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Original poster

Vegan ethics question

57 replies

WindsChange · 12/12/2022 10:13

I don’t know any other vegans in real
life so I’m hoping there are some on here!

I am a fairly strict (but not preachy before anyone starts!) vegan and have been vegetarian my whole life before this.

l am just back from a doctors appointment who has advised me to consume honey for its anti microbial effects for my cough. I am struggling with this one. However, I’ve had this cough for 6 weeks and the other alternative is antibiotics next week if it hasn’t cleared up which is complicated due to an allergy and also they capsules are gelatine which aren’t vegan anyway!

I know medicines are ‘allowed’ under veganism but honey feels more like a food choice.
What would you do? I am torn!

OP posts:

paulmccartneysbagel · 12/12/2022 19:09

purplepencilcase · 12/12/2022 18:22

I honestly cannot get my head around vegans not eating honey and eggs, both a natural byproduct, but filling their boots with soya, almonds, avocados and cashews, which are insanely destructive to the environment.

It spins my head!

Please do read about the lives of egg laying hens. They do not have a happy or comfortable existence.

GeoffWode · 12/12/2022 19:12

ComtesseDeSpair · 12/12/2022 11:12

What’s your reason for avoiding honey, specifically? Would you consider honey from a small, local beekeeper who manages their hives in a way that works in sympathy with the bees rather than commercially produced honey where management techniques might be less bee-friendly?

I'm vegan, and I'd do this.

thankyouforthesun · 12/12/2022 19:24

Personally, I would have the honey in this case. Veganism only ever excludes animal products as far as possible and isn't supposed to be to the detriment of your health. For example, until alternatives exist, most of us will take medicines which have been tested on animals because that's what's available. When we can do better, we will.

Like others, I'd go for local honey from a known beekeeper if possible.

Full disclosure, I'm a vegetarian and I eat eggs. I have chickens, they're pets. Some I hatched myself and some are ex battery rescues. They live their best lives here. I don't buy shop eggs, that's my personal moral line.

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OneFrenchEgg · 12/12/2022 19:26

I don't eat anything that comes from animals really mainly for cruelty or ick. Also no silk or figs. Using up all my old leather and relaxing with non leather (bags / shoes) or giving them away.

MumUndone · 12/12/2022 19:45

Carrots are sentient

WyldeSwan · 12/12/2022 20:03

donquixotedelamancha · 12/12/2022 11:25

Why are you vegan, OP? What makes you eat (for example) carrots but not prawns. Both are sentient but neither are sapient.

If you simply don't like eating sapient organisms then having honey (and prawns) seems a reasonable compromise to me. If you want the strict vegan lifestyle then honey, most soy-sauce, breakfast cereal, most fruit juices and many more are off the table.

Erm, you know Kevin isn't real, right? 🥕

newnamequickly · 12/12/2022 21:19

I was having a conversation about bees and veganism last night with my son.

I only keep cats as pets as they are one of the few pets that actually choose to be a pet. If the cat isn't happy it will find another home. The cat chooses to be your pet. This sits better with me.

My son pointed out that bees do exactly the same. They just leave if they are unhappy. So by this logic, if we take some of their honey and they stay, surely they have consented?

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