Oklahoma State University economist Bailey Norwood presented his research on how consumers feel about animal welfare to a joint meeting of animal scientists in Denver in July.
According to Norwood, most U.S. citizens view gestation crates and pens as unethical. Educating consumers by providing objective information makes them oppose these cages more.
One third of Americans believe animals have a soul. More than two thirds “believe that God wants humans to be good stewards of animals, and placing animals in small cages does not constitute good stewardship.”
Only a slight majority of people desire to ban livestock practices they believe unethical, even if products from animals raised in an ethical manner are available to them.