Nature is Cruel But Humans Don't Have To Be

I saw a wonderful movie, Temple Grandin, about an autistic woman who struggled through her condition to become a notable scientist focusing on humane treatment of cattle in slaughter houses. I highly recommend it.

A phrase that was repeated once or twice in the movie is: "Nature is cruel but humans don't have to be." Ms. Grandin stated this in response to the slaughter house's criticism of her designs as being more expensive that was necessary. But she took the view embodied in her quote. She also said:

"I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we've got to do it right. We've got to give those animals a decent life and we've got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect."

To me that is a great example of human morality. We don't have to act like animals. We can do better!