ke the new feed additive from Shell OilCompany. Called XLP-30, it is designed to "boost pigs per litter," thoughit has a name that sounds like it should be added to motor oil instead ofanimal food. Incredibly, a Shell official acknowledges- "we don't know whyit works." This is just one example of the chemical tampering that the meatindustry is forced to do with its animals in order to fight off thediseases that the animals cramped, unsanitary living conditions bring withthem. As discussed by R.G. Frey, this poses the most serious of threats tothe health of Americans because "...the liberal use of antibiotics inanimal feed may, in time, build immunity in animals and, through them, inus, to these drugs, some of which may play a role in the treatment of humandiseases"(10). Leonardo Da Vinci said "the time will come when men such as I willlook on the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men"(Robbins 148). While the cruelty of murdering other animals for their fleshis a moral argument in favor of vegetariansim, it seems rather unlikelythat amny Americans could ever be swayed by its message. However, manyAmericans are interested in preserving their own health and well-being, andthat should lead many people towards a vegetarian lifestyle since avegetarian diet includes the necessary vitamins and minerals to sustainhuman life, with out any of the negative byproducts of animal consumption,such as cholesterol, excessive fat, and excessive protein. A healthylifestyle is something benefits us all, and yet most people are unwillingto give up the meat-filled diets. If the phrase "You are what you eat" has any amount of truth to it,then Americans need to realize what they are ingesting every time theyenjoy a Big Mac, some Whoppers, or a filet mignon. There are healthieralternatives to the meat eating that nearly every member of our society hasbeen weaned on, and those alternatives all include the consumption of mo...
