Animal Cruelty

[BeenaBobba]

I know that it's not a sin to eat meat or use animals for the good of humanity, but I also know that animal cruelty is a sin. I've never really thought about this issue much, but I've recently read that animals later used for food (e.g., cows, chickens, etc.) are treated cruelly in captivity. I've read of chickens getting their beaks and claws cut off and male calfs being stuck in small, dark rooms waiting for slaughter. Of course, animal cruelty is wrong, and I'm a bit concerned about this, but what I'm wondering is if buying meat and animal products and consuming/using them constitutes cooperation with evil, considering the cruelty that takes place. Is it? If so, is it morally acceptable to use/eat these products? (Again, I'm not trying to argue that eating meat, in general, is wrong. I know it's not. I'm mostly concerned with cooperating with cruel conditions for these animals.) Also, I suffer from depression and anxiety, and I'm not the best at preparing the healthiest meals, so I get a lot of nutrients from meat. It'd seem I wouldn't be too healthy on a vegetarian/vegan diet.

What about the use of animals for medical research? What would constitute unacceptable cruelty regarding this? I'm currently on Zoloft, and I know the medicine was tested on rats. I've read that most medications are tested on animals to check for toxicity. How far is too far with research on animals?

Thanks in advance,

God bless,

Jennifer

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
12/26 - The Holy Family (St. Stephen the Protomartyr)

BeenaBobba,

It is morally legitimate to buy these products, as there is really nothing that you personally can do to change the situation, other than prayer. If you find a morally legitimate producer of meat that is reasonable to get (price-wise, &c.), then feel free to switch to that.

Medical testing on animals seems to be morally legitimate as well. Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono