Militant Vegetarianism
These are my counter arguments to a grade 9 student’s views as presented in this article by the Winnipeg Free Press.
Read it here
They argue: * "The prions (a particle in protein) in animal protein also cause Alzheimer's (disease), as well as a multitude of other diseases (i.e. cancer)"
Retort: I can’t begin to tell you what is wrong with this statement. A prion is NOT a particle in protein. A Prion is an abnormally folded protein itself. It is also not solely confined to animal proteins. Any protein can become a prion under the right conditions. Prions have been found in fungi (The protein product of the het-s heterokaryon incompatibility gene of the fungus Podospora anserina behaves as a prion analog. PNAS USA. 1997 Sep 2; 94(18): 9773-8)
Saying that Prions in meat cause Alzheimer’s Disease is just plain bad science, and morally reprehensible to those who suffer from this terrible disease. In Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetics Causes of Alzheimer's Disease", Rudolph Tanzi and Ann Parson, Perseus Press, 2000, the authors state:
“The ultimate cause of Alzheimer's is unknown. Genetic factors are clearly indicated as evidenced by dominant mutations in three different genes have been identified that account for the small number of cases of familial, early-onset AD. For the more common form of late onset AD (LOAD), ApoE is the only clearly established susceptibility gene. All four genes can contain mutations or variants that confer increased risk for AD, but account for only 30% of the genetic picture of AD. These four genes have in common the fact that mutations in each lead to the excessive accumulation in the brain of Aβ, the main component of the senile plaques that litter the brains of AD patients”
Nowhere is the mention of meat eating listed as even a possible cause.
As for Cancer, here is a list of the diseases caused by Prions in Human beings:
o Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and its varieties: iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD), variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (fCJD), and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD)
o Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS)
o Fatal familial insomnia (fFI)
o Sporadic fatal insomnia (sFI)
o Kuru
o Alpers syndrome
Not one of these diseases is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth which is characteristic of Cancer. These diseases have the characteristic of turning a brain into swiss cheese which is not pleasant, but not Cancer.
They argue: "It is perfectly legal to sell an animal with cancerous lesions and gangrene as food. Countries who eat the most fish have the highest counts of stomach cancer."
I am not sure about the first argument, but it sounds suspicious. The second argument is the worst example of fallacy I have ever seen. It is statistically and scientifically proven that CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION. It is true that SE Asia does have the highest incidence of stomach cancer (http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/stomach/incidence/), however to say that is because they eat the most fish is bad science unless it is backed up by experimentation. There are so many lurking variables here (Uhhh I don’t know…Genetics maybe?) that I do not want to get into it. However if they are allowed to argue like that I can blame the increase in C02 emissions on the absence of cod-pieces. Check it out, the amount of CO2 increase is directly proportional to the decrease in the wearing of crotch guarding cod-pieces.
They argue: “"Arteries are clogged by the intake of fat, causing heart attack and hurray hurrah!! IMPOTENCE!!!”
Absurd! Vegetables also have fat. I can eat 1 cup of chopped up boneless skinless chicken breast cooked up dry on my Foreman for 5.0 g of fat. 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil used to cook up a vegetable stir-fry has 13.6 g of fat (calorie-count.com). Those delicious trans-fats that everyone considers satan these days come from….partially hydrogenated PLANT oils. Refined sugar and massively high amounts of high fructose corn syrup and other delicious uber-carbs along with smoking, are to blame for blocked arteries. As for impotence, I would have a hard time getting an erection too if I was constantly harassed with bogus statistics from ill informed, sanctimonious, fear mongers.
They argue: "Femail (sic) hormones induced in the animals are linked to high counts of violence, depression, premature sexual development, anger, man boobs (moobs, if you will, which allow males to contract breast cancer), and rape, all from activating our primal instincts."
It is good to know that sexism isn’t just a male, sorry, mail phenomenon. I don’t even want to argue about taking “man” and “male” out of English words, as this is just too ridiculous. Human beings have 2 sexes, male and female, A and B, Bob and Judy, whatever you want to call them, get over it. It is Testosterone, not Estrogen that can cause the above listed conditions they claim. I think your delicious vegetarian French fries cooked in palm oil can give man boobs just as easily as a piece of meat. As for blaming rape on meat…that is a terrific stretch, especially when they are claiming that it is Estrogen being injected into the animals. If anything more estrogen and less testosterone would reduce a male sex drive.
