Recently came across a video by Freele about SuperMeat. A company that prides itself in creating meat by extracting stem cells from chicken. Growing it in culture and therefore creating meat without the murder of animals unnecessarily. Sounds good right? I think the idea behind it is well justified. It helps to reduce climate change drastically whilst appeasing the "delicate" taste buds of the "meat connoisseurs" of the world I felt the video (although catchy) provided some information to catch my eye and so decided to dive a bit deeper into this. I felt I had more questions to ask. How do they extract the stem cells? Is it under anaesthetic? What is the process after they have extracted the stem cells? What do they grow the tissue culture in? Are there any toxins? So as anyone who has questions would rightly do. I went to the horses mouth (so to speak) and I contacted Super Meat via their website that directed me to their Facebook chat. My messages are in blue. I felt that my questions were fairly civil and to the point. But I got the vibe straight away that I was an inconvenience and that they didn't want to answer my questions. Purely because all the messages were short and succinct. Now it may be possible that they receive tonnes of messages that they need to reply to efficiently. But I knew I was within my right to ask what would be going into this as its gonna be a good product and we all have a right to know what we're gonna be consuming. When I asked "how do we know for sure that they aren't in pain?" I was opening the floor for discussion about what methods they use to ensure the chicken doesn't feel any pain. I wouldn't mind at all if they gave me a more in depth idea justifying how it is less invasive. I know with my patients. If they ask me what the procedure they're gonna get is like and ask for more information. I explain to them as best I can what happens. I'd then follow this up with some written information. From this perspective, I didn't feel this was good customer service. However to be honest. It could well be that the person wasn't familiar with the procedure at all. I must add that not all my patients find the procedure painful. Some of them describe it as a minor discomfort. Some of them are in agony and require pain relief, more sedation. But all agree that it can be slightly painful. I also felt that the sentence "Look, it is what it is, we try and be transparent about our process" without following it up with more information; isn't actually transparent. Now, they are right, it is less invasive than simply chopping off a chickens head. However it isn't too hard to provide me with more information on the business, ethos, process, etc. That's what customer support are supposed to do. This was all written text, so it is hard to gauge on the tone of the conversation. But to me, it felt like someone didn't want to be accommodating at all. So I was honest with this individual and tried to let them know in a diplomatic manner that I didn't feel I was getting enough information from the short and snappy answers. It felt like drawing blood from a stone. I felt like this all was far too vague to nearly be a real thing. They weren't even pointing me in the direction of these academic articles either. There were no more communications after this on their part. No "Thankyou for your query." No "I hope I was of some help today" Nothing. Zip. Nada. Well let's take a look at the FAQ on their website... If I'm honest. Although it sounds ideal and less invasive than the brutal murder of harmless animals. (although I would question that further if they'd be more "transparent") The human race has time and time again proven that we are so selfish and only care about money.
If this takes off, (despite being told that one chicken's stem cells can feed the world) Humans will take complete advantage of this new technology and the animals with it. Who knows for sure what new ways we will find to torture these animals? I'm very sceptical of this new idea. Purely because I don't trust humans on a global scale with their intentions when money comes into the equation. I also know plenty of meat eaters who would much rather eat "organic, authentic meat" instead of this "laboratory meat" Therefore, without proper openness and honesty between business and client I'm afraid I don't support "super meat".
