In another provocative campaign from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the implied question is asked as to why as older children and adults we consume cow milk but not human milk, when the latter is actually intended for us. As discussed on Eco Child’s Play, PETA wrote a letter to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream suggesting that they replace one with the other. I’m an avid dairy consumer myself, but they bring up an interesting point. My initial reaction was one of mild disgust, but why is it not just as gross to consume the same stuff but from cows? We’re just used to this idea and are brought up to believe that drinking milk made for calfs can be for human consumption as well. Anyway, it’s food for thought (pun intended only retrospectively).
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
I loved this. This exact thinking is what has brought be back to veganism over the years. That, and thinking about applying the process of milking a cow to humans - how traumatizing!
October 14th, 2008
My then 5-year old daughter was completely disgusted upon learning the milk she drank came from cows. It is strange. But I also find breastfeeding a strange concept even after doing it through three kids! Making food for another human being, however ancient, is pretty amazing behavior. That said, my daughter was even more grossed out by seeing people eat starfish and crickets on the streets of Beijing during the Olympics (on tv, not in person!). On another note, can you imagine the assembly line of lactating moms at the Ben and Jerry’s factory?
October 15th, 2008
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