A coherent path forward, therefore, is a "welfare-to-rights" approach. We should aggressively pursue welfare reforms to minimize suffering in the short term, while simultaneously recognizing that these reforms are stepping stones, not the destination. The ultimate goal should be a cultural shift toward a plant-based society, enabled by technology (lab-grown meat, plant-based proteins) and education. We can fight to ban the most cruel practices today (like force-feeding ducks for foie gras or confining calves in veal crates) while working toward a future where using sentient beings as commodities is viewed as a historical barbarism.
Most developed nations have "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" acts, though these often contain exemptions for livestock and laboratory animals. 4. Why It Matters: The "One Health" Connection A coherent path forward, therefore, is a "welfare-to-rights"