Problems with Vegetarianism
In Paul Schwennesen’s essay titled “The Ethics of Eating Meat,” he states, “Asking whether eating meat is ‘ethical’ is like asking whether having sex is ethical” (178). In other words, consuming animals is a natural part of human existence. Schwennesen, a ranch owner, continues by arguing that eating meat is ethical but is wrongly questioned in America today (178-79). Schwennesen’s argument, in his essay, is well-founded. The act of ingesting meat is instinctive but has often been challenged in recent years. Those who challenge and oppose the consumption of animals are known as vegetarians. Vegetarians claim that a diet consisting of meat is inferior to one that lacks meat. Vegetarianism appears to be healthful, ethical, and eco-friendly. This is untrue, but vegetarians believe the opposite. They claim that consuming animal products is detrimental to animals, people, and the Earth. However, this argument is hypocritical. Being a vegetarian involves consuming products that are acquired unethically and that do not provide enough nutrition to sustain a human being. These products are also grown using methods that impact the environment in a negative way. A vegetarian diet is an ethical oxymoron, a damaging regimen, and a worldly detriment.
Despite claims by vegetarians to the contrary, vegetarianism is just as unethical as omnivorism. Both diets cause the death of sentient organisms. Melanie Joy, a professor and vegetarian, states, “[Vegetarians] say yes to health and no to harm” (par. 6). Schwennesen points out that the ethics of consuming meat are often questioned by vegetarians (179). However, the ethics of vegetarianism should be questioned since the process in which vegetarian food is produced causes a substantial amount of damage to organisms. For example, studies show that the population of animals whose habitats are in grain fields can be cut in half by machinery operated by farmers (Cerulli par. 15). Mike Archer, an Australian professor at the University of New South Wales, states, “Producing wheat and other grains results in at least 25 times more sentient animals being killed per kilogram of usable protein…than does farming red meat” (par. 7-10). Not only does vegetarianism lead to the deaths of many organisms, omnivorism caused deaths are more efficient at producing food. According to Archer, in the death of 2.2 heads of cattle, 100 kilograms of protein can be made for human consumption (par. 21). Despite claims by vegetarians, both vegetarianism and omnivorism result in the deaths of animals. Since deaths caused by omnivorism are more obvious than those caused by vegetarianism, those who partake in eating meat are unfairly ridiculed. This should not be the case. Vegetarians should be held accountable for the animal deaths caused by their diets as well. When vegetarians claim that they do not cause harm to animals, they are greatly mistaken. Another way vegetarians are misguided is through the claim that their diet is healthier than that of an omnivore.
Vegetarians are lacking key nutrients that are necessary in a healthy diet. Despite this fact, vegetarians continue to claim that their diet is healthier than that of an omnivore. This is due to studies conducted showing lower risks of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes in vegetarians (Palmer par. 3, 21). However, these studies show correlation without causation and are due to vegetarians being more health conscience than omnivores overall. For example, vegetarians are less likely to smoke (Gunnars 43-44). By focusing on inaccurate studies and by not consuming meat, vegetarians are prone to a number of health issues. One of these issues is a lack of Vitamin B12 in the diet of vegans, the most extreme vegetarians. According to Kris Gunnars, a medical student and personal trainer, B12 is crucial in forming blood and helping the brain function (par. 15). Since B12 cannot be consumed through plants, it is not surprising that vegans lack the vitamin. In one study, 92 percent of the vegans tested were deficient of B12 (Gunnars par. 17). Another piece of nutrition that vegetarians often lack is amino acids. Victoria Anisman-Reiner, a teacher in holistic health, states, “Without adequate amounts of each of the 9 essential amino acids, some vegetarians experience ‘brain fog,’ memory loss, tiredness, moodiness due to blood sugar highs and lows, lack of motivation, and poor performance at work or during exercise” (qtd. in Anisman-Reiner par. 3). In short, vegetarians use inconclusive studies to decide to partake in a diet that is unhealthy. The diet creates deficiencies in a number of key nutrients including Vitamin B12 and amino acids. In spite of these facts, vegetarianism remains popular around the world, but there is another issue with the diet that needs to be examined. Despite claims that vegetarianism is better for the environment than other diets, the regimen can be quite damaging to Earth.
Vegetarianism impacts the environment in negative ways. However, proponents of a plant-based diet claim that refraining from eating meat will reduce a person’s carbon footprint and that cattle can cause the destruction of soil on farmland (Palmer par. 3; Archer par. 17). While cattle can be detrimental to topsoil on certain farms, the destruction caused by the cows is nowhere near the amount of damage caused by food crops. Archer argues that as more of his country’s population switches to a plant-based diet, the more plants will need to be farmed (par. 13). Archer states, “This will require a net increase in the use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other threats to biodiversity and environmental health” (par. 13). As more pesticides are used throughout the world, more environmental damage is done. Several species are affected by pesticides used on agricultural vegetation. In a study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an estimated 672 million birds come into direct contact with pesticides on American farms every year (Cerulli par. 9). Pesticides are not the only issue with cultivating plants. In addition, farmers are forced to meet the demands of society and produce food that will be profitable for them. One of the foods currently in high demand is quinoa. This is due to the healthy benefits associated with the plant. Unfortunately, there has been such a demand for quinoa in recent years that farmland in South America is being destroyed. Since quinoa is in such high demand, farmers are forced to produce the plant year round. This is leading to the destruction of valuable topsoil (Hawthorne par. 2). Vegetarians are demanding so much quinoa that it has negatively impacted the environment. As the number of vegetarians rise, so will the production of vegetation for them to consume. A diet that claims to be environmentally friendly has many environmental issues.
