It’s almost ten months now since we went vegan for ethical/moral reasons.
Our choice has nothing to do with the concept of “animal rights” and everything to do with “animal welfare”. We refuse to cooperate with the appalling ways in which farm animals are raised and butchered, simply so the big agricultural corporates can increase their profits. If it’s something we wouldn’t have done to our cats and dogs, then it shouldn’t be done to other animals either.
Dairy products can be even worse than actual meat when it comes to the amount of suffering involved in production. Just look at the latest report about Willet Factory (if you can stomach it – and if you can’t, how can you stomach the produce?).
With that in mind, I sometimes wonder about why nobody produces human milk dairy products. After all, it’s bound to be better suited to our systems, health-wise and there’s a better chance of ethical production, as the women can actually have a say about this. Also, there would be no need for tail docking, de-horning and the rest of these evil practices. Not to mention, no males will have to be castrated with no anesthesia – I hope.
Well, maybe it is happening.
Chef Daniel Angerer has Mommy milk cheese offered in his restaurant!
I think it’s an awesome idea. Not for its culinary value, which apparently was the motivator in this case, but because it may just make more people consider the source of milk and what it means.
So, how about you? Would you consider human milk dairy products? Do you find it appealing, disgusting, or just weird?
on Mar 8th, 2010 at 6:16 am
As of right now, I think I’ll pass
I enjoy my cow milk. I’m not a farmer but I grew up somewhat in the country and the time spent on farms didn’t give me the impression that the cows were at all being harme. Of course that’s not the case everywhere, unfortunately. Money matters too much for many people that deals with animals.
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IsraeliMom Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I think it’s also a matter of being used to seeing their suffering to the extent that it doesn’t register as suffering anymore.
For example, in the farms in the area where you grew up, did they separate calves from their mothers around birth time? did they de-horn (with no anesthesia?) did they brand (again, no anesthesia)? did they castrate male calves with no anesthesia?
If the answer is negative to all the above, let me know where you grew up, so I can go over there and have a glass of milk – if their humane practices are still adhered to.
on Mar 9th, 2010 at 2:38 am
Yes I would try it. But since it is much lower in calcium and protein I can’t see it being a good replacement for the bovine variety. I definitely don’t find it disgusting, after all I lived off of it for a fraction of my life. I don’t find it appealing. Weird? Well I guess that would depend on the production(milking) process : )
IsraeliMom Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
As far as I know, the bovine kind has its own health issues, as many humans can’t digest it properly, thus not making the most of its high calcium content. I’m not an expert, but I suspect human milk is more suited, well, for humans!
on Mar 9th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Maybe you meant it a little differently than it reads since most people would not kill and eat their pets, so you wouldn’t eat meat no matter how the animal was treated prior to slaughter. As for human milk products, weird sums it up nicely, and no I wouldn’t try them.
IsraeliMom Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Well, maybe it’s a personal matter, but I am not averse to the idea of people feeding on cats and dogs, other than the issue with the appalling way in which these animals are raised and slaughtered in those regions of the world where they are eaten.
So, yes, I did actually mean I expect similar standards to both farm animals and pets
Not that I would ever eat a cat or a dog myself, but I can see how some people would and it would be as ethical as eating animals that are labeled as farm animals in Western societies.
on Mar 9th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I wrote a post earlier today on Chef Angerer’s “mother’s milk” cheese, based on a write-up from one of the local NYC papers. It’s important to note that the cheese he’s making has to utilize cow’s milk as well, since the low protein content in human breast milk doesn’t allow for proper curdling. It should also be noted that they’re now looking at producing a breast-milk gelato as well.
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IsraeliMom Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
For me, the important thing is in bringing up the topic. Good distinction though! And I enjoyed that sketch lol
on Mar 10th, 2010 at 2:27 am
l already know that humans don’t necessarily need to eat dairy but still l am not really ready to become a vegan yet. l am only 14 years old so l am actually limited on this stuff……..thanks
on Mar 10th, 2010 at 6:39 am
hi, human breast milk refers to the milk produced by a mother to feed her baby. It provides the primary source of nutrition for newborns before they are able to eat and digest other foods; older infants and toddlers may continue to be breastfed. Remarkably, the immunological properties of breast milk benefit humans at any age. Human milk has even been used in some cases to treat various illnesses in adults. Its a very good article, looking forward to read more post.
IsraeliMom Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Since this comment is just quoting wikipedia, I can only assume it’s somewhat clever comment spam meant to build links to your domain (which I edited out now).
on Mar 12th, 2010 at 12:17 am
I wouldn’t be against human milk but there would be an “ick” factor to get over first. Which is odd considering we have no trouble drinking milk from other animals. I’m curious to see how it might be produced. When I was breast feeding I felt like a cow being milked. I had to use a pump and it was just humiliating at times, depending on where I was when I needed to pump. I still hear that noise in my head.
Interesting idea, and one that should be explored because I agree that the lactose intolerance issues might be a moot point if we drank human milk.
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on Mar 12th, 2010 at 11:39 am
It would have a weird factor, but only at first. Yep, I would not be opposed. As many, I would have to wonder how this is produced. I didn’t breast feed and don’t have much knowledge in this area, but, correct me if I am wrong and ignorant here, don’t you have to have a baby to produce milk? If so then that raises more questions…
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on Mar 14th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
peace and love for israelimom
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