Bioethical Analysis of the Socio-Environmental Conflicts of a Pig Industry on a Chilean Rural Community

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments to the Authors

 

The current manuscript provides detailed information on the severe environmental damage, highlighted by air and water pollution caused by waste and emissions from pig farms and health and socio-economic repercussions in the Maule Region's rural localities. The objective of this study was to analyze the bioethical aspects of ongoing environmental conflicts at an industrial pig farm in the Maule Region's rural localities. The authors have done a commendable job of substantiating their claims with appropriate methodology. Such an approach, in comparison to a conventional review, is much more reliable, as it involves extracting and accurately analyzing information from the literature. 

Author Response

Thank you for your positive comments on our manuscript. We are pleased that you found our methodology appropriate and reliable. We appreciate your recognition of the comprehensive and precise approach we used to analyze the environmental damage and socioeconomic impacts of pig farms in the Maule Region. We remain committed to quality and rigor in our future research.

Sincerely,

corresponding author

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Based on sustainable development, from the perspectives of law and law enforcement, pig farm environment on physical and mental health and economic consequences, the data fully discusses the current situation of environmental protection in Chile and put forward countermeasures.

 

The article mentioned the lack of research in universities and research institutions, I think it is not a problem of researchers, teachers can carry out environmental protection education, research funds should be led by the government, the profit in Chinese animal husbandry enterprises is not high, the government uses taxes to lead environmental protection public welfare undertakings, will be effective. Otherwise, it is easy to cause the objection's inaction.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

I apologize for not sending my complete response in the previous review. Below, I respond to the comments you made to us. In addition, I provide the new version of the manuscript with the corrections incorporated.

We have improved the writing in several sections of the manuscript and agree with your emphasis on the role of the state in enforcing and complying with the law. However, we wanted to highlight the necessity of scientific research in this area, considering that it has not been sufficiently developed. Additionally, we focused on the Chilean context and did not consider China's policies as an example. Instead, we used European regulations and companies as references. Nonetheless, we emphasize that the main conflict in the Chilean reality is related to non-compliance with regulations and the disregard for the well-being and quality of life of the people who lived in the affected community prior to the industrial pig farm's establishment.

We appreciate your constructive feedback and suggestions.

Sincerely,
Corresponding Author

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In the abstract, may you have to insert more details about the environmental issues that correlate with health problems.

Line 36, may you have to add a suitable reference here after the word “environment”

Line 62, these gases (CH4) may also contribute to the greenhouse gasses emission.

May the methods part have to be more clarified and more details with years are needed to be added such as the legal components of the conflict.

Line 312, please replace “damage” with other suitable word.   

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English language seems good.

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your valuable comments on our manuscript. We have reviewed your observations and made the following improvements:

Abstract: We have inserted more details about the environmental issues that correlate with health problems.
Line 36: We have added a suitable reference after the word "environment."
Line 62: We have noted that methane (CH4) also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Methods: We have clarified this section and added more details, including the legal components of the conflict with specific years.
Line 312: We replaced the word "damage" with a more suitable term.
We appreciate your constructive feedback and hope these revisions meet your expectations. Please find the revised manuscript attached for your review.

Sincerely,
Corresponding Author

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Bioethical Analysis of the Socio-Environmental Conflicts of a Pig Industry on a Chilean Rural Community.

Manuscript ID: sustainability-3042302

 

Summary

The objective of the study described in this manuscript was to analyse from a bioethical perspective the situation of an active socio-environmental conflict of an industrial pig farm and the repercussions on psychological, physical, economic and social well-being reported in different rural localities, backed by documented studies.

General comments

While both the large environmental impact and the human and nonhuman health effects of pig farms are well known, this manuscript is intended more as a denunciation of unheard complaints than as a qualitative study per se. However, it is understood that this is neither a review nor meta-analysis nor original research, but rather a perspective. Therefore, the comments are more focused on the structure of the manuscript. A detailed revision of the wording is suggested, although there are few points that cause confusion when reading the document. There is no uniformity with proper names, since in some lines they are translated, but later they are used as they are in Spanish. Although it is not necessary to translate them, it is important to maintain consistency throughout the document.

Specific comments

161. Is the question mark after "mandatory" correct? If you want to express doubt, there are other, more formal means.

218. There is no need for translation of proper names.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Although it is not necessary to translate them, it is important to maintain consistency throughout the document.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your detailed feedback and valuable suggestions on our manuscript. We have carefully reviewed your comments and made the following revisions to improve the manuscript:

1. General Comments: We have conducted a detailed revision of the wording to enhance clarity and coherence. We have ensured uniformity in the use of proper names, maintaining consistency throughout the document without unnecessary translations.

2. Specific Comments:

   Line 161: We have revised the punctuation after "mandatory" to improve readability.
   Line 218: We have removed the unnecessary translation of proper names.

   We appreciate your constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in refining our manuscript. Please find the revised version of the manuscript attached for your review.

   Thank you once again for your insightful comments.

   Best regards,

Corresponding Author

Attachments:

Revised Manuscript