Vegetarianism and Ethical Considerations: A Student Perspective

This essay delves into the multifaceted perspectives surrounding vegetarianism, primarily focusing on student viewpoints and their implications. The author examines the ethical dimensions of meat consumption, particularly concerning animal rights and sustainable practices, referencing surveys and viewpoints from various students. The essay contrasts arguments for and against vegetarianism, considering the health benefits, environmental impact, and the challenges of adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. It highlights the importance of ethical considerations, the role of diet in promoting animal welfare, and the broader impact on the environment, concluding with the author's support for vegetarianism as a means to address these concerns. The essay references supporting documents and research to provide a balanced view of the complex issue of vegetarianism within a societal context.

Running head: ABOUT VEGETARIANISM
ABOUT VEGETARIANISM
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

1ABOUT VEGETARIANISM
Vegetarianism is the practice of refraining from the consumption of foods, which
includes meat or any other animal products (Merli, Iebba and Giusto 2016). Recently the
vegetarian or the vegan diet has gained huge attention especially among the young people. In
concerned of this trend, Powell and Gil had conducted a detailed survey on the young people
called ‘Virgin Voters’ series where they have asked about what they prefer to eat and why as
well as how much it politically matters. The students are asked about their attitude towards
the meat consumption (Gil, 2019).
Powell and Gil have first illustrated the views of two parties. First is the Green party
which supports transmission from the meat or animal oriented food products to the vegetable
based healthier diet as well as organic, stock-free sustainable farming methods. Last is the
Conservatives and Labour who have no clear policies on support of vegetarianism though
supporting sustainable farming. After this, they have collected the student’s view on going
for vegetarianism and told to support one party in which they have received the following
responses.
During this survey, they have identified that about 20% of adult people in U.K are
following the vegetarian diet in response to their increased concern for the detrimental impact
on environment for eating meat (Wells et al. 2017).
Jess Murray, a student of philosophy suggests that everyone should diminish or avoid
meat eating to sustain the meat consumption level, which is in unsustainable condition
recently. According to her avoiding the meat consumption and adopting, the vegan diet
would be an ethical decision as it confirms much contribution to the animal rights. She says
that the animals are treated badly in the farms and the meats are not sourced ethically. To
avoid all these cruelty on the animals everyone should adopt vegan diet, which forbids any
kind of food coming from the animals.

2ABOUT VEGETARIANISM
I respect the concern of Jess Murray for the violation of animal rights and their plight
due to the inhumane treatment but excluding all kinds of animal products such as milk,
butter, curds that are essential for ensuring the good health (Wibowo, Syahlani and Nurtini
2010). People need not go to that much extremity to stop the inhumane treatment of animals
just little awareness and kindness is able to defend the right of animals. According to Jess
Murray exclusion of animal product will be able to remove the cruelty and the maltreatment
of the animals but I think if there will be no need the people will definitely be indifferent to
the welfare of the animal and can create for their existence.
Jena Herbert another PGCE student also argued that the animals have some right and
feelings. Killing the animals for food is selfish, unethical and inhumane when there are
multiple alternative means available to them.
Some students think that people should be aware about where from their foods are
coming. They suggests that if people minimise their meat intake switching to the other
vegetables and producing meat in a sustainable amount people would be able to ensure the
welfare of the animals as well as the environment which is gradually going down from the
people’s priority.
I also support this view because adoption of vegetarian ensures the less demand as
well as harm or threat to the animal. ASPCA has identified that animals are kept in small
overcrowded as well as confined cages, misuse of antibiotics takes place. There chemicals are
used on animals with addition of abusive handling by workers (MILLER and PATRONEK
2016). Apart from this, the unsustainable amount of animal production due to mass demand
detrimentally affecting the environment. It is causing the landfill as well as the increased
amount of greenhouse gas emission which in turn contributing in climate change.

3ABOUT VEGETARIANISM
Another respondent has proposed that meat is essential for ensuring the balanced diet.
Vegetables cannot provide the every required elements or nutrition needed for the health. In
contrary to this view it is proved that vegetarian meals when optimally planned, all essential
amino acids, vitamins and minerals it can supply to the body. USDA and FAO of UN have
proved that meat is not essential part of health diet.
A respondent also argued that following the diet demands much time as well as the
monetary but not everyone is able to sustain that much lifestyle.
According to me, this claim is not right because meats or non-vegetarian foods are
more expensive than the vegetarian foods especially when one choose organic and antibiotic
free brands. According to Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, plant-based diets
enable one to save almost $750/year (Bazerghi, McKay and Dunn 2016).
Apart from all these aspects, there are some other beneficial aspects of vegetarianism
such as it is one of the effective ways to lower the body weight because cutting out the high
fat meats naturally lowers the calories as well as saturated fat. Meatless vegetarian diets also
lower the risk of obesity and the heart disease. American Heart Association highlights that it
lowers the risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. Switching to the vegetarian
diet will prove to be more economical. Bacteria, parasites, and chemical toxins are common
in commercial meat, poultry compared to the organic plant-based foods so vegetarianism
ensures less toxicity. The plenty of water taking along with vitamins, minerals as well as
antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables, which contributes, to healthier skin. Vegetarian
diet contains high fibre, which helps to improve digestion as well as body metabolism. It also
ensures better moods as well as reduced depression through removing toxins from body
(Vegetarian.lovetoknow.com, 2019).

4ABOUT VEGETARIANISM
Because of all those above-mentioned advantages of vegetarian diet, I also like
Powell and Gil’s virgin voters support the Green Party and go for vegetarianism. According
to me whoever is concerned about the welfare of the animals and the healthy environment
should become vegetarian.

5ABOUT VEGETARIANISM
References
Bazerghi, C., McKay, F.H. and Dunn, M., 2016. The role of food banks in addressing food
insecurity: A systematic review. Journal of community health, 41(4), pp.732-740.
Clonan, A., Wilson, P., Swift, J.A., Leibovici, D.G. and Holdsworth, M., 2015. Red and
processed meat consumption and purchasing behaviours and attitudes: impacts for human
health, animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Public health nutrition, 18(13),
pp.2446-2456.
Gil, N. (2019). Should everyone become vegetarian?. [online] the Guardian. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/apr/10/should-everyone-become-vegetarian
[Accessed 7 Sep. 2019].
Merli, M., Iebba, V. and Giusto, M., 2016. What is new about diet in hepatic
encephalopathy. Metabolic brain disease, 31(6), pp.1289-1294.
MILLER, L. and PATRONEK, G., 2016. Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on
Animal Welfare. In Animal Maltreatment: Forensic Mental Health Issues and
Evaluations (pp. 197-233). Oxford University Press Oxford.
Vegetarian.lovetoknow.com. (2019). [online] Available at:
https://vegetarian.lovetoknow.com/Advantages_of_Vegetarianism [Accessed 7 Sep. 2019].
Wells, L., Hardie, L., Williams, C., White, K., Liu, Y., De Santis, B., Debegnach, F., Moretti,
G., Greetham, S., Brera, C. and Papageorgiou, M., 2017. Deoxynivalenol biomarkers in the
urine of UK vegetarians. Toxins, 9(7), p.196.
Wibowo, C.P., Syahlani, S.P. and Nurtini, S., Study of Animal-Based Food Product Labeling
use. Buletin Peternakan, 43(2).

6ABOUT VEGETARIANISM