Here's a breakdown:
* Veal: Veal refers to the meat from young calves, typically slaughtered between 16 and 20 weeks old.
* Calves: Calves are baby cows.
* "Unborn" calves: In the context of veal production, "unborn calves" would refer to fetuses, and using fetuses for meat is considered unethical and illegal in most countries.
The Ethical Concerns:
* Animal Cruelty: There are serious ethical concerns about raising young calves solely for veal. They are often kept in small, confined spaces with limited movement, and some argue their handling is inhumane.
* Early Slaughter: The slaughter of young calves raises questions about the ethical treatment of animals, as they are not given the chance to develop fully before being killed.
Alternatives:
There are alternative ways to raise calves for meat that address some of the ethical concerns:
* Free-range Veal: Calves are allowed to graze and move freely, with less confinement.
* Older Calves: Some veal production methods use older calves (around 6 months), which are closer to reaching maturity and have a more "meaty" taste.
Overall: While there are strong ethical arguments against veal production, it's important to note that it is a legal practice, and the focus of ethical concerns is on the methods of raising and slaughtering the calves.