How long would it be before cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens etc became extinct if we didn't eat them? They don't make great pets, and can no longer survive in the wild.

And if you eat dairy but not meat, what happens to the male offspring of the animals that are providing the milk? No annual pregnancy, no milk, and statistically 50% of the offspring will be male. If you can't keep them, it seems unethical not to make full use of the gift of their life.

I agree that the modern diet is out of whack, with far too much processed and refined food, and that modern intensive models of animal raising are cruel and wasteful. What we need is to find a balance between animal and vegetable sources of food, and find more ways to encourage sustainable and humane farming.

I don't have any good answers, and am still figuring out how to eat. Was lethargic as a vegetarian, constipated on Atkins (tho I did lose weight and felt energetic). Am trying to develop a diet that revolves around whole grains and beans, but has enought protien and fat to provide energy without gaining weight. Am also trying to figure out how to fit in a second 2 mile hike with my dog without quitting my job and starving).