"The Swine Flu Crisis Lays Bare the Meat Industry's Monstruous Power"

This article was written in April of 2009 by Mike Davis, a history professor at the University of California-Irvine and author of the book "The Monster at Our Door: The Global Threat of Avian Flu." In the article, he argues that the H1N1 "swine flu" virus has become and will continue to become a massive global problem because it has not been handled correctly. While less "lethal" than the SARS outbreak of 2003, Davis argues that H1N1 has become more "durable." He believes that the World Health Organization and the Center for Diease Control's lack of "preparedness" and prevention has allowed the H1N1 virus to infect people on the scale that it has. Davis complains that despite a "decade of urgent warnings by scientists" these largre organizations have failed to bring viral assay technology to countries that present likely origins for pandemics. He also blaims the industrial farming system, citing the statistic that, since 1965, the United States has gone from having fifty-three million hogs on more than a million farming facilities to now sixty-five million hogs packed into just sixty-five thoughsand facilities. The close quarters lead to easier spead of disease. Davis roots his argument in "the paradox of the Swine Flu panic," explaining that "while totally unexpected, it was accurately predicted."

Discussion Questions
1) What should have been done differently to prevent the swine flu outbreak? Could it have been prevented?
2) In what ways does the industial farming system contribute to the spread of diseases to humans?

Omnivore's Dilemma: Chapter 12

In Chapter twelwe of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" Michael Pollan returns to Joel Salatin's farm. Thist time, he joins them in slaughtering chickens. Joel explains that they slaughter their chickens outside in the open air and in plain view of anyone who wants to watch. He also hires his neighbors to help rather than migrant workers. As Pollan learns how to slaughter a chicken and eventually slaughters some, the process becomes a moving experience. Galen explains to him that they are careful to sever only the artery in the neck and not the entire head. This is so that the heart will continue to pump out blood. Pollan oberserves the chickens "dancing spastically" after being cut. This sight is disheartening for Pollan, although he admits the spasms are probably involuntary. He also notices that the chickens do not seem panicked before they are slaughtered and there is no sign of emotional suffering. After slaughtering a few chickens, Pollan explains that it is no longer troubling to him. But then he is troubled by the fact that it is no longer troubling. He explains that "in a way, the most morally troubling thing about killing chickens is that after a while it is no longer morally troubling."

Omnivore's Dilemma: Chapter 17

Chapter seventeen of "the Omnivore's Dilemma" is titled "The ethics of eating animals. In the chapter, Michael Pollan talks about the ethical issues involved in the comsumption of meat. He begins by reiterating his opinion that if people knew where their meat was coming from, they probably wouldn't eat as much of it. He also claims that people consiously neglect to pay attention to where their food comes from, knowing that if they did, they would see the ethical issues. Pollan cites Peter Singer in likening animal exploitation to slavery and oppresion against women. While there is much argument as to whether certain animals can reason and how their intelligence compares to that of humans, Pollan believes the underlying factor is the animals' ability to suffer. He believes that most animals in the meat industry spend their whole life suffering before they are slaughtered. He explains that because of this suffering, he became a vegetarian. However, he later points out that avoiding meat does not solve the problem and that some level of predation is neccesary for most species so that they do not overpopulate. At the end he visits a slaughterhouse and decides that animal killing is ok as long as it is done humanely. What is humane, however, is up for debate

Discussion Questions:
1) Where should we draw the line on what we consider humane treatement of animals?
2) How do we decide what species should be conidered equal to humans?

Omnivore's Dilemma: Chapters 11 & 13

In chapters eleven and thirteen of "The Omnivore's Dilemma," Michael Pollan revisits the Polyface Farm of Joel Salatin. He spends a few days working on the farm and observing its processes. He is amazed to see how well different elements of the farm work together and support each other. Joel explains to him the precise processes. He explains that they move their chickens every day so that they always have fresh grass to eat and so that they produce the right amount of maneur to fertilize the soil. Joel also uses the chickens to clean the cow maneur. The chickens eat fly larvae present the cow maneur which can prevent the growth of bacteria and disease. Joel also explains how his tress are planted in certain paterns so as to act as a cooling mechanism as well as to block wind from dampening plant growth. Joel also talks about the cost of his products, claiming that if you factor in tax payer expenses due to pollution and evironmental problems, his food is actually cheaper that most despite its higher retail price. He also claims that his food tastes better than most and complains that people care more about low cost than good taste.

