Veganism is considered by many to be one of the most ethical ways of living due to its alignment with principles of compassion, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Here are several reasons why veganism is often regarded as a highly ethical choice:
Health
A well-planned vegan diet is healthy & appropriate for every stage of life. And may be the most protective against chronic disease & all cause mortality.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Position Paper:
The AND, the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in the United States, released a position paper in 2016 stating that appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases at all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood, and for athletes.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement:
The AAP recognizes that vegetarian diets, including vegan diets, can be nutritionally adequate and appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including infancy, childhood, and adolescence, provided that they are well-planned and meet nutrient needs.
British Dietetic Association (BDA) Position Statement:
The BDA, the professional association and trade union for dietitians in the UK, released a position statement affirming that well-planned vegan diets can support healthy living in people of all ages, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, children, and older adults.
Scientific Research:
Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the health benefits of well-planned vegan diets at different life stages. For example, research has shown that vegan diets can be associated with lower risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and obesity. Studies have also shown that vegan diets can provide adequate nutrition for growth, development, and overall health in infants, children, and adolescents when appropriately planned to meet nutrient needs.
Longevity Studies:
Some studies have suggested that plant-based diets, including vegan diets, may be associated with longevity and reduced risk of age-related diseases. For example, the Blue Zones, areas of the world where people live longer and have lower rates of chronic disease, often have plant-based diets as a common dietary pattern.
Overall, the consensus among major health organizations and the body of scientific evidence supports the conclusion that well-planned vegan diets can be healthy and appropriate for all stages of life. As with every diet, it’s important for individuals following a vegan diet to ensure they are meeting their nutrient needs by including a variety of nutrient-rich plant foods and, when necessary, considering supplementation or fortified foods to address specific nutrient requirements. Consulting with healthcare professionals, including registered dietitians, can provide personalized guidance and support for individuals following a vegan diet at different life stages.
Ethics
Veganism is a philosophy, to not exploit or harm animals as much as practicable. This way of living and eating cause the least harm to animals in the most significant way.
Animal Welfare: Veganism seeks to minimize harm to animals by abstaining from the use of animal products for food, clothing, cosmetics, entertainment, and other purposes. Many people believe that exploiting animals for human use, such as factory farming, slaughterhouses, and animal testing, is morally wrong and incompatible with the principles of compassion and respect for other sentient beings.
Social Justice: Veganism is often viewed as a social justice issue that intersects with other forms of oppression, such as poverty, food insecurity, and worker exploitation. By advocating for a more just and equitable food system, veganism seeks to address systemic inequalities and promote fairness and justice for all.
Health Benefits: As already mentioned, vegan diets are associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced risks of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and obesity. By prioritizing plant-based foods that are rich in nutrients and low in saturated fat and cholesterol, veganism promotes overall health and well-being.
Nonviolent Jobs
The most violent jobs are in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations & Slaughterhouses. Veganic farming is nonviolent, safest, and most enjoyable.
Sustainability
Livestock takes up nearly 80% of global agricultural land, yet produces less than 20% of the world’s supply of calories.
Environmental Sustainability: Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to environmental degradation, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and habitat destruction. Adopting a vegan lifestyle can reduce one’s environmental footprint by conserving water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving natural habitats, and minimizing pollution associated with animal agriculture.
Resource Efficiency: Producing plant-based foods typically requires fewer natural resources, such as land, water, and energy, compared to animal-based foods. By consuming plant-based foods directly, rather than feeding them to animals and then consuming animal products, veganism can help conserve resources and reduce the strain on the planet’s finite resources.
Global Food Security: Feeding crops to animals for meat, dairy, and egg production is an inefficient use of resources and contributes to global food insecurity. Adopting a plant-based diet can help alleviate pressure on the global food supply and ensure that resources are used more efficiently to feed the world’s growing population.
Safety
Reduced Animal Contact: Vegan diets exclude animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs, which are common sources of zoonotic pathogens. By avoiding consumption of animal-derived foods, individuals reduce their direct contact with potentially contaminated animal products, thereby lowering the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
Prevention of Outbreaks: Animal agriculture, particularly intensive factory farming operations, has been associated with the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. Crowded and unsanitary conditions in factory farms create environments conducive to the transmission and amplification of pathogens among animals, increasing the likelihood of zoonotic disease outbreaks. By reducing demand for animal products, veganism can help decrease the prevalence of these large-scale farming operations and mitigate the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Addressing Root Causes: Veganism advocates for addressing the root causes of zoonotic diseases by challenging the industrialized and unsustainable practices of animal agriculture. By promoting plant-based diets and sustainable food systems, veganism encourages a shift towards more ethical, environmentally friendly, and health-conscious food choices that prioritize public health and well-being.
Integrity
Most people, esp. children, do not want to see an animal hurt. Veganism is the only contiguous way.
Overall, veganism is considered by many to be a compassionate, sustainable, and ethical way of living that aligns with values of kindness, justice, and respect for all living beings. While individual beliefs and motivations for adopting a vegan lifestyle may vary, the ethical principles underlying veganism reflect a commitment to creating a more compassionate and equitable world for humans, animals, and the planet.