Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights

Once you recognize non-human animals as beings with their own inherent interests, it's difficult to reconcile that with their use for the gain of others. Some people manage to do so by accepting what they regard as less harmful uses (less inhumane farming methods, or vegetarians eating animal reproductive byproducts but not flesh) but the basic argument behind veganism is that the primary method of impacting animal welfare and promoting animal rights available to the vast majority of us is to avoid the use of animals for human purposes.

edit: However, people who are neither vegan nor vegetarian are welcome to post about animal rights issues in this group.