Veganism and the study of animal science: supporting and conflicting ideas and practices

At present I am studying for a BSc in Animal Science.  I have been a dietary vegan for over a year (vegetarian for twelve years previously) due to ethical reasons (for instance not wanting to support any intensive farming systems that have a detrimental effect on animal welfare).  I also avoid the use of all animal products as far as practically possible.

Animal science involves a very broad area of study, including microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, behaviour, welfare, and much more, where many areas interlink. It can be a controversial area of study: think about invasive/unethical experimentation or research, or behaviour studies designed to promote and improve animal welfare.  For this reason, as a vegan, I have come across different theories and practices that have either supported my views or conflicted with them.  My aim here is not to tell precisely what I have been taught or to give my findings from any specific research, but to give an overview of what I have experienced so far whilst studying this subject area as a vegan.

The study of animal nutrition highlights the biochemical processes that take place during digestion, and suggests food types from which different nutrients can be obtained.  It covers mammalian digestion, whether carnivorous, herbivorous or omnivorous, and whether by monogastric or polygastric animals.  There always seem to be new ideas as to the best sources of nutrients (including for humans) and the most successful ways of absorbing these nutrients; however I have come across nothing so far in my studies that shows evidence of a carnivorous/omnivorous diet being healthier for humans in the long term.

Dissections of animal organs or experimentation using animal bi-products are part of the course.  I agree it is good to learn first hand, but couldn’t video footage/photography be used more to highlight the main areas, thereby using decent learning equipment without the continual use of animals.  Organs will mostly come from abattoirs, where they are classified as waste.  Surely if there were less animals slaughtered this waste would not be as easily available.  My justification of attending such lessons (usually without actively taking part, and having suggested alternative methods) is that knowledge gained will go to promoting good animal welfare in the future.

Much original behaviour research and experimentation led to many welfare concerns.  More recent and ethical studies in this area have increased the acceptability of this as a scientific area of study in itself, therefore leading to advances in animal welfare and legislation.

Disease in animals is not rare, especially in intensive systems where contact between animals is close.  Hence the use of preventive treatments/methods carried out to avoid infection and the spread of disease.  Not only does this have adverse effects on animal welfare, but on human health as well.

As an area of study, animal science is increasingly varied as more theories and practices are become accepted, and more knowledge of animals is obtained.  It is very difficult to have a completely unbiased view in such a controversial and broad area as many ideas do overlap.  Focus within animal science on areas that will be beneficial to animal welfare is the approach I am taking, continually avoiding any practices that contradict my beliefs, and where possible promoting alternatives and awareness.

Christina Wells, June 2003

We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals … for the animal shall not be measured by man.  In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.  They are not brethren; they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth. (Henry Beston, 1888-1968)

[ OxVeg Front Page | Index of Articles ]

Oxford Vegetarians Web site is hosted by the International Vegetarian Union.

This page created 29 June 2003 by Paul Appleby.