Rogerian Argument

Arthur’s argument was that it is unacceptable that living beings have become an object for processing. He was shocked and outraged by the inhumane treatment of the livestock, which feeds America. The genetic modification of the chickens is especially atrocious. The poor animals could barely take three steps without falling to the ground because their overly large bodies are too heavy for their premature bones. The production of food has regressed to a point that is inhumane and should not be allowed. The four super-corporations that dominate the industry are too far removed from what it is they control and something has to change.

The demand for meat in America is extremely high. There are many levels of profit made from the meat production market and therefore it is important for it to function as cheaply and efficiently as possible. It is unrealistic for the industry to be regulated to the point where the treatment of animals is more important that the swift production of the meat. It only makes sense to combine the corn and meat industry and to feed the animals the easily accessible corn. The genetic modification of the animals is just another way to speed up and condense the process.

Since the arguments oppose each other very strongly, it could be tricky to come up with a compromise. One way this could be done is by separating the four main producers into more, smaller companies. With less to oversee, there would be more time for assessing the living conditions of the livestock and creating ways to purify the process. It is understandable that the demand for meat is high and growing, but the integrity and morality of the production needs to be kept. If the public were informed about who their meat is produced by and how it is done, then the profit of the industry would be determined by the public’s choice of whom they buy from. The companies would have no choice but to adhere to the demands of the public for a safer and more humane process if they wanted to continue making substantial profit.