Factory Farming - Coursework Example

Is factory farming a defensible practice?

In as much as the proponents of factory farming claim that the activity has contributed to better nutrition, housing, and disease management and control in the last two decades, the activities of factory farming have created more harm to the environment, further abusing the animals and brought with it numerous health risks. Factory farming is not a defensible practice as the confinement of animals contributes to the weakening of the animals’ bones and muscles (Centner & Newton, 2011). In the event of viral attacks, the animals often face the risk of high transmission from contagious diseases.

Humans, in accordance with CDC, the farms practicing intensive rearing expose the workers to adverse health risks (Greger & Koneswaran, 2010). Such workers may develop certain conditions such as skeletal or muscular injuries, chronic and acute lung complications, and infections like tuberculosis that are transmitted from animals to people. In addition to that, consumers endure most of the farmer's activity when consuming the final product. When farmers use pesticides to avert losses from pets, the chemicals in these pesticides cause health problems to the consumers of such products.

Large numbers of animals contribute to environmental degradation. Pesticides and fertilizers applied in the growth of animal feeds cause environmental pollution. These effluents pollute water and soil resources (Mitloehner & Schenker, 2007). Manure waste and agrochemicals degrade the air, while large numbers of animals put a strain on the limited energy and water resources. Ethically, factory farming is not a defensible practice.