Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Gobfather is surely rolling over in its grave after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals pitched a new flavor you can’t refuse: the all-too-homemade taste of breast milk.
In a Half Baked scheme to alert the public to the wonders of human milk, PETA sent a letter to ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s on Sept. 23 asking it to switch from cow’s milk to breast milk.
PETA argued that although the public might find consuming breast milk “strange,” it was even stranger that humans are the only creatures that drink the milk of another creature.
After realizing that human beings have much higher levels of cognition than other creatures, PETA decided logic and reason were “strange” as well, and promptly gave them up.
In response to PETA’s self-described “fabulously awesome” idea, Ben & Jerry’s issued a statement saying, “We believe a mother’s milk is best used for her child.” It then considered bringing the flavor Bovinity Dovinity out of retirement, just for kicks.
PETA isn’t the only one thinking that breast is best. In September, authorities stopped Hans Lochen, head chef of Storchen restaurant in Iberg, Switzerland, from serving dishes that contained breast milk.
Lochen, who sampled his dishes to unsuspecting friends, said that he didn’t understand why everyone was upset and that breast milk was “the most natural thing in the world.”
The chef claimed he merely wanted to help local young mothers make an extra buck — make that about $20 a liter. The international publicity that his stunt garnered was just icing on his mother’s milk cake, which his friends said was delicious.
Cow’s milk has its fair share of problems. As PETA pointed out in its letter, it is technically not natural for human beings to consume milk. But over time, our genes have adapted to allow continued digestion of lactose after childhood.
Add to that the horrible conditions that the average dairy cow lives in, the assortment of disgusting extras not listed on milk’s ingredients (should pus be listed before or after trace antibiotics?) and suspected links to various health problems. And then cow’s milk doesn’t look so pure innocent white anymore.
But no matter how bad cow’s milk gets, breast milk as a commodity is still Totally Nuts. Unless, of course, we’re living in some sci-fi horror story where PETA rules the earth and hooks thousands of meat-eating, fur-coat-wearing women up to breast pumps just to prove a point.
Until then, I’ll dig into a pint of Imagined Whirled Peace.
— McConnell is a Dallas junior in English.
Gross: Good alternatives to dairy milk exist
While much milk containing chemicals, there are other options.
Schumaker: Please don’t yell at me for ...
PETA's intentions may be good, but their approach is laughable.
Udder confusion
McConnell: Fish-eaters should stay alert
Is that salmon on your plate a delicious menu item, or an ...
Drink This: Milk Alternatives
Four options for the lactose intolerant, or lactose uninterested.
McConnell: Kansans entitled to know what’s floating ...
People should know if their milk contains bovine growth hormone.
Got milk?
The Milk Mustache Campaign hopes to increase calcium awareness in students’ diets.
Lactation stations aid mothers on campus
The University of Kansas offers new moms the opportunity to either nurse ...
McConnell: Why the U.S. meat industry hasn’t ...
A new meat market
Animals could become obsolete in meat production.
McConnell: Times are bad when a half ...
McConnell: How corn infiltrated the entire food ...
Cadets reflect on ROTC Championship
The Univesity of Kansas didn’t come away emptied handed during the Final ...
Food Review
As the days get longer and temperatures inch up the thermostat, a ...
Creative crock pot
McConnell: Pristine produce raises concerns
Vegetables without signs of rot may hide darker secrets.
Williams: Don’t let stereotypes make up your ...
We should avoid making assumptions based on appearances.
Good for you/bad for you: soup
Eat this: Nutella Dip
Food should be fun.
Gadget of the Week: Euphori-Lock
McConnell: Increasing obesity — in moderation
Kansan Departments
Your guide to surviving the week.
Morning Brew: National Champion of coffee
The United States Barista Championship is organized every year to find the ...
Events support breast cancer awareness
Two softball players whose mothers battled the disease will participate in Saturday’s ...
Viva Vegetarian!
Campus offers a variety of options for vegetarians and vegans
Eat This: Cafe Beautiful Sushi
A beautiful dining experience with some great sushi.
Cook it
El Mezcal cheese dip
Mustaches promote milk-drinking
Student Health Services offered free milk and milk mustaches to students Tuesday ...
Tailgating recipe of the week: potato soup
If you're looking for something to bring to the tailgate, we've got ...
Soy: superfood or super health risk?
Could the vitamin-packed, once-touted bean actually be hurting your health?
Letter to the Editor: Shed light on ...
Students should be aware of treatment of animals.
Scott: Talent only so valuable
For Washington and Miami, talent only gets you so far.
Food Review
Ice Cream
McConnell: For students with allergies, peanuts scare ...
The recent salmonella scare gives insight into the lives of peanuts allergy ...
Breaking up with bread and cheese
My struggle with gluten and lactose intolerance.
Holidays bring tiny confections to Lawrence
Several Lawrence outlets are preparing bit-sized deserts with lower calorie counts.
Seasonal sipping
How to winterize your liquor cabinet.
Students lead climate change advocacy
College students and groups, including at KU, are taking action regarding climate ...
Pope & Snyder: It’s all about maintaining ...
The guys muse about relationships.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
McConnell: When breast isn't the best
God gave man(and woman) animals for their use - the world was created for us - so - I'd be hating God if i didn't enjoy my cows milk ice cream -
McConnell: When breast isn't the best
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
McConnell: When breast isn't the best
"the site staff" apparently has a problem with boobies also. I'm playing the sexism card.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID