Views on eating meat, so far:

Since the beginning of human evolution two million years ago, humans have always been omnivorous hunters and gathers. Humans have just as much of a right to eat meat as other carnivores do. Some other meat eating animals eat their prey when it is still alive; at least humans have more decency. It is evident that traditions around the world, including some places in the United States, do not treat animals with respect. I believe to be a moral meat eater, one should be aware of where their meat is coming from. An average American would be able to afford meat and should choose organically or healthily raised animals, opposed to factory meat. Therefore, I believe that it is moral and ethical for an average American to eat meat, because it is natural to our human nature. It is important however, to be conscious of where the meat comes from to ensure that animals are treated in a humane manner.

I found the article, “Eating meat is natural” by Jim Powlesland, http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~powlesla/personal/hunting/rights/meat.txt. In this article, the author explains what the USDA Dietary Guidelines are for Americans. It is recommended that Americans should eat grain products, vegetables, fruits, low fat milk products, lean meats, fish, poultry, and dry beans to have a healthy diet. Animal meat is the only source of B12, so by cutting this out of your diet, you will be unnatural, according to Powlesland. It is also evident that children need a complete diet including meat to be healthy when developing. According to Powlesland, children that have been raised on a vegan diet have slowed growth and development.

Although this is not a complete defense for eating meat, as it does have flaws. I again suggest that we should be moral meat eaters, and know where our meat comes from.