There is more bad news for the omnivores of America. Recently, a meatpacking plant was forced to shut down in California, and more than 140 million pounds of beef, dating back as early as February 2006, have been recalled.
It was discovered, after secret surveillance footage was released, that the slaughterhouse was sending weak, sick and injured cows to slaughter, even while knowing the poor condition of the animals. To make matters worse, some of this questionable meat was used in the national school lunch program, as well as in restaurants such as Jack in the Box.
This means some people on this campus may have unknowingly eaten tainted meat while still in high school. This is the largest meat recall in the history of the United States. Moreover, it perfectly illustrates another reason Americans should eat less meat.
There are ample numbers of vegans and vegetarians of all forms on this campus. Take, for example, the professor who uses tofu loaves, rather than roast beef, to demonstrate Newton's law of cooling. The choices and actions of these people are admirable.
However, not everyone cares to make such a decision in their eating habits.
Personally, I enjoy the occasional Tofurky and pepperoni sandwich. To build a better America, meat consumption need not be completely eliminated, just greatly reduced.
First of all, there would be fewer animal cruelty cases, such as the above mentioned California cows. Tapes from the plant show lame cows being rolled by forklifts to their deaths. It is horrific. If there was a decreased demand for meat, there would be fewer animals raised for slaughter and fewer total animal abuse cases.
In addition to saving animals, eating less meat would also improve the quality of the environment. Meat production adds more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than automobiles do. If you had to choose between eating meat and driving your vehicle, which would it be?
It is also cheaper to say no to a steak than to purchase a hybrid car (although that is also a very good thing to do).
Along with better air to breathe, Americans would likely be healthier all around. Scientific studies have shown that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk for developing cancer, especially colon cancer. Due to its high saturated fat content, red meat has also been linked to heart disease and the development of diabetes. Americans have so many other risk factors for these terrible conditions - why choose to add one more?
There are so many non-meat options in the world. This campus offers a plethora of meat-free meals which are delicious and cheap. Meat does not have to make the meal. Other sources of protein do exist, and may be, in fact, better.
After all, there have been no reported cases of a human developing Mad Cow Disease after eating legumes. Black beans can even reverse the damage done to the heart by red meat and decrease the risk of having a heart attack.
Peanut butter can provide a filling snack any time of the day. Bacon'¦ not so much.
It is time that Americans stop relying solely on their furry friends to provide them with an evening meal. For the betterment of this country and the entire world, it is time that Americans stop eating so much meat.
Emily Houtler is a sophomore majoring in environmental science and math. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
