Contemporary researchers and animal rights groups have been always on the forefront campaigning for the adoption of artificial meat. Their possibility of producing artificial meat and it is being accepted among the people in the society is gaining popularity. Researchers argue that the artificial meat offers several solutions related to climatic changes, pollution and animal rights. The issues of whether artificial meat is safe for consumption has been contentious. Researchers in the field argue that the artificial meat is safe for consumption. The paper provides an argument that supports the adoption of artificial meat in our society.
According to Singer, he argues that we should respect animals because they have self-conscious, as he uses the great apes as an example, as the great apes have self-conscious sense among themselves. Moreover, in animal kingdom, most animals have forward-looking desires and they have desire to live. Therefore, human beings do not have the right to take away an animal’s life. For Regan, he argues that dying is the worst harm on an individual because it totally destroys a person’s abilities to achieve satisfied desires. Ragan points out that all mammals and birds all have desires. This means that dying is the greatest harmful, and he mentions that we should not kill animals because they have desire and right to live. Synthetic meat can reduce the killing of animals and those animal can achieve their lives desire and have right to live. According to Regan’s view is that it is absolutist, which means that “we never use animals as a means to our ends, no matter how good those ends might be”. As we use pig or cows for our meat, and it is seriously morally wrong to treat animals in this way. All animals should be treated respectfully because they are all having equal rights.
Artificial meat is relatively cheap. It will offer significant solutions to several of problems facing the world today. Artificial meat will offer solutions to hunger problems, pollution problems and production costs. The technology does not require infrastructure to breed animals. Artificial meat production will be cost-effective by avoiding diseases and animal hygiene issues related to breeding and rearing of animals. Also, artificial meat production does not require large scale slaughtering of animals.
Artificial meat production has been accepted by renowned and encouraged by many prominent people. For instance, Google’s Serge Brin funded a project that produced synthetic meat burger from animal stem cells. Brin’s support for the technology is to safeguard the animal welfare. He argues that animals ought to be protected and not subjected to suffering. Brin also argues that breeding and rearing cows are inefficient. This is because, animals require large chunks of food while a little amount of food is obtained from them for human consumption. A lot of food is lost feeding animals at the expense of feeding humans with little food. The process and activities involved in artificial meat production are more efficient and are believed to be clean. The variables can be kept under control.
In supporting artificial meat production and consumption, Singer argues that it is wrong to use animals as foods. Singer notes animals have rights that should be respected and safeguarded. Based on the principle of equality, Singer argues that human beings should have respect for animals. Animals are entitled to equal considerations based on their interests regardless of the species in which they belongs. All the nature species should be treated equally based on the experience of pain and pleasure. Animals too are entitled to equal moral consideration. Ragan reports that the radical animal treatment should be altered. The case for animal rights set out a framework for respecting and treatment animals well.
According to Singer, consuming animal meat can be justified in some circumstances. For instance, animal meat can be eaten if there is not any alternative to survive other than meat. Singer argues that it is wrong for most people to use animals for food since most people living in urban centers have alternatives. Singer provides a utilitarian argument that people have a moral obligation to reduce animal suffering.
It is unacceptable to think and view animals as sources of food to be manipulated, eaten or put in sport to obtain money. According to the textbook, p.143, it is wrong to think that animals are kept and used that way. Humans should be encouraged to eat less meat and minimize the use of animal products. The aim of advocating for this is to respect the welfare of animals, prevent environmental damage and pollution. Less space and land will also be required to keep animals. The land can be used for other productive activities.
Artificial meat can minimize the harmful activities of killing animals and the effects of meat products in the future. Despite that eating meat has deeply evolved into human eating habits, there is a need to make people be aware of the need to change their perception and embrace artificial meat. Based on the predictions that human population is set to double by 2060, and the demand for meat will also rise, the keeping of livestock will be among the key factors expected to be responsible for climatic changes in the world. People are encouraged to reduce consumption of animal meat.
Human beings are judged with the responsibility of directly taking care of animals. People have a duty to be kind to animals and direct duty of not being cruel to them. Embracing the production and consumption of artificial meat can stop or reduce killing of animals. It is also better for our environment and health, as well. Animals, like any other living creatures, experience pain and pleasure. People should also be encouraged to eat less meat and reduce the mentality that meat should be part of their daily diet.
