We are hypocrites to criticize the Japanese people for there hunting of dolphins.

"Obviously the killing of these dolphins is horrific but I very much doubt that it exceeds the practices of some slaughterhouses in inhumanity. .. " First, I would like to address this first point. There is one major difference between the slaughtering of animals, such as cows, or hunting of dolphins. The big difference between killing dolphins and cattle for human consumption is that cattle are raised and "produced," while dolphins are taken from their habitat. [1] My opponent may argue we hunt the majority of fish from their natural habitat or other marine life. However, judging the amount or the ability to breed, have low production rates and maintain the balance of oceans. Dolphins are a necessity. "This relies on the idea that it is humane to kill something which is stunned, it may be more humane but any killing (with the possible exception of euthanasia) be it of a human or animal is not humane and there is no real way to get around this. " I do not agree with this comment, as humane can be defined as involving minimal pain: done without inflicting any more pain than is necessary. [2] According to this definition, stunning is humane. "Correct me if I"m wrong but the dolphins slaughtered are bottlenose dolphins. .. " According to my source, there are more species than bottlenose dolphins that are captured and killed. This includes striped, spotted, and risso's dolphins along with the the bottlenose dolphins. [3] In addition, I would like to source my argumentation about the mercury levels. [4] The levels are over 5,000 times the advised limit from Japan. Thee public is being wrongfully informed about these risks, which I will cover in the next few paragraphs. "There are health risks involved when anything is eaten, a large percentage of the western world is overweight [8] this is primarily from overconsumption of meat [9]. I would argue that anyone should be able to put anything into their bodies so long as they haven"t been coerced and they know the risks. " I agree there is a large percentage of overweight western people. However, there are restrictions and certain procedures in making sure the food is safe. I do agree we should be able to eat whatever they wish. However, we can not assume everyone is aware of the risks. The irony is that whale meat is marketed in Japan as a health food, distributed for school lunches and even for medical benefit. [5] It is being sold for health purposes when it is clearly putting people in danger from the high levels of mercury. Japan is not rightfully informing the public. Mercury has no value to the body and is a poison. Mercury exposure can produce serious effects on the nervous system including psychotic reactions, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies and delirium. Continued exposure can produce violent muscular spasms and even death. When it enters the body, it is stored in the kidneys, blood, spleen, brain, liver, bones and fatty tissues. [6] It can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. It is unhealthy especially for pregnant or nursing women. Exposure to mercury has been attributed to an increase in neural tube defects. [7] Furthermore, I would like to add dolphin behavior, as dolphins can communicate with one another to coordinate their behavior. Other studies reveal that these marine mammals can plan ahead and problem-solve in ways few other animals can. [8] Dolphins have a strong capability other animals do not have. Dolphin meat is toxic with startling levels of mercury. It is wrongly advertised as a health food, when the sources I have provided information of countless studies that have proved otherwise. Dolphin hunting is different than the killing of animals, like cows, as cows are raised for the consumer while dolphins are killed inhumanely in their natural habitat. [1] . http://www.worldcrunch.com... [2] . http://ilarjournal.oxfordjournals.org... [3] . http://us.whales.org... [4] . http://www.eurocbc.org... . http://www.thecovemovie.com... [5]. http://www.smh.com.au... [6] . http://www.globalhealingcenter.com... [7] . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov... [8] . http://www.pbs.org...