For 3 years I've been actively participating in events linked to Effective Altruism, always with enormous enthusiasm, commitment and from a deeply professional perspective. Therefore, after reading the PETA report and reflecting on the arguments raised in this letter, I must say that it has generated a deep surprise and, above all, sadness.
It's difficult for me to understand that such important spaces within Effective Altruism can provide promotion and even economic support to initiatives focused on "cage-free" systems, when there is evidence that indicates that these alternatives aren't necessarily positive for hens or chickens and that, in certain aspects, even aggravate their situation. To this, of course, are added the environmental and health impacts that we cannot ignore either.
Precisely because Effective Altruism invites us to think in terms of impact, evidence and real consequences, I think we've the responsibility to review our priorities when new information shows us that certain strategies may not be producing the results we expect.
It is not simply a question of making an activity more "humanitarian" whose foundation's still the exploitation of animals. It's about asking ourselves, with honesty and coherence, what changes can really understand the most defenseless of this system.
With the information we've available today, we must act consistently. It isn't enough to "improve" the conditions of the farms if we continue to support a system that needs to breed and exploit billions of animals.
The challenge should be much deeper: reduce - to eradicate - our dependence on livestock and actively accompany the transition to a food system that's ethical, healthy, sustainable.
We're human people who have the ability to change and I think that should be, precisely, the essence of evidence-based thinking: having the humility to review our strategies, recognizing when something does not work as we expected and directing our resources towards what can generate the greatest possible positive impact.
If we really have the tools to build a better future, we also have the responsibility to use them!
For 3 years I've been actively participating in events linked to Effective Altruism, always with enormous enthusiasm, commitment and from a deeply professional perspective. Therefore, after reading the PETA report and reflecting on the arguments raised in this letter, I must say that it has generated a deep surprise and, above all, sadness.
It's difficult for me to understand that such important spaces within Effective Altruism can provide promotion and even economic support to initiatives focused on "cage-free" systems, when there is evidence that indicates that these alternatives aren't necessarily positive for hens or chickens and that, in certain aspects, even aggravate their situation. To this, of course, are added the environmental and health impacts that we cannot ignore either.
Precisely because Effective Altruism invites us to think in terms of impact, evidence and real consequences, I think we've the responsibility to review our priorities when new information shows us that certain strategies may not be producing the results we expect.
It is not simply a question of making an activity more "humanitarian" whose foundation's still the exploitation of animals. It's about asking ourselves, with honesty and coherence, what changes can really understand the most defenseless of this system.
With the information we've available today, we must act consistently. It isn't enough to "improve" the conditions of the farms if we continue to support a system that needs to breed and exploit billions of animals.
The challenge should be much deeper: reduce - to eradicate - our dependence on livestock and actively accompany the transition to a food system that's ethical, healthy, sustainable.
We're human people who have the ability to change and I think that should be, precisely, the essence of evidence-based thinking: having the humility to review our strategies, recognizing when something does not work as we expected and directing our resources towards what can generate the greatest possible positive impact.
If we really have the tools to build a better future, we also have the responsibility to use them!