Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify killing them for food

Re:Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify ... by divbit on Saturday July 29, 2017 @05:03PM (#14882995)

I know this sounds selfish, but I sometimes wonder if it would be possible to genetically engineer a pig to stay a cute young piglet for it's entire life, rather than turning into a large, hungry adult pig. In this way, pigs could be companion animals, rather than food animals, and I haven't thought through all the angles, but if I was a pig, it seems that would sound be more appealing for sure. (Compare below images:

http://beavercreekfarm.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Charlot...

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/disney/images/b/bb/Free_... )

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Re:Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify ... by koala_man on Saturday July 29, 2017 @05:26PM (#14883068)

Well, we /did/ turn wolves into Pomeranians.

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Re:Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify ... by unclenoriega on Saturday July 29, 2017 @09:37PM (#14883946)

The neoteny is real.

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Re:Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify ... by belorn on Saturday July 29, 2017 @05:34PM (#14883104)

Maybe a bit ironic in this case but that first image is of a adult mini pig which is general seen as a companion animal and not a farm animal that is used for food.

Also, those pigs just love being scratched behind the ear. My family had one when I was growing up, and they are quite nicer and more friendly than piglets for regular domestic pigs (which we also had).

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Re:Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify ... by stevep98 on Saturday July 29, 2017 @05:26PM (#14883069)

You could say the same about dogs and cats. Wouldn't everyone love it if their puppy or kitten would stay cute forever.

But then again, if you've somehow invented a way for animals to stay looking young forever, 7 billion humans might want a word with you...

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Re:Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify ... by jstanley on Saturday July 29, 2017 @05:10PM (#14883024)

I don't see anything wrong with the first picture. It's gruff, but it's not repulsive.

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Re:Pigs are smart and sensitive, yet we continue to justify ... by Drakim on Saturday July 29, 2017 @05:13PM (#14883032)

Even if we ignore appearances, at some point there is just a max size convenience limit to house pets.

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