Note from the Coordinators

Since 97 percent of North Americans eat animal products, becoming vegetarian means having to think beyond what is commonly accepted as being true. Therefore, it's interesting that, in the vegetarian, animal rights, and environmental movements, it's politically incorrect to express certain opinions. To have less strife in the world, people need to be able to feel safe discussing conflicting viewpoints in a non-adversarial way.

We read the following statement by Professor Lee Silver in the May/June, 2006, issue of the New York Academy of Sciences' magazine, Update: “The advantages of genetically engineered vegetative meat are numerous and diverse. Without farm animals, