Hey vegans what do you think of this?!
Answers: Antivenom is mainly produced now by using horses as a medium. Snakes are miled of their venom and the venom is injected into the horse, where the horse produces antibodies that are harvested for antivenom. How do you feel about this process? Should antivenom be used at all? Should snakes be milked?
tee hee hee! I wonder how many diabetic vegans know that their insulin is derived from animals...
there are several medicines harvested from animals. One can be as careful as possible in choosing not to harm animals. It is almost impossible to avoid all animal products all of the time.
How do you feel about this process? Fine.
Should antivenom be used at all? Yes.
Should snakes be milked? Yes.
Obsseessiooonnn.
Marduk D, I'm sure all diabetic vegans know that their insulin is derived from animals, just as I know the cancer medication I have taken and still take was all tested on, and in some cases derived from animals.
You are suggesting people should allow themselves to die instead?
Being vegan is not about being a martyr, it is about minimising as far as you can your contribution to animal suffering and exploitation. Giving up your own life is not an option, and the people who suggest on here that it is, on a forum they KNOW is read mainly by very young and impressionable people, are beneath contempt. 'Common Sense' himself has stated that I am not a 'proper' vegan for this reason - how low can he sink?
We may wish that medication, including snake bite antidotes, did not involve animals, but they do. Giving up or risking your own life for that reason is not the action of a vegan, it is the action of a lunatic fanatic who sees martyrdom as something to aim for.
I think this question falls into the grey area of medical testing. I'm completely against non-essential animal testing, like cosmetics and that sort of cr*p. But when it comes to medical testing its definitely a conflict of conscience.
I agree with lo_mcg “Being vegan is not about being a martyr, it is about minimising as far as you can your contribution to animal suffering and exploitation.”
I guess in an ideal world, no we would NOT be testing on animals. In reality you have to take a more utilitarian approach and weigh up the benefits vs the disadvantages and aim to minimise harm and maximize good.
Just think of all the lives that have been saved.
The truth is, people are lazy. There are so many alternatives to animal testing and so many tests that are still done that are non-conclusive. We are also still testing for things that we have LONG known the answers to. As far as using animals as mediums, I'm sure there are alternatives. We consider ourselves intelligent beings. Lets put some of that to work. We have come up with so much without having to harm or even involve other living creatures. Who are are to put ourselves so far above others that we don't even concern ourselves with the feelings of these gentle, caring, intelligent beings that also love their babies. They have as much right to a life as we do. By the way, they are not the ones cutting down the rain forrests or putting holes in the ozone layer, ect.
I am a vegetarian, soon to be vegan.
If we absolutely must use things from animals, we must take into consideration the welfare of the animal, and try to make the process as humane, comfortable, and painless for the animal as we can.
I have to go with flex-lo_ on this one. It's OK to exploit animals in certain situations, especially when it comes to ones health.
I've never been bitten by a snake and I don't plan on being around any, so doubt that it is relevant.