Of the many diets that exist throughout the world, vegetarianism is one of the worst: the diet calls for ethics but lacks them intrinsically; the diet claims to be healthy but is not; and the diet claims to positively impact the environment but does the opposite. Vegetarians refuse to consume meat. This act occurs behind the conviction that they will feel better and improve the world around them. However, vegetarians choose to ignore data and expert opinions that prove their diet is more damaging than helpful. Furthermore, eating meat is a natural part of human existence. Consuming meat should be done in conjunction with a balanced diet, for the positives vastly outweigh the negatives of a strictly vegetarian diet. If a person is looking to improve their lifestyle by eating healthier, the last diet he or she should turn to is vegetarianism.
Works Cited
Anisman-Reiner, Victoria. “A Vegetarian Diet Can Be Hazardous If It's Not Nutritionally Balanced.” Suite 101: Holistic Nutrition, edited by Debra A. Miller, 12 Feb. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705208/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=38dc8c33. Accessed December 2017.
Archer, Mike. “Vegetarian Diets Cause More Animal Cruelty than Eating Meat.” Newsroom.unsw.edu.au, edited by Amy Francis, 16 Dec. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705252/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=afaa6d50. Accessed December 2017.
Cerulli, Tovar. “Even Small-Scale Vegetable Farming Requires Hunting Animals.” The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian's Hunt for Sustenance, edited by Amy Francis, vol. 49, New York, Pegasus Books, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705253/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=aae315ad. Accessed December 2017.
Gunnars, Kris. “Vegetarian Diets Are Not Healthy.” Authoritynutrition.com, edited by Amy Francis, 26 Aug. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705258/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=463acdb1. Accessed December 2017.
Hawthorne, Mark. “Increasing Quinoa Production Has Harmful Environmental Impacts.” VegNews.com, edited by Roman Espejo, 22 Nov. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010965209/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=73d0ab98. Accessed December 2017.
Joy, Melanie. “Vegetarianism Is a Moral Decision with Many Benefits.” Forksoverknives.com, edited by Amy Francis, 25 Feb. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705243/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=74b9fe52. Accessed December 2017.
Palmer, Sharon. “A Plant-Based Diet Has Impressive Benefits.” Environmental Nutrition Newsletter, edited by Amy Francis, Jan. 2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705254/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=9fe7357f. Accessed December 2017.
Schwennesen, Paul. “The Ethics of Eating Meat.” Acting Out Culture, 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015, pp. 178–179.
Despite claims by vegetarians to the contrary, vegetarianism is just as unethical as omnivorism. Both diets cause the death of sentient organisms. Melanie Joy, a professor and vegetarian, states, “[Vegetarians] say yes to health and no to harm” (par. 6). Schwennesen points out that the ethics of consuming meat are often questioned by vegetarians (179). However, the ethics of vegetarianism should be questioned since the process in which vegetarian food is produced causes a substantial amount of damage to organisms. For example, studies show that the population of animals whose habitats are in grain fields can be cut in half by machinery operated by farmers (Cerulli par. 15). Mike Archer, an Australian professor at the University of New South Wales, states, “Producing wheat and other grains results in at least 25 times more sentient animals being killed per kilogram of usable protein…than does farming red meat” (par. 7-10). Not only does vegetarianism lead to the deaths of many organisms, omnivorism caused deaths are more efficient at producing food. According to Archer, in the death of 2.2 heads of cattle, 100 kilograms of protein can be made for human consumption (par. 21). Despite claims by vegetarians, both vegetarianism and omnivorism result in the deaths of animals. Since deaths caused by omnivorism are more obvious than those caused by vegetarianism, those who partake in eating meat are unfairly ridiculed. This should not be the case. Vegetarians should be held accountable for the animal deaths caused by their diets as well. When vegetarians claim that they do not cause harm to animals, they are greatly mistaken. Another way vegetarians are misguided is through the claim that their diet is healthier than that of an omnivore.
