Absolutely not.
1) As is our right as those on top of the food chain. Are lions immoral for eating deer? Animals don't really show independent thought or reason. They are not the same as people, and they are not entitled to the human rights of freedom and safety from harm.
2) This is a shame, because I still don't want to cause unnecessary suffering for the animals. But this isn't a problem with eating meat.
3) We can, but they don't taste as good and they make nutrition more difficult.
How do we define consciousness? How about, any animal that builds a pyramid or sends one of its own to the moon gets immunity from being eaten 
To be honest, this is all sounding rather weak. I eat meat because meat tastes good and because I can really feel no sympathy for farm animals who can know nothing beyond barnhouses and slaughter.
(Former) Lead Moderator and (Eternal) VGC Detective 
