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From: ray@vger.UUCP (Ray Swartz)
Newsgroups: net.veg
Subject: Re: \"Aesthetics\"
Message-ID: <316@vger.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 28-Jan-86 09:43:22 EST
Article-I.D.: vger.316
Posted: Tue Jan 28 09:43:22 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 30-Jan-86 05:22:45 EST
References: <733@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Organization: UC Santa Cruz, CIS Dept.
Lines: 34
Summary: Other reasons for not eating meat...

The recent discussion on why people don't eat meat mentioned that
there are no facts that suggest that eating meat is better for
you (or the world).  I disagree.

Animals that eat meat have a different metabolism and digestive
structure than humans.  First, look at the teeth.  Carnivors have
very sharp teeth for ripping and killing.  Humans have teeth more
closely resembling herbivores (like apes who don't eat meat at all).
In addition, the length of the digestive tract is another indication
of what food an animal processes.  Carnivores have very short digestive
tracts whereas humans have a long one that expects foods requiring
different lengths of time and method for digestion.  A short digestive
tract is designed for speed of processing to lower the problem
of putrid material in the body.  Also, carivores (example: dogs/cats)
tend to sleep just after eating so they can digest and expell their
food quickly.

Another point is that meat takes far more resources to make.
One comparison I've heard is that it takes 10 times the land
and water resources to create 1 pound of protein with meat than
with soybeans.  Thus, one of the main reasons people go hungry is
that we are taking food from them and giving it to animals for
fattening.  For those of you who do eat meat and get saddened by
those starving throughout the world, look to thyself for the answer.
It is hard to think of peace when you are hungry or when your
food is killed.

I hope this is not more than my 2 cents worth.

In real life - Ray Swartz (NOTE: the listed reply may be bogus:

in reality: CSnet: ray@uscs.CSnet
	    ARPAnet: ray%vger%uscsc.uucp@usbvax.EDU)