So, I just found out today at morning meeting that my original argument is actually already being done. Instead, I've decided to discuss factory farming.
The goal of the meat industry is to cheaply produce meat, obviously. However, to obtain this goal, many sacrifices are made, including the welfare of the animals. Poultry are confined in areas so small they cannot walk, crammed in with other birds. Chickens, injected and fed growth hormones and never having room to exercise their legs, become so weak that they are unable to lift themselves on their own legs. They are kept in such tight quarters that occasionally, factory farmers cut off the ends of their beaks to prevent them from pecking each other to death. They, as well as pigs and cows, often spend their entire lives with no sunlight. They are also typically kept in such unclean areas that huge amounts of waste pile up, and the animals are given extensive exposure to harmful things like ammonia.
This is not only inhumane, but also unhealthy for the humans who eat these animals. Growth hormones injected into cows, whose milk later goes on sale, are believed to be the reason for developmental problems in small children. All development happens too rapidly: getting teeth at younger ages, growing too fast for bones to become strong enough, and young girls starting their periods as young as 8 or 9.
There are also harmful environmental effects associated with the factory farming. The meat industry is the source of 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. Fertilizers and pesticides used in crops to feed the animals contaminate the water supply through the soil and animal waste. The meat industry uses far too much water, and between that and the land degradation, biodiversity is at risk.
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Good topic! When writing your paper, you should discuss some food labels that are now seen everywhere. My mom buys "free-range" eggs and "grass-fed" beef. My mom and I don't really know what these labels mean. Maybe you should discuss these alternative food options and what they mean. Are they better for the animals? Are they more healthy for humans? Also, you should research into the KFC chicken scandal that happened a few years ago. Tapes were leaked from a chicken factory that showed workers stomping on live chickens and other such deplorable things. This particular chicken factory supplied meat to vendors like KFC and other such companies. My mom still refuses to buy food from KFC. Good luck!
I agree with Maddie, that's a good topic. I'm curious to see what your proposed solution is. I believe that the answer doesn't just lie in a reform of farming and livestock practices, but it also lies in people consuming less commercialized food, and more local food. Trader's Point Creamery is a great example of that. Because they produce their food on a much smaller scale, more resources can go toward quality, instead of quantity.
I'm also interested to see what sources you find. I suggest stuff like Fast Food Nation and Kentucky Fried Cruelty. Can't wait to see what you do!
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