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Quick disclaimer. I do not want to fall out with anyone. But merely giving my perspective on this issue. I'm very open to opinions and criticism. I have to admit, I'm very disappointed with the way some vegans on youtube are expressing their "joy" at the recent death of matador Victor Barrio, who was gouged to death by the bull that he was fighting. Some youtubers are calling this an "act of divine intervention", "karma" etc. If you haven't heard this story click below Victor Barrio was 29 years old matador and was the first person in 30 years to be killed by a bull during one of these fights. One of the most traumatic things about this whole ordeal is that it was publicly broadcasted on live TV. Here are my thoughts. I do not condone violence, of any kind, towards any being. I do not agree with bull fighting, I do not agree with it because I find it unnecessarily cruel to exploit animals for our entertainment, using their life at our disposal. I see the pain in each bulls eyes as it is stabbed by a matador. And as a compassionate person I feel instant empathy and heartbreak looking into the pain in another beings eyes. I will also add that the sorts of people that support these kinds of events only care about the money they've invested into a bet and claim that it is all about "tradition". These people don't care about the welfare of the animals and can behave in violent ways when people like activists "interfere" with the bull fight. See below This tells you basically everything you need to know about these kinds of people. To be honest I don't care if I sound like I'm making a generalizing sweep. It's a violent game that attracts violent people only interested in money. You can't say you love animals and are a compassionate person if you support this kind of atrocity. HOWEVER... I do not share the views of some fellow vegans in that "this guy is a scumbag and deserved to die. #Karma #HeHadItComing" Like I said before I do not condone bull fighting, but to speak ill of the dead is a horrible thing to do. Shame on you if you think this! This man died as a result of perforation to his thoracic cavity severing his aorta (the main artery that supplies most of your body it's oxygen it needs to live) and inevitably suffered a massive traumatic cardiac arrest at 29 years old. I do not agree with his job or the "tradition" of it. But to wish death upon someone, and not only death but the traumatic and painful death that he experienced is a disgrace. Have you ever watched someone bleed out? Because I have, and let me tell you something for nothing. I would never wish it upon my worst enemy. This whole mindset of "if you cause suffering to animals you don't deserve to live" is absolutely outrageous. Yes, some people are utterly pathetic in that they don't have a compassionate bone in their body and have no regard for the lives of other beings that share this planet with us I will give you that. There are times I find myself questioning if these kinds of people deserve to live if they aren't compassionate at all. But then I remember... I'm not perfect either, and who am I to stand and make a claim that this person deserved to die. Just remember that as a vegan, you once ate meat yourself. You (like myself) probably mocked vegans and how "pathetic and weak" they are. You once were scum of the earth yourself. Do we wish death upon slaughter house workers? Do we wish death upon butchers? Do we wish death upon jockey's? Do we wish death upon the business owners and investors in circuses? If we do, why? Why not just share the vegan love. Why not be as compassionate to other humans as well as other animals. Should we be wishing death upon anyone of any kind of being? Man or animal? Just remember, this man had a family, his widow is now grieving his loss. The way I see it is; if you had Victor's widow standing in front you right this second. Would you honestly tell her to her face that her husband was scum of the earth and deserved to die? If the answer is no, question your mindset. If the answer is yes, then you need to question your mindset. So my thoughts? Bull fighting is a disgusting sport. This death could have been prevented if we as a society didn't endorse this business. Rest in Peach Victor. I've been thinking a lot about some of the comments I see on vegan youtubers channels, a lot of teenagers and kids who want to go vegan but feel that they can't. I've seen a lot of youtubers create videos on this issue, and they are very good. However I feel like there are a few things that haven't been addressed.
Coming from a family that was quite strict (yet very loving might I add) I feel like I have a few things to add to the discussion of how to tell your parents that you want to go vegan. So I have put my thoughts into an ebook that I intend to be free of charge for anyone who might find it useful. The idea is to help you find yourself and also to help you realise that you're parents are human too and humans don't always have the answers and can act out of fear. Which is normally what happens with parents that are strict, although their intentions are good and done to protect their children, it comes from a place of fear and not love. This ebook will offer some suggestions on how to prepare yourself mentally and create a safe space in you before telling your parents. It also will offer some suggestions on how to tell them and in what manner to do so. I also will be offering some ideas on how to handle the situation if it doesn't go according to plan. I have it written I'm just in the process of getting it proof read as I am dyslexic haha! Then I will be looking to publish it within a month. So watch this space! Much love xx |
AuthorI am a 25 year old nurse, who is trying to find herself. This blog will contain epiphanies I have, my yoga progress and other such things. Enjoy. :) Archives
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