Factory Farming - Why It Is So Dangerous

Factory farms are the most commonly used method in the United States today to raise animals for meat. Most of the meat found in the US supermarkets comes from factory farms, and most consumers are not only aware of what is in the meat, but what we expect in terms of our health and safety to produce it. In addition to the horrific cruelty of animals, factory farms cause massive pollution of ground and groundwater, promote the development of "super" resistant bacteria, routinely endanger the well-being of workers and create at least half of all greenhouse gases.

When we hear the word "farm" we think of grasslands, pastures, and big red barrels. The term farm plant is a bit of a misunderstanding because only the first half of the term is accurate. The situation in which the animals are raised does not coincide with the wonderful vision we have on the family farm, but the abundance of concrete and steel is along the lines of what one would expect to see in a normal factory. Most animals are closely housed indoors for the rest of their lives, never seeing the light of day. In this situation, the animals become ill, so they are fed a large amount of antibiotics. This causes new bacterial strains to be resistant to super antibiotics - bugs.

Animals are also fed growth hormones to accelerate their growth so they can be slaughtered faster. Under normal circumstances it took two years for the calf to reach full maturity. With growth hormones, it takes half the time and the hormones and antibiotics fed to the animal are then passed on to the consumers in the meat they buy. This results in early physical maturity in children and lowers endurance.

In addition to growth hormones, animals are fed a genetically modified diet of soybeans that are genetically modified, corn, and other cereals for the purpose of producing plumper and softer meat. Because this is not a natural diet of animals, they are having difficulty digesting and emitting excess amounts of methane gas, which moves into the upper atmosphere by increasing greenhouse gases. Currently, approximately 50% of greenhouse gases are methane.

Feeds of animals fed cereals also contain high levels of e-coli, deadly bacteria that pollute the soil and running water. The contamination can spread to fruit and vegetable crops, which we have seen in the consumption of forced products like peanut and spinach. If you have ever heard of food products being withdrawn due to e-coli contamination, you are sure there are factory farms behind it.

As it happens, meat processing is one of the most dangerous jobs you can do. As a result, many meat processing plants are operated by illegal immigrants and workers who have no choice. These workers are exposed to toxins in raw meat, and in feces that flow from the intestines of slaughtered animals.

So while the packages at the meat market at the supermarket look pristine and attractive, they are full of hormones, antibiotics and impurities - not so much. The good news is that more and more people are aware of the dangers posed by factory farms and prefer to enjoy local farms in their communities or buy organic meats. Organically raised animals are treated more human and are not given hormones or antibiotics. If you know about farms in your area, especially those that use organic methods, you may want to consider paying a little extra for healthier foods.

Factory Farming - Why It Is So Dangerous


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