested on animals, we are taking a stand against animal abuse. Similarly, by picking a veggie burger over a hamburger, we are sending the message that violence toward animals will not be tolerated. With so many delicious meatless options available today, including vegetarian barbecue riblets and vegan pizza, it’s never been easier to cut cruelty out of your diet for good.
For more information about animal rights and to view peta2’s “Liberation” display online, visit peta2.com.
— Ryan Huling, Senior College Campaign Coordinator, peta2.com
Bacteria and viruses are living things too. Does that mean we shouldn't wash our hands or take antibiotics? Plants are living creatures too, does that mean we shouldn't eat them? Have you ever been to a farm or produce packaging plant with all the grinders and shredders? Have you ever seen what happens to brocolli? What are you a breathairian?
So you're not a moral vegetarian then. But do you believe in using humans in place of other animals as product tester for biomedical research? Or do you trust a medications that have only been tested in a computer simulations? Just trying to pin down exactly what cause you're trying to help here.
If you want to eat parts of pretend animals and believe that that is okay, it's fine by me. The question is, are you a moral vegetarian or just someone who doesn't like meat. If you're a moral vegetarian, then isn't eating pretend animals the moral equivalent of eating real animals. Sounds like hypocrisy to me. Why do you want the look and texture of meat in your food, but not the meat itself? I'm not interested in helping the cause of dietary self-deception -- eating disorders are at the end of that road.