Expert: Tina Volpe - 5/20/2009

Question
Hi, I'm Shirley, a 6th grader at Joaquin Miller Middle School, San Jose. I'm working on a project called I-Search, so I have some questions about factory farm animals, and lab animals.

Is there any other substitute for animals in animal testing? If so, what?

Why do workers at factory farm treat the animals so badly?(Don't they know not to?)

How do other countries treat their animals?

Thanks A LOT!!!!
If you want to contact me, please e-mail me at:
again, Thanks!!!

Answer
Hi Shirley,

Sounds like a good project - we all need to know more about how animals are treated and educate others!

As far as animal testing, I'm not an expert in this field, however, I do know that most of the testing that goes on does not benefit humans because of the difference in anatomy.  Here is an excellent website for further information on animal vivisection (animal testing):  http://www.vivisectioninfo.org

Now, about factory farmed animals - this is really a complex question as it deals with the billions of animals killed each year for food - and the rules which do not apply because they are considered food, not feeling, caring animals.  If the workers were to do what they do to a dog, they would be in jail.  

But - consider the workload of these workers - they have to kill and dismember thousands of animals in one day.  They are put on such a huge quota to produce they get frustrated.... and after much time killing these precious beings, become numb, I believe, or drink alcohol at lunch (they are almost all either illegal aliens, or alcoholics) - to become numb in order to mask what they are actually doing.  This in turn leads to cruelty to the animals....  

Please remember, it's not the workers that are cruel, it is the demand for their flesh which makes the companies have to produce more, which limits the animals space and comfort.  They have a living hell in these factory farms.  Please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIjanhKqVC4

This will further clarify the treatment of factory farmed animals, and please, don't blame just the workers - its the industry and people who consume meat products.

The last question is not possible to answer, too many different countries, and too many different laws, etc.... but they do eat dogs in china as well as other countries.  

Tina