They argue: "Obesity is an international (U.S. and Canada) crisis, which is primarily (ah who we kidding??), which animal product consumption is to blame."
The causes of obesity in Canada and the US are as follows :
1.) An increasingly sedentary lifestyle
2.) Over reliance on vehicles
3.) TOO MUCH REFINED SUGAR - Candies, snacks, cola drinks, etc.
4.) Huge portion sizes - Restaurant meals are way larger than a normal meal
5.) The good foods are much more expensive than the unhealthy ones.
Obesity is also not only an omnivore’s problem, I have met some 300+ lb vegetarians.
The Amino Acids that you take in from breaking down the protein in meat are used for anabolic build up of your muscles. If you don’t use them, they are simply excreted in the urine. Amino Acids are NOT converted into fat by the body.
They argue: "Lips, snouts, eyes, intestinal linings, spinal cords, and brain stems are used in mainstream hotdog brands."
So what? I like snouts.
They argue: "Alcoholism has been linked to animal product assimilation, and has been treated with a vegetarian diet."
Take a freakin’ statistics course! Again and again, CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION. Although in this case, this is just a brash and ridiculous argument. The amount of lurking variables around what causes a person to drink are so vast…Do you maybe think that psychology more than diet effects alcoholism? Social situation, problems at work??? No?
If you are going to go around and cause trouble in public schools you should at least do some research instead of regurgitating PETA’s poorly put together, insulting, and outright fallacious arguments against meat. If you want to protect animals join the ASPCA, not PETA. PETA Euthanizes a lot of animals, and is a strong proponent of euthanizing animals instead of supporting and caring for them in no-kill shelters. Ingrid Newkirk the founder of PETA used to sneak into work at the pound early to kill the animals. Think of that the next time you want to act accuse me of murder. I eat to live. What is the purpose of executing 1000s of dogs and cats, instead of supporting them for a few years until they can find loving homes?
I am not opposed to vegetarians, but please, keep your beliefs to yourself. I have the right to eat what I want, and so do you. Quit being a militant troublemaker for the sake of being a militant trouble maker.
-S-
Read it here
They argue: * "The prions (a particle in protein) in animal protein also cause Alzheimer's (disease), as well as a multitude of other diseases (i.e. cancer)"
Retort: I can’t begin to tell you what is wrong with this statement. A prion is NOT a particle in protein. A Prion is an abnormally folded protein itself. It is also not solely confined to animal proteins. Any protein can become a prion under the right conditions. Prions have been found in fungi (The protein product of the het-s heterokaryon incompatibility gene of the fungus Podospora anserina behaves as a prion analog. PNAS USA. 1997 Sep 2; 94(18): 9773-8)
Saying that Prions in meat cause Alzheimer’s Disease is just plain bad science, and morally reprehensible to those who suffer from this terrible disease. In Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetics Causes of Alzheimer's Disease", Rudolph Tanzi and Ann Parson, Perseus Press, 2000, the authors state:
“The ultimate cause of Alzheimer's is unknown. Genetic factors are clearly indicated as evidenced by dominant mutations in three different genes have been identified that account for the small number of cases of familial, early-onset AD. For the more common form of late onset AD (LOAD), ApoE is the only clearly established susceptibility gene. All four genes can contain mutations or variants that confer increased risk for AD, but account for only 30% of the genetic picture of AD. These four genes have in common the fact that mutations in each lead to the excessive accumulation in the brain of Aβ, the main component of the senile plaques that litter the brains of AD patients”
Nowhere is the mention of meat eating listed as even a possible cause.
As for Cancer, here is a list of the diseases caused by Prions in Human beings:
o Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and its varieties: iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD), variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (fCJD), and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD)
o Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS)
o Fatal familial insomnia (fFI)
o Sporadic fatal insomnia (sFI)
o Kuru
o Alpers syndrome
Not one of these diseases is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth which is characteristic of Cancer. These diseases have the characteristic of turning a brain into swiss cheese which is not pleasant, but not Cancer.
They argue: "It is perfectly legal to sell an animal with cancerous lesions and gangrene as food. Countries who eat the most fish have the highest counts of stomach cancer."
