Is eating meat ethical?

Beyond the other problems that consumption of meat causes the concerns over the feelings of the animals rarely makes much of an impact on the debate. At this point in human civilization should the issue at least be considered? Can a truly civilized society take part in the slaughter of billions of animals annually when other viable options exist?

What does it say about human civilization that the torture and slaughter of animals occurs as an after thought? If killing for convenience occurs so easily with animals how far away is that action from exploiting humans?

Consuming massive amounts of meat is a relatively new part addition to human diet. A more traditional human interaction with animals has been to work side-by-side with them to plow fields and ensure that enough food is available to the family. In many parts of the world oxen are still an important part of providing food for a family.

For centuries human lived as hunters and gathers. Our diets consisted mostly of plants. One of the things that allowed humans to thrive has been our ability to adapt and eat almost anything. Humanity ate animal flesh when nothing else was available, but it was not the first option.

Mechanization changed this. Harvesting animals became easy. Factory farms grow animals like crops and slaughter them at will. At no point in this process is the life of the animal ever considered.

Causing the suffering of countless creatures for our convenience is having devastating effects on our environment and our health. Even though those selfish reasons might cause humans to cut back on the amount of meat our plates, another reason to stop already exists.