Vegetarians are lacking key nutrients that are necessary in a healthy diet. Despite this fact, vegetarians continue to claim that their diet is healthier than that of an omnivore. This is due to studies conducted showing lower risks of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes in vegetarians (Palmer par. 3, 21). However, these studies show correlation without causation and are due to vegetarians being more health conscience than omnivores overall. For example, vegetarians are less likely to smoke (Gunnars 43-44). By focusing on inaccurate studies and by not consuming meat, vegetarians are prone to a number of health issues. One of these issues is a lack of Vitamin B12 in the diet of vegans, the most extreme vegetarians. According to Kris Gunnars, a medical student and personal trainer, B12 is crucial in forming blood and helping the brain function (par. 15). Since B12 cannot be consumed through plants, it is not surprising that vegans lack the vitamin. In one study, 92 percent of the vegans tested were deficient of B12 (Gunnars par. 17). Another piece of nutrition that vegetarians often lack is amino acids. Victoria Anisman-Reiner, a teacher in holistic health, states, “Without adequate amounts of each of the 9 essential amino acids, some vegetarians experience ‘brain fog,’ memory loss, tiredness, moodiness due to blood sugar highs and lows, lack of motivation, and poor performance at work or during exercise” (qtd. in Anisman-Reiner par. 3). In short, vegetarians use inconclusive studies to decide to partake in a diet that is unhealthy. The diet creates deficiencies in a number of key nutrients including Vitamin B12 and amino acids. In spite of these facts, vegetarianism remains popular around the world, but there is another issue with the diet that needs to be examined. Despite claims that vegetarianism is better for the environment than other diets, the regimen can be quite damaging to Earth.
Vegetarianism impacts the environment in negative ways. However, proponents of a plant-based diet claim that refraining from eating meat will reduce a person’s carbon footprint and that cattle can cause the destruction of soil on farmland (Palmer par. 3; Archer par. 17). While cattle can be detrimental to topsoil on certain farms, the destruction caused by the cows is nowhere near the amount of damage caused by food crops. Archer argues that as more of his country’s population switches to a plant-based diet, the more plants will need to be farmed (par. 13). Archer states, “This will require a net increase in the use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other threats to biodiversity and environmental health” (par. 13). As more pesticides are used throughout the world, more environmental damage is done. Several species are affected by pesticides used on agricultural vegetation. In a study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an estimated 672 million birds come into direct contact with pesticides on American farms every year (Cerulli par. 9). Pesticides are not the only issue with cultivating plants. In addition, farmers are forced to meet the demands of society and produce food that will be profitable for them. One of the foods currently in high demand is quinoa. This is due to the healthy benefits associated with the plant. Unfortunately, there has been such a demand for quinoa in recent years that farmland in South America is being destroyed. Since quinoa is in such high demand, farmers are forced to produce the plant year round. This is leading to the destruction of valuable topsoil (Hawthorne par. 2). Vegetarians are demanding so much quinoa that it has negatively impacted the environment. As the number of vegetarians rise, so will the production of vegetation for them to consume. A diet that claims to be environmentally friendly has many environmental issues.
Of the many diets that exist throughout the world, vegetarianism is one of the worst: the diet calls for ethics but lacks them intrinsically; the diet claims to be healthy but is not; and the diet claims to positively impact the environment but does the opposite. Vegetarians refuse to consume meat. This act occurs behind the conviction that they will feel better and improve the world around them. However, vegetarians choose to ignore data and expert opinions that prove their diet is more damaging than helpful. Furthermore, eating meat is a natural part of human existence. Consuming meat should be done in conjunction with a balanced diet, for the positives vastly outweigh the negatives of a strictly vegetarian diet. If a person is looking to improve their lifestyle by eating healthier, the last diet he or she should turn to is vegetarianism.
Works Cited
Anisman-Reiner, Victoria. “A Vegetarian Diet Can Be Hazardous If It's Not Nutritionally Balanced.” Suite 101: Holistic Nutrition, edited by Debra A. Miller, 12 Feb. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705208/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=38dc8c33. Accessed December 2017.
Archer, Mike. “Vegetarian Diets Cause More Animal Cruelty than Eating Meat.” Newsroom.unsw.edu.au, edited by Amy Francis, 16 Dec. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705252/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=afaa6d50. Accessed December 2017.
Cerulli, Tovar. “Even Small-Scale Vegetable Farming Requires Hunting Animals.” The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian's Hunt for Sustenance, edited by Amy Francis, vol. 49, New York, Pegasus Books, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705253/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=aae315ad. Accessed December 2017.
Gunnars, Kris. “Vegetarian Diets Are Not Healthy.” Authoritynutrition.com, edited by Amy Francis, 26 Aug. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705258/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=463acdb1. Accessed December 2017.
Hawthorne, Mark. “Increasing Quinoa Production Has Harmful Environmental Impacts.” VegNews.com, edited by Roman Espejo, 22 Nov. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010965209/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=73d0ab98. Accessed December 2017.
Joy, Melanie. “Vegetarianism Is a Moral Decision with Many Benefits.” Forksoverknives.com, edited by Amy Francis, 25 Feb. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705243/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=74b9fe52. Accessed December 2017.
Palmer, Sharon. “A Plant-Based Diet Has Impressive Benefits.” Environmental Nutrition Newsletter, edited by Amy Francis, Jan. 2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010705254/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=9fe7357f. Accessed December 2017.
Schwennesen, Paul. “The Ethics of Eating Meat.” Acting Out Culture, 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015, pp. 178–179.