Fake Human Flesh

Posted on 2002/06/10 24:54:23 (June 2002) by john.

Here's an odd one.

This stems from a conversation I was having last night in the pub with my younger brother, who is very possibly far better informed in the ways of philosophy and social sciences than I. Anyway, it relates to me not eating meat. I was trying to determine if the act of eating meat substitutes (Quorn, Linda McCartney and the like) was in some way immoral. I'm vegetarian for totally moral reasons, and I became vegetarian around the age of 18 or 19, having grown up eating meat, and really enjoying it, although still always quietly thinking it was wrong. I don't very often have "synthetic meat" (for want of a better phrase), but now and again I do, and find that I actually quite enjoy these meat substitutes. Now, is that bad? Certainly, no animal has to die for it, and Quorn products are also now clearly labelled (in the ingredients list) that they use free range eggs. So, in simple terms of the ingredients there isn't anything I would have any objection to eating. But could the simple fact that it is simulating something that I do think is immoral make it bad? Or should we not look at it as something a bit like chicken, but simply a totally independant foodstuff in its own right? The trouble is, it's a little difficult to assess for the average individual, because of the ambiguous moral standpoint people have on eating meat in the first place.

So I often in this type of situation find it useful to look for an analogy. The one I came up with probably didn't really clarify the issue, but it was interesting in itself. If a product was launched that was totally artificial (derived from soya, or mushrooms or something) but was packaged as artifical human flesh, would it be wrong to eat that? As far as I'm aware, the majority of the human race currently regards cannabalism is something of a taboo. However, consuming a completely artificial product that is just supposed to taste like human flesh isn't actually cannabalism, is it? It was an interesting point, as one might assume it would be banned before ever going on sale, but under what law? Certainly there is censorship for film, television and the media in general. But is there any kind of equivalent for the food industry? Of course, an important question people would be asking is how would you know it tasted like human flesh? Clearly no cannabalism could legally take place during the R&D phase of this product... but there are people alive today in various parts of the world, who in dire times have been driven to cannabalism. Allegedly this took place in rare incidents in certain parts of Russia during the collapse of communism. Could they define the taste from memory? Would that be illegal, immoral (or make you fat)?

Well in the end, I decided fake human flesh, although perhaps an interesting social experiment in some ways, probably wasn't a good idea. It wouldn't be of any real benefit to society, apart from perhaps to better understand the way people approach moral issues, and without really being able to pinpoint exactly why, it would probably upset a lot of people. Still though, the issue is much broader in a sense. Is simulating something immoral acceptable? Is it a valid way of preventing it? Should violent criminals be allowed to vent their frustration via virtual reality? Should drug addicts really be given substitute drugs?

As for whether or not it's OK to eat Quorn and so on I'm still a little undecided. Clearly, I refuse to accept any criticism from meat-eaters on the issue, who don't really have a leg to stand on. I've yet to meet a vegetarian who is very strongly against the idea though. Still, for me anyway, it's an interesting point.

Hi John

You worry too much mate. There's no meat in it, so who cares whether its pretending to be meat or not? If you like it, eat it!

alex

Posted by alex at 2002/06/10 13:51:38.

Hmmm, maybe. Well, it did seem interesting at the time (down the pub) though.

Posted by john at 2002/06/10 14:00:01.

Johnny boy, I would never criticise you for eating Quorn. I reckon the reason you don't eat meat has nothing to do with taste, it's all morale issues.

If no animals had to die to make your Quorn and Obergine salad, then your morales are quite definitely in tact. Anyone who suggests otherwise is probably trying to cover up their own morale complexes.

The University has been able to make all sort of food taste like shit and I eat it, but this does mean I spend my evenings fishing around in the bowl for a log.

I have to admit, an interesting point indeed.

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/06/10 18:58:46.

I laughed out loud at your comment when I read it (the bit about university food). Marvellous Rob, marvellous!

Posted by john at 2002/06/11 09:30:22.

I think I managed to find a place where analogies live in harmony with the English language.

Posted by Rob Lang at 2002/06/11 13:38:10.

well i think they should just sell real human meat! i'd buy it stop me wanting to go out kill people for it!! i wonder if different race people taste different? i'd buy a sweeney todd pie if they were in the super market and i bet alot of people would even if it was a subtitute to human meat. it might get banned quick but it'll just go underground than and whoever gets round to acually doing it (if they will) will be a very rich person!!

Posted by bbwolf at 2006/11/08 20:43:31.

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