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RECOMMEND: Speciesism and Language

RECOMMEND: Speciesism and Language

What is discrimination based on species membership?

Excerpt from the book "The Breath of Empathy: Philosophy opf Animal Rights"

Autfor: Maja Vučković, 2017 (Forthcoming)

Fifth Chapter: SPECIESISM AND LANGUAGE

 

Modern society has been unleashing and established an unprecedented exploitation of non-human beings. In general consumers are unaware of what they really consume. Reactions of surprise or disbelief when finding out is generally accompanied by an unwillingness to accept, even the refusal to believe, what many products actually contain. One example, not explicitly presented to the consumer, even though it’s easy to find out everywhere, is the use of carmine colours for various purposes. Present mostly in food, but also in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, despite the fact that it is confirmed to cause severe allergic reactions in some people. A strong, deep red colour, produced from a certain type of insects known as scale insects, by boiling them in water, then treating the solution with aluminium. Sometimes, the production involves using substances from egg white, swim bladder fish, or gelatin (the boiling of skin, bones, hooves, connective tissues, organs and intestines from animals such a cows, chickens, horses and pigs). If you try to find out a little more about these insects, Cochineal and Polish cochineal, in the description of their characteristics, human perspective and one-sidedness will once again prevail, as to their usability to us. Polish cochineal for example, is described merely as an insect formerly used to produce a crimson dye, colloquially known as „Saint John’s blood“, while Cochineal is presented as an insect from which the crimson-coloured dye carmine is derived. These species of insects then, their sole interest to humans, is the red dyestuff extracted from their dead bodies, bearing the same name as the insect itself. An ingredient in many cosmetic products - eyeshadows, pens and lipsticks, commonly used in various food products - juices, candys, ice creams, yogurts etc., but hidden behind codes as C.I. 75470 or E120. These multitude codes, and similar types of labeling, just blur and mask the understanding of what is actually purchased and consumed, taking the burden of guilt away from the customer, and leave even those who are interested to find out in a state of bewilderment.

Another similar example of bizarre exploitation of other living beings can be found in the production of shellac.

It’s an animal product obtained from the resin secreted by the female Kerria lacca, an insect inhabiting the forests of Southeast Asia, belonging to the same family as the Conchineal. When processed it takes the form of small light brown or orange flakes, which is later mixed with other substances to create different colours. Shellac is often used in a wide variety of products, in everything from grinding wheels, electrical insulation, to leather dressings. It can be found in wine, adhesives, sealing wax and dental dentures. Before the arrival of vinyl it was even used to make gramophone records, the so called Shellac 78s. It’s used as a glaze on decorative wood, as top polish of furniture and many music instruments (pianos, guitars, violins etc.). Also, like Conchineal, it’s an active ingredient in many pharmaceutical products - vitamins, pills, food supplements and medicines… In cosmetic products - hairsprays, mascaras, manicure products, parfumes… In the food industry, labeled as E904, it’s commonly used as glaze on candy, coffee beans etc. Also fruits and vegetables are coated with shellac to make them look fresh, shiny and attractive.

When taking the secretion the insects are not separated, nor spared, and during processing the resin is mixed with crushed insects - consequently referred to as „beetlejuice“ by the tablet manufacturing industry. As with carmine, shellac is known to cause allergic reactions and skin irritations, yet still continues to be used in a myriad of products.

These are just some examples how society has created a reality where it is almost impossible to avoid consuming products with animal ingredients. To produce just one pound of carmine requires about 70 000 dead insects, and to produce just 500 grams of shellac involves killing around 100 000 of Kerria lacca insects. (According to an article by Ramesh Singh, Department of Zoology at Udai Pratap Autonomous College in India, 300 000 lac insects are killed for every kilogram of lac resin produced.)

So, the next time you eat certain foods, drink juice, applying lipstick, taking some pill, or vitamin supplement, be aware and bear in mind that it’s glossy and lustrous appearance may in fact stem from insects!

 

Welcome to My Website!

Here you will find a variety of articles on bioethics, aesthetics, ecophilosophy, activism for animal rights and protection, as well as tips for healthy and peaceful life - yoga, veganism etc. Also artistic and decorative items I create, a part of the workshop AHIMSA YOGA & ART
I hope you will find much more than that, an motivation for your activities and personal development in the first place.
Namaste, Maja
 

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