In response to your discussions in the Paterno Fellows Forum, please post a response of 250-500 words to one of the following questions. In order to facilitate discussion, please reply to the post that elaborates on the individual question your group answered:

1) What responsibility do government, industry, and individuals have to address the problem of obesity in the Unites States, and what should they do? (Paul Thompson, MSU)

2) Under what conditions, if any, should we eat “animals”? (Donald Thompson, PSU)

3) Should we strive to buy foods that are grown locally and, if so, to what extent? (Bryan McDonald, PSU)

4) Do we have a responsibility to explore who benefits and who is harmed by the food we eat, and if so what should we do? (Susan Squier, PSU)            

5) Should corporations patent seeds they develop in their research? (Leland Glenna, PSU)


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2 Responses to Key Issues in Food Ethics: A Paterno Fellows Forum

  1. Mark Fisher says:

    I am posting this at the request of Marina Stinely:

    Question 4: Do we have a responsibility to explore who benefits and who is harmed by the production of the food we eat and, if so, what should each of us do?

    Our group felt that this question was one of the most important. We believe that it is crucial for consumers to know where there food comes from and how it is produced. For this, we had to look at the question from a deontological point of view, where it is the duty of the consumer to make sure that their foods are produced ethically. We think that people should become informed on how animals are treated and slaughtered, and the working conditions of the laborers. With this information, then we all can make more informed purchasing decisions. In addition, we discussed how some people may not be able to afford to purchase foods that are ethically produced. In this case we think that the community should work together to help inform the public about ethical foods and in doing so the demand for these products would increase, decreasing the costs for everyone. Overall, we decided that we do have a responsibility to explore the benefits and harms to food production and we all should research the origins of our food so that we can live in an ethically sustainable world.

    Group Members: Marina Stinely (recorder), Robert O’Riley (speaker), Jocelin Linares, Becky McAlary, Giselle, Delgado, Ilana Shtivelman

  2. GAVIN CHRISTOPHER GODBOLT says:

    Our group chose to discuss the responsibility of government, industry, and individuals in adressing the problem of obesity. The group discussed the government and/or industry limiting food portions in restaurants, but decided against it, because they felt it was too inasive and would hurt potential income for food producers. Another thing discussed was a change in public school lunch and breakfast programs set in place by the government to promote healthier menus and portion sizes. This would also include a revamping of the health and physical education system. Since the government requires these classes already, we felt that it is their responsibility to keep the classes at high standards. Lastly, we agreed that it lays with the people to keep the food industry accountable for supplying cheaper, healthier food to keep obesity low and to educate their children about eating healthy to avoid the consequences of obesity and a poor diet.

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