The New York Times several weeks ago announced a contest inviting readers to make, in 600 words or less, the strongest ethical case for the meat they eat.  Judging the contest was a panel of judges–Mark Bittman, Jonathan Safran Foer, Andrew Light, Michael Pollan and Peter Sing–whom are all strong critics of either meat production, consumption or modern agriculture.

The winning essay, by Jay Bost, a professor at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina, begins, “as a vegetarian who returned to meat-eating, I find the question ‘Is meat-eating ethical?’ one that is in my head and heart constantly. The reasons I became a vegetarian, then a vegan and then again a conscientious meat-eater were all ethical.”

Read the essay here.