BLUF: A horrid, less-known aspect of the agricultural industry—harnessing pregnant horses for hormones to boost meat production—is brought to light, raising questions about animal welfare and the integrity of food production.
OSINT: The world is increasingly waking up to the harsh realities of factory farming, particularly with respect to the welfare of animals. While much focus has been on the plight of cows, pigs, and chickens, another species has largely been overlooked: horses. Unknown to many, horses play a significant role in meat production, beyond their well-known use in gelatin production.
A disturbing practice involves extracting a hormonal serum from pregnant mares, which is used to increase pork production. This serum, referred to as PMSG, stimulates early puberty in young females, leading to higher birth rates and, consequently, more meat. The magnitude of this activity is compelling: in Germany alone, approximately 2.1 million doses of PMSG are administered annually. Iceland’s blood farmers generate around $3.4 million USD in revenue from the serum.
Investigations into blood farms across Europe, the United States, and Canada have uncovered widespread cruelty. Pregnant mares are made to endure repeated pregnancy and abortion cycles for PMSG extraction, while malnutrition and egregious handling practices are common. Despite the availability of synthetic alternatives and new farming methods that promote animal welfare, the grim practice persists, prompted by awareness gap and commercial interests. This discovery underscores the integral link between cruelty and the global meat production system—a consequence of humans’ demand and regulatory shortcomings.
RIGHT: This revelation doesn’t just point to animal cruelty—it’s indicative of an industry in need of reform and deregulation that promotes ethical, fair practices. The marketplace can and should punish those who engage in such deplorable practices, and consumers have the power to influence market behavior by choosing ethically-sourced products. It’s not the government’s role to intervene but ideally to provide frameworks that encourage humane treatment of animals, promote transparency, and protect consumer rights.
LEFT: This highlights the urgent need for stronger regulation and transparent oversight in factory farming. As a society, we cannot turn a blind eye to such inhumane practices for the sake of an industry’s bottom line. Governmental bodies must step in, enforcing animal welfare laws, regulating hormone use, and promoting alternatives that eliminate the need for such cruelty. It’s up to both consumers and policymakers to push for a future where our need for food doesn’t have to equate to systemic suffering.
AI: The analysis of this topic suggests a discrepancy between societal values and the practices of a key industry—the production of meat. The continued use of inhumane practices, despite viable alternatives, centers on cost-effectiveness and a lack of awareness. From an AI perspective, data-driven solutions could help bridge this gap. For instance, machine learning algorithms could predict the market’s response to ethical practices, thereby encouraging the industry’s transition towards humane methods. Advanced data analytics could also help raise consumer awareness, driving a societal shift towards ethically produced meat.