Discussion Questions
1) Why are people willing to sacrifice quality for price when it comes to food but not commodities such as cars and clothes?
2) How is the government contributing to the domination of the industiralized farming?

Omnivore's Dilemma: Chapters 8 & 9

In chapters eight and nine, Michael Pollan begins to explore the "organic" food industry. He focuses on a few specific farms and learns how they work. He begins on the Polyface Farm of Joel Salatin in Virginia. This farm, which raises chicken and beef along with other meat and vegetables is very focused on remaining "organic." Salatin calls himself a "grass farmer," explaining that the production on his farm is all based on grass. All of the animals are grass fed and all of Salatin's meat is produced from the grasses he has grown. The grass, in turn, is fertilized by the animal's manuer in a system that keeps the farm sustainable and organic. However, Salatin does now think of his farm as "organic." He believes that it is "beyond organic," and should be distinguished from industrialized "organic" farms. In chapter nine Pollan travels to Cascadian Farm, owned by Gene Kahn and later to Earthbound Farm, owned by Drew and Myra Goodman. After observing Earthbounds "organic farm," he sees big differences betweeen it and Salatin's farm. A large portion of Earthbound Farm is devoted to rasing different varieties of lettuce to make organic "spring mix." In contrast to Salatin's farm the Goodmans grow their lettuce on tabletops and use lasers and machines to regulate cutting. Pollan explains that farms like the Goodmans are what are now considered organic and that we shoiuld rethink our ideas about organic food.

Discussion Questions
1) How should we define the term "organic"? What should we expect from "organic" foods?
2) What should be considered a "free-range" animal? Are free-range animals today given enough freedom to merit that title?

The Omnivore's Dilemma: Chapter 4

Chapter Four of "the Omnivore's Dilemma is entitled "The Feedlot: Making Meat." In this chapter, the author, Michael Pollan, continues an attempt to follow the path of where meat comes from and how it is produced. He does this by purchasing a calf. The calf is given the name 534, which comes from it's mother, 9534, the 34th cow born in 1995. I think it's interesting that Pollan continues to call the steer by it's numerical name. I think he does this intentionally to emphasize the fact that these cattle are bread for the sole purpose of providing meat and that personal connections with them are avoided. Pollan observes 534 and describes the cattle's daily life and the effect it has on meat and on the environment. He points out problems in the way the cattle are raised and explains how the wrongdoings can lead to disease and pollution. A large number of these problems arise from the food that the cattle are given. Pollan mentions the previous affects of cows eating meat of their own species which lead to mad cow disease, but ultimately focuses on the problems that arise from cows eating corn. A big problem with cows eating corn is that it is slightly acidic, compared to the neutral stomach of the cow. This has lead to illnesses such as E-coli in humans who consume cow meat. In the end he argues that if people really knew what whas going into their meat, there would be a lot less meat eating in this country.

Discussion Questions:
1) Why does Pollan continue to refer to his steer as 534 instead of giving it a real name?
2) How do you feel about the current state of the use of antibiotics in feedlots? Pollan mentions tat overuse can lead to stronger, more resistant forms of bacteria.

Introduction

Hi. My name is Brett. I am a freshman at Cornell University studying in the college of Engineering. This semester I am taking a class called "Having a lot on our Plates: An Introduction to the Sociology of Food and Nutrition" which focuses on the role of food in society and it's effect on the world we live in. In this blog, I will reflect on course readings and share my opinions on pressing topics regarding food. I hope you enjoy what I have to say!