by Ashlee K

Created on: June 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 20, 2008

Would you like clean meat with those fries?

Would you eat stem cell grown, "clean meat" in order to protect the environment?

Yes or no?

It is generally believed that it is healthy to eat meat. Meat is the bulk of the average Australian and American diet. We can see average households eat servings of meat, seafood and chicken every single night. But in order to get meat, humans take great lengths.

Animals such as; cattle, fish, chickens, pigs etc. are raised in confinement. Many are raised to be killed and others that are spared, are stripped of their beautiful skin and fur.

Many of these animals are killed prematurely, way before they are even seen as old. For example; the natural lifespan for cattle is 20 - 25 years, but on a cattle farm their lives are dramatically cut short.

Peoples personal politics, opinions and views on the slaughtering of cattle and farm animals has lead to a increasing number in vegetarians and vegans.

I myself, do not believe that these animals, innocent animals should be murdered in order to feed a human society. Animals and ourselves as humans were both put on this planet and should have an equal chance at living.

I believe that this new source of food, stem cell grown "clean meat" is a fantastic idea and a way in which to educate people on the wrongs of eating animals. Clean meat would put an end to the suffering of millions of animals per year.

But on the other hand, even though no animals would be harmed in order to produce clean meat, this innovative idea has not yet been perfected, let alone invented. Besides is it possible that clean meat would be available in our lifetime?

It is easy for many people to say, yes, I for one would eat this new "clean meat" or no, I prefer the real thing, but do we know the side - effects of stem cell grown meat for those willing to try it? No, we don't. Is it possible that in a way more chemicals would be used in the production of clean meat than drugs used in prepping a cow for its death? Yes.

No matter how much we study there will always be questions left unanswered and possibilities that can not be explained.

Although I respect other peoples opinions and views on clean meat, I for one would not eat it. I refuse to eat red meat and although clean meat wouldn't be the result of a cows death, after not eating red meat for a long time it just would not seem right.

Even though I would not eat clean meat I would still rally for others to make the switch. To be human enough to say, right we as a society have caused the death of way too many animals and this should be stopped.

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