Is it time you turned in to a vegan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the rapidly emerging dietary and life style concepts today is Veganism. And probably, you already knew something about it. People all over the world, especially animal and nature lovers, are practicing it and are actively involved in spreading the vegan culture. So what’s all this fuss about being a Vegan and what should you know about it, and above all the pertinent question of whether you should become one too? Let’s search for some answers.

The term ‘Vegan’ was originally coined by Donald Watson when he co-founded the Vegan society in England in 1944. It was originally to mean vegetarian with the additional abstinence from all dairy related products, but went on to encompass abstinence from all animal related products such as leather, silk and wool, to name a few. The main doctrine to be advocated was to reject the commodity status of animals and thus put an end to their excessive and unjust exploitation. The British vegetarian society, (of which Mahatma Gandhi was an executive committee member when he lived in London from 1888 to 1891), during the 1930’s and early 40s had many members requesting for a new section to be devoted to non-dairy vegetarianism. When the request was turned down, Watson who was then the secretary of the Leicester Vegetarian Society, went on to co-found the Vegan society in 1944 with 6 other members. Support came from many quarters including the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw, and the society published newsletters that included recipes, health news and a list of everyday products that can be classified as ‘Vegan’ such as Colgate toothpaste, Kiwi shoe polish and Gloy glue. 

In a conference held in 1947, Watson famously announced "the vegan society renounces it as superstitious that human life depends upon the exploitation of these creatures whose feelings are much the same as our own ...”

Facts that support the inherent vegetarian nature of humans

Many well established biologists and anthropologists have argued for years that humans as a race are herbivores by nature and are not well suited for eating flesh or meat. Also, modern humans do not share with the carnivores species of this planet, the physical characteristics as well as the instinct to kill animals and consume their raw flesh.  In support of their case, the human anatomy itself is more akin to that of a herbivore or plant-eater rather than a carnivore, wouldn’t you say?

Take for instance, our teeth structure; we don’t see the presence of any canine teeth that is essential for the tearing up and eating of flesh. Rather, our teeth structure and formations resemble a cow’s, albeit on a smaller scale. And we also lack sharp edged claws, a definitive requirement for hunting.

Carnivorous animals have extremely acidic stomach juices that can break down flesh and kill the numerous harmful bacteria present, which might otherwise sicken them. And this enables them to swallow their food wholly. On the other hand our own stomach acids are much weaker in comparison and are not suited to break down and digest flesh.  

Carnivores have short intestinal tracts and colons through which the consumed meat can pass through quickly and come out as excreta, before it can rot and cause illness. Whereas human intestinal tracts are much longer, to allow more time for the breaking down of fiber and absorption of nutrients from a plant based diet. In the case of a meat based diet, the lengthier tracts translate in to more time for the bacteria present in the meat to multiply and cause food poisoning. Meat also tends to rot during its passage through the human intestines resulting in the risk of colon cancer.

Physiology apart, psychologically too we are repulsive to the bloody and cruel notion of killing animals ourselves and eating them.

On the other hand, there are numerous health benefits from being a vegan, according to scientists. Practicing veganism can provide on the long term, benefits such as a reduced risk of conditions like type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

The above mentioned scientific facts do present a very strong case against the butchering of animals and consumption of the same. Gandhi had famously advocated that a meat free diet should be promoted among the society, primarily as a matter of ethics and not for health related reasons alone. There is also this famous Christian preaching – which is also found elsewhere, 'we become what we eat'.

Apart from consumption of meat, other excessive but much conveniently overlooked forms of cruelty meted out to helpless animals (that do not have the power to defend themselves) include, the leather industry and Silk production which is more common in eastern cultures. In the former, animals are butchered for their hide which is then used as fashion statements across the world. In the latter, millions of silkworms are killed by being thrown in to boiling water. How could a civilized society overlook the simple but powerful fact that there is so much merciless killing and suffering behind these vain extravaganzas of vanity? How can we pretend to be responsible inhabitants of this planet, talking about global warming and other issues, but without caring for a moment the state and well being of our co-inhabitants? Ones that do not have the power of speech to express their helplessness and suffering at the hands of the more civilized beings that dominate this planet? If we humans still follow the jungle rule of ‘Survival  of the fittest’ wherein the powerful and the mighty –  the absence of claws and fangs more than compensated by mind and modern weapons, enslave the weak and helpless, can we still call ourselves civilized ? I leave it to you for pondering….

 

Vijay Ramalingam