[Velez-mitchell:] In the spotlight tonight, global swine flu cases on the rise. U.S. officials say the virus still on an upswing, with 286 U.S. cases confirmed across 36 states. The fact remains: we do not know where this virus originated. The virus is believed to have passed through pigs before it got to humans. But what pigs, and where? The pork industry argues no link. We wanted to debate all these issues today, but one of our guests, the dean of agriculture at Iowa State University, canceled. She is welcome anytime to present her side. Joining me, Jane Garrison, an animal welfare advocate, and Dr. Michael Greger, the director of public health and animal agriculture for the Humane Society of the United States. Dr. Greger, since we don`t know where this virus came from, why do you believe we need to take a fresh look at conditions on industrial pig farms?
[Michael Greger, Humane Society:] The genetic fingerprint of this virus was finally just published, and the CDC confirmed that the main ancestor of the current viral threat was this triple hybrid mutant virus that arose on factory farms in the United States more than ten years ago. Since affected 90 percent of the pig herds in Kansas, Oklahoma, 100 percent of pig herds in Iowa and Illinois. This is not the first virus to emerge from factory farms. Unless we start giving these animals a little more breathing room, it may not be the last.
[Velez-mitchell:] OK. And once again, the pig industry says there is no link. And this is something that scientists are investigating to try to find out where this all started. Now, I can tell you the Pew Commission entered the debate last year with a report that said factory farms pose unacceptable risks to public health. Seems like these pig gestation crates are a reality on factory farms. Thousands upon thousands of pigs never see the sky, touch a blade of grass, living in spaces so small they`re barely able to move. They can`t turn around or scratch themselves. Jane, you helped get these crates banned in California. It`s being phased in over the next couple of years. When you look at these shocking images, what do you say to those on the other side of this debate who say this is a perfectly, perfectly acceptable way to raise pigs?
[Jane Garrison, Animal Welfare Advocate:] Well, we wouldn`t force our pets to live in filthy, cramped cages for their entire lives, and we shouldn`t force farm animals to endure such misery either. If you made treated your dog like this for one day, you`d be facing animal cruelty charges. But sadly animals on factory farms, they have absolutely no legal protection from abuse. And all animals, including those raised for food, deserve to be treated humanely.
[Velez-mitchell:] Dr. Greger, when an animal can`t turn around and let`s talk a little bit about the I.Q. of a pig. Is it equivalent or even higher of than a dog? What happens to this animal, psychologically, and how does that affect their immune system?
[Greger:] These animals are as smart, as smart as your dog that you have at home. And it`s the stress that drives these animals essentially crazy. And it`s the stress that can decrease their immune system. And in fact, indeed, the Pew Commission on farm animal industrial farm animal production including the U.S. secretary of agriculture, unacceptable public health risks. We need to follow the advice of public health officials and say no more factory farms. However cheap the meat, Jane, it`s just not worth the risk.
[Velez-mitchell:] And why is it that nobody else is talking about this? Ten seconds, Jane Garrison.
[Garrison:] Well, the pork industry is really worried about their profits. They`re not worried about giving these animals more space, to see sunshine, to feel grass under their feet. There`s a reason that 70 percent of the antibiotics used in our country are pumped into animals to keep them alive in these miserable, horrific conditions.
[Velez-mitchell:] We`ve got to leave it right there. Thank you. We`d like to get the other side of the story. You`re welcome to come back from Iowa, anytime, tell your side. Casey Anthony, will she get a fair trial in her home county? Will they have to move it to Miami? We`ll debate it, next.