How is animal welfare addressed in studies of “sustainable diets”?
Context and Importance:
Within the academic discourse surrounding the environmental and social impacts of meat production and consumption, farmed animal welfare often receives minimal attention compared to concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions, zoonotic diseases, and biodiversity loss. This discrepancy suggests that ethical considerations for animal wellbeing are not given equal weight in scholarly investigations. This oversight not only perpetuates a culture that may overlook the ethical implications of industrial animal agriculture but also shields professionals, including veterinarians and animal scientists, from critical examination. Addressing this gap involves closely analyzing existing literature to assess the extent and depth of discussions on farmed animal welfare and employing computational techniques like sentiment analysis. Additionally, surveying or interviewing scientists can provide insights into the factors influencing their engagement with, or neglect of, farmed animal welfare issues.
Potential Research Approach:
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis:
Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of academic literature focused on meat production and consumption to quantitatively evaluate the prevalence and treatment of farmed animal welfare issues.
Computational Analysis of Scholarly Publications:
Employ computational methods, such as sentiment analysis and textual analysis, to assess the frequency, tone, and context of discussions related to animal welfare within scholarly publications.
Surveys and Interviews with Researchers:
Administer surveys and conduct interviews with scientists and researchers to explore their attitudes, perceptions, and motivations regarding the inclusion of farmed animal welfare in their research agendas.
Comparative Analysis of Study Focus Areas:
Compare the attention given to farmed animal welfare against other environmental and social impacts within the same studies to highlight disparities and identify opportunities for increasing attention to ethical considerations.
Additional Questions:
How do prevailing paradigms in environmental and agricultural sciences influence the prioritization of farmed animal welfare within research agendas?
What role do funding structures and institutional policies play in shaping research priorities related to animal welfare in industrial agriculture?
How can interdisciplinary collaboration between environmental scientists, ethicists, and animal welfare advocates enhance the integration of ethical considerations into discussions on sustainable food systems and agricultural practices?