Paragraph

In Gail Eisnitz’s Slaughterhouse she discusses that some of the reasons animals are killed inhumanely stem from myths about how killing methods affect the presence of bacteria in the meat. When Eisnitz talks to Bucky White, a worker at the Morrell plant in Sioux City, Iowa, he says that a superintendent turns the stun gun down that workers use to knock cows unconscious. This happens because the company doesn’t want the cows “too dead” (122). The company believes that if the animals don’t bleed out – while they’re still alive – that they will retain their blood. This blood will breed bacteria and make the meat sick. Even though this method has been disputed by numerous scientific studies that Eisnitz cites, the policy continues. This is important to reflect on. Eisnitz doesn’t offer an explanation. When we consider the reasons the policy continues, we could reflect on whether or not the company position reflects ignorance or manipulation. On the one hand, the company could do this because the executives lack a scientific background. They believe in their own position out of arrogance and because they fear the knowledge of those less powerful than themselves. On the other hand, they could have this position because they’re manipulating workers and critics. In reality, they use the idea of the myth to hide their real economic motive.