I am not sure about the first argument, but it sounds suspicious. The second argument is the worst example of fallacy I have ever seen. It is statistically and scientifically proven that CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION. It is true that SE Asia does have the highest incidence of stomach cancer (http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/stomach/incidence/), however to say that is because they eat the most fish is bad science unless it is backed up by experimentation. There are so many lurking variables here (Uhhh I don’t know…Genetics maybe?) that I do not want to get into it. However if they are allowed to argue like that I can blame the increase in C02 emissions on the absence of cod-pieces. Check it out, the amount of CO2 increase is directly proportional to the decrease in the wearing of crotch guarding cod-pieces.
They argue: “"Arteries are clogged by the intake of fat, causing heart attack and hurray hurrah!! IMPOTENCE!!!”
Absurd! Vegetables also have fat. I can eat 1 cup of chopped up boneless skinless chicken breast cooked up dry on my Foreman for 5.0 g of fat. 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil used to cook up a vegetable stir-fry has 13.6 g of fat (calorie-count.com). Those delicious trans-fats that everyone considers satan these days come from….partially hydrogenated PLANT oils. Refined sugar and massively high amounts of high fructose corn syrup and other delicious uber-carbs along with smoking, are to blame for blocked arteries. As for impotence, I would have a hard time getting an erection too if I was constantly harassed with bogus statistics from ill informed, sanctimonious, fear mongers.
They argue: "Femail (sic) hormones induced in the animals are linked to high counts of violence, depression, premature sexual development, anger, man boobs (moobs, if you will, which allow males to contract breast cancer), and rape, all from activating our primal instincts."
It is good to know that sexism isn’t just a male, sorry, mail phenomenon. I don’t even want to argue about taking “man” and “male” out of English words, as this is just too ridiculous. Human beings have 2 sexes, male and female, A and B, Bob and Judy, whatever you want to call them, get over it. It is Testosterone, not Estrogen that can cause the above listed conditions they claim. I think your delicious vegetarian French fries cooked in palm oil can give man boobs just as easily as a piece of meat. As for blaming rape on meat…that is a terrific stretch, especially when they are claiming that it is Estrogen being injected into the animals. If anything more estrogen and less testosterone would reduce a male sex drive.
They argue: "Obesity is an international (U.S. and Canada) crisis, which is primarily (ah who we kidding??), which animal product consumption is to blame."
The causes of obesity in Canada and the US are as follows :
1.) An increasingly sedentary lifestyle
2.) Over reliance on vehicles
3.) TOO MUCH REFINED SUGAR - Candies, snacks, cola drinks, etc.
4.) Huge portion sizes - Restaurant meals are way larger than a normal meal
5.) The good foods are much more expensive than the unhealthy ones.
Obesity is also not only an omnivore’s problem, I have met some 300+ lb vegetarians.
The Amino Acids that you take in from breaking down the protein in meat are used for anabolic build up of your muscles. If you don’t use them, they are simply excreted in the urine. Amino Acids are NOT converted into fat by the body.
They argue: "Lips, snouts, eyes, intestinal linings, spinal cords, and brain stems are used in mainstream hotdog brands."
So what? I like snouts.
They argue: "Alcoholism has been linked to animal product assimilation, and has been treated with a vegetarian diet."
Take a freakin’ statistics course! Again and again, CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION. Although in this case, this is just a brash and ridiculous argument. The amount of lurking variables around what causes a person to drink are so vast…Do you maybe think that psychology more than diet effects alcoholism? Social situation, problems at work??? No?
If you are going to go around and cause trouble in public schools you should at least do some research instead of regurgitating PETA’s poorly put together, insulting, and outright fallacious arguments against meat. If you want to protect animals join the ASPCA, not PETA. PETA Euthanizes a lot of animals, and is a strong proponent of euthanizing animals instead of supporting and caring for them in no-kill shelters. Ingrid Newkirk the founder of PETA used to sneak into work at the pound early to kill the animals. Think of that the next time you want to act accuse me of murder. I eat to live. What is the purpose of executing 1000s of dogs and cats, instead of supporting them for a few years until they can find loving homes?
I am not opposed to vegetarians, but please, keep your beliefs to yourself. I have the right to eat what I want, and so do you. Quit being a militant troublemaker for the sake of being a militant trouble maker.
-S-