* Veganism - beyond food
Veganism - beyond food
by Mervyn Carter
September 2007
We are all committed to a vegan lifestyle, mindful of the benefits to our health, to the environment and to the suffering of animals. To achieve congruence in all of these areas it is natural that we should extend our veganism beyond the purchase of food, to encompass the other areas of our lives.
There are no hard and fast views on such issues, so each of us must make up our own minds as to where we draw our lines. However, it may be advisable to consider the extent to which the use of animal-based products individually contribute to the problems that concern us. This may reflect both the suffering caused to animals in the production of the materials in question, together with the quantity that is used.
In our public witness towards veganism, we must be aware of how our policies are perceived by other people. Focussing on very small- scale issues (for example, the fact that ballpoint pen ink is thickened using animal-based materials) may leave less well -informed members of the public with the impression that all vegans are nit-picking and fanatical.
Substances derived from animals can be found in many areas of our lives. Some are obvious, such as clothing and footwear, while others may be harder to see. The excellent book 'Animal-free shopper', published by the Vegan Society, is perhaps the best reference work to consult when seeking a vegan alternative to animal-based products. Here are the few suggestions of items that we might wish to consider when we write our shopping lists:
* Medicines and vitamins: some liquid medicines are thickened using animal-based products. Some tablets used milk-based materials as binders. Many capsules are made with gelatine coatings.
* Toiletries: some soaps, shampoos, shower gels and similar materials are manufactured or thickened using animal-based substances. Condoms and their lubricants often use milk products or other animal- based ingredients. (The Vegan Society web-site has many recommendations for suppliers of alternatives.)
* Household: Some bedlinen may contain woollen fibres, as can carpets and wall-hangings. Household cleaners and bleaches may be thickened using animal products, or maybe tested by horrible experiments on animals. Some DIY materials, including paints, glues and paintbrushes, use animal-based materials. Some candles and aromatic oils may incorporate animal fats or animal-derived fragrances.
In the opinion of some animal rights activists, the possession of pets represents an exploitative relationship with the animals involved. Many popular species of domestic pets are also fed on animal-derived pet foods. Perhaps one should also consider the environmental cost of keeping animals in our domestic lives.
In the end, the extent to which we can refocus our lives to minimise our support for the animal exploitation industries will depend upon the extent to which we can deprive them of revenue. When we choose where we do our shopping, we can try to choose organisations that have little or no involvement in animal exploitation. In general, this will mean trying to avoid supermarkets and other large enterprises. Let us try to purchase as much as we can from small local shops, farmers’ markets and specialist individual healthfood stores. When it comes to the purchase of clothing, we might consider purchasing second-hand items from charity shops, but be aware that some charity shops support organisations which are involved in animal testing or vivisection.
Let us not forget that the animal exploitation industries are always hungry for investments. We must think carefully about how we invest our savings. It is entirely possible to find ethically-screened investment alternatives. Qualified professional advice should be sought in order to ensure that an adequate return is obtained and that the risks are minimised.
If we really want to seek a long-term end to the exploitation of animals, we must also try to bring other people on board. We must make a point of telling our friends and associates about our views on animal rights issues. We must try to stress the positive side of veganism in terms of health, wealth and the environment. Do not condemn other people for making their own decisions. Each of us comes to veganism through our own progressive path. Try to figure out what will help other people to change in the direction of a vegan lifestyle. Ask them what issues would influence their decision and help them to see the benefits of moving in the vegan direction, even if they are not ready to take up a full vegan stance at this point in their lives.
Useful websites:
www.vegansociety.org.uk
www.veganvillage.co.uk/
www.vegan.org/
www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/
www.isitvegan.info/
www.ethicalinvestors.co.uk/
www.xessentials.co.uk/Vegan (a good range of vegan condoms)
This article is based on the discussion led by MC at our July meeting.
by Mervyn Carter
September 2007
We are all committed to a vegan lifestyle, mindful of the benefits to our health, to the environment and to the suffering of animals. To achieve congruence in all of these areas it is natural that we should extend our veganism beyond the purchase of food, to encompass the other areas of our lives.
There are no hard and fast views on such issues, so each of us must make up our own minds as to where we draw our lines. However, it may be advisable to consider the extent to which the use of animal-based products individually contribute to the problems that concern us. This may reflect both the suffering caused to animals in the production of the materials in question, together with the quantity that is used.
In our public witness towards veganism, we must be aware of how our policies are perceived by other people. Focussing on very small- scale issues (for example, the fact that ballpoint pen ink is thickened using animal-based materials) may leave less well -informed members of the public with the impression that all vegans are nit-picking and fanatical.
Substances derived from animals can be found in many areas of our lives. Some are obvious, such as clothing and footwear, while others may be harder to see. The excellent book 'Animal-free shopper', published by the Vegan Society, is perhaps the best reference work to consult when seeking a vegan alternative to animal-based products. Here are the few suggestions of items that we might wish to consider when we write our shopping lists:
* Medicines and vitamins: some liquid medicines are thickened using animal-based products. Some tablets used milk-based materials as binders. Many capsules are made with gelatine coatings.
* Toiletries: some soaps, shampoos, shower gels and similar materials are manufactured or thickened using animal-based substances. Condoms and their lubricants often use milk products or other animal- based ingredients. (The Vegan Society web-site has many recommendations for suppliers of alternatives.)
* Household: Some bedlinen may contain woollen fibres, as can carpets and wall-hangings. Household cleaners and bleaches may be thickened using animal products, or maybe tested by horrible experiments on animals. Some DIY materials, including paints, glues and paintbrushes, use animal-based materials. Some candles and aromatic oils may incorporate animal fats or animal-derived fragrances.
In the opinion of some animal rights activists, the possession of pets represents an exploitative relationship with the animals involved. Many popular species of domestic pets are also fed on animal-derived pet foods. Perhaps one should also consider the environmental cost of keeping animals in our domestic lives.
In the end, the extent to which we can refocus our lives to minimise our support for the animal exploitation industries will depend upon the extent to which we can deprive them of revenue. When we choose where we do our shopping, we can try to choose organisations that have little or no involvement in animal exploitation. In general, this will mean trying to avoid supermarkets and other large enterprises. Let us try to purchase as much as we can from small local shops, farmers’ markets and specialist individual healthfood stores. When it comes to the purchase of clothing, we might consider purchasing second-hand items from charity shops, but be aware that some charity shops support organisations which are involved in animal testing or vivisection.
Let us not forget that the animal exploitation industries are always hungry for investments. We must think carefully about how we invest our savings. It is entirely possible to find ethically-screened investment alternatives. Qualified professional advice should be sought in order to ensure that an adequate return is obtained and that the risks are minimised.
If we really want to seek a long-term end to the exploitation of animals, we must also try to bring other people on board. We must make a point of telling our friends and associates about our views on animal rights issues. We must try to stress the positive side of veganism in terms of health, wealth and the environment. Do not condemn other people for making their own decisions. Each of us comes to veganism through our own progressive path. Try to figure out what will help other people to change in the direction of a vegan lifestyle. Ask them what issues would influence their decision and help them to see the benefits of moving in the vegan direction, even if they are not ready to take up a full vegan stance at this point in their lives.
Useful websites:
www.vegansociety.org.uk
www.veganvillage.co.uk/
www.vegan.org/
www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/
www.isitvegan.info/
www.ethicalinvestors.co.uk/
www.xessentials.co.uk/Vegan (a good range of vegan condoms)
This article is based on the discussion led by MC at our July meeting.