However, the generally concept of defending vulnerable animals -- absolutely. If I felt informed of the repercussions of my actions I'd prevent harm. Woudn't you?

I wouldn't. Imagine a snake attacking a mouse. If you save the mouse, what good are you doing? Now, the snake hasn't eaten anything and could potentially die because of it. I prefer to not intervene in natural selection, especially if it puts myself at risk.

Because it causes harm to someone who does not consent and for absolutely no good reason.

Like I said, the animal I'm eating would do the same to another animal without caring. Why does the animal deserve my compassion? Just because it doesn't understand its actions the same way we do, doesn't mean it deserves anything from me. Furthermore, it is for good reason, so my body can get the energy it needs and for my own health.

This is where I get frustrated that I linked you to an entire wikipedia article in order to disabuse you of this fallacy and yet you are undeterred. You don't even change your argument to address the fact that this is well documented fallacy. But, ok, deep breaths.

You're right, I didn't read the page you linked me. I already know what appeal to nature is and I think either I'm not being clear or you're not understanding what I was trying to say.

What I meant is that humans have eaten meat for a long time. Our bodies have adapted to our diet. I'm not saying we should eat meat because it is natural, I'm saying it's how we've evolved and it is healthy for us. In fact, one of the factors leading to the evolution of our brains is the nutrition gained from cooked meat. If it weren't for meat, we may not even be these "moral agents" you're talking about and cutting out meat entirely will have evolutionary side effects.

http://www.npr.org/2010/08/02/128849908/food-for-thought-meat-based-diet-made-us-smarter

Humans are not carnivores by any stretch. We are omnivores, which means we can get nutrients from plants or meat.

You're right. I'm by no means an expert, the point I was trying to make was that we have historically been eating meat for millions of years and our bodies are adapted for it.

Are you seeing squirrels and chasing them down?

Eating is one of the more basic human instincts. Just because it is our instinct, doesn't mean our brain shuts off every time we see food. I believe what you said would be considered a slippery slope fallacy?

Anyways, I would like to thank you for actually answering my original questions. I was really just looking to know more about veganism and see what you guys thought about it as, like I said, I'm not entirely educated about the subject and couldn't find much information about the specifics of the questions I asked.