Once again TDB introduces a fascinating question. I can certainly see the point Lyle is making, however, it assumes that any individual pig understands that s/he is part of a planned life and that s/he would prefer an uncomfortable painful life because s/he knows it helps his species. I don’t think that is really how natural selection works because the cumulative result of each individual’s decisions and choices may or may not lead to success for the species, but each of the decisions is made on a selfish basis, without regard for the species. I think that for this hypothetical pig the choice would be based on an economic basis – which life offers the most comfort to me. I happen to think that humane farming can be a very decent life for an animal, but if they knew what was waiting for even the well-treated beasts at the end, would they prefer freedom? It’s hard to say. Such an interesting question though.
‘Sigh’.