Foie Gras: Delicacy or Animal Cruelty?

[lovelyperson]

So I was wondering what are people's thoughts on foie gras. For anyone that doesn't know, it's essentially duck liver that has been fattened to the extent that it is abnormally large; most of the controversy surrounding it is regarding how it's produced. There are (arguably) humane methods to produce it, but by large most foie gras is produced by force feeding ducks through a tube, and regardless of method, the ducks are fattened with the sole purpose of producing the fattened liver, much at their health's determent.

So what are people's thoughts? Should it banned, or should it not be anyone else's concern of what other people eat? And if it should be banned, what about other foods that are produced through inhumane methods (e.g caged eggs)?

[sarangiya]

I do think it is inhumane.
Unfortunately, though, like caged eggs, it is difficult to say that it should be totally banned. Mostly because the market is there so the likelihood of that actually happening is very slim.
On an individual level, I think it is best to avoid purchasing or consuming it.
Maybe better regulations are to be put in place for the treatment of livestock, which is probably the most effective "treatment" to the problem. It is unfortunate that people who do lobby for such things do not get their voices heard as much.

[The Special One]

I see nothing wrong with enacting legislation to make humane methods the only legal method of making it

It may cost more but it's already a delicacy so I can't see people being too fussed about the slightly increased cost.