As part of the Contemporary World Science course, students were offered a voluntary assignment: to read the book "Veganism, from Theory to Action" and write a personal opinion. Here is Ismael's work:
Most people don't even consider whether it's ethical to eat meat and other animal products. Those who do tend to use irrational arguments. Rational arguments are based on differences, or apparent differences, with humans, such as the use of tools, the absence of feelings and emotions, self-awareness, the ability to plan for the future, the lack of clear and specific language, the lack of culture, and so on. Even if animals didn't possess any of these qualities, one thing is undeniable: animals have a nervous system and therefore the capacity to suffer.
Hay dos argumentos indiscutibles para ser vegano; que tienen interés en no sufrir y en no ser explotados y que no tienen voz para defenderse. Otro argumento es que los animales no tienen la misma capacidad que nosotros para reflexionar sobre sus actos, tú en cambio si tienes esa capacidad.
Sobre derechos animales cabría remarcar la importancia de pensar en los animales como individuos iguales a ti. Tienen interés en ser libres, en no ser esclavizados, ni explotados.
Most people you talk to about why they're vegan say that achieving complete animal liberation is very difficult. It's true that change can't be that fast, but there can be a progression that involves raising awareness and education, starting with not buying animal products. (…)
My personal opinion is that after reading the book, I've realized it's a very important issue, because these individuals are the most vulnerable of all. Ultimately, I believe it's unethical to consume anything derived from an animal or its exploitation.