Article # 17
You are what you eat
I recently watched a movie in class that struck such a chord in me that expressing my opinions about it was a must. Food Inc, is at the very least, an eye opener. The ethical issues exposed by the documentary are enough to send chills down the spines of any viewer. The significant problems originate from the large food production companies themselves, such as Smithfield and Monsanto. To put their hold of the food market in perspective, Monsanto provides the technology for 90% of the world’s genetically engineered seeds. The legal power of such major companies allows them to produce in bulk cheap yet contaminated food, which consequently leads to a very unhealthy American lifestyle.
The way that meat is produced is also very controversial. One factor that should be taken into consideration is how inhumane the process of killing the animals really are. If they are to be slaughtered, let it be done in an appropriate way. Squashing them in large numbers, as shown in the movie, is not only distasteful but also brings about risks to the consumer. The animals are prone to diseases when kept tightly packed in a certain area. Not only that, but the animals are genetically being tampered with so that the food can sustain the population. Essentially, animals such as cows, pigs, and chicken are adequately fattened so that they can quickly be killed and distributed. According to daily-press, the company of Smithfield raises 14 million pigs a year and processes 27 million. They produce roughly about 6 billion pounds of pork and 1.5 billion pounds of beef. The slaughtering process is horrifying to watch.
Another ethical issue that the movie raises is the negative impact that the large food production companies have on small town farmers and independent workers. Any individual keen on producing their own food are faced to deal with extremely harsh consequences if they violate the exclusive rights of the larger companies. This often puts farmers at risk of losing their jobs and money. It has been stated that an estimated 400 farmers have received threats of legal action from Monsanto over alleged patent infringement. The power for the market should be more evenly distributed between the independent owners and the big names in order to create an environment that benefits both the producers and the consumers.
There are many dilemmas presented in Food, Inc but there is only one solution: the people. We, the consumers, have to act and request for a change in order to make the country a healthier place. We have to stand up to the production companies and demand for a system that is more sustainable, both economically and environmentally. Only then will we see the change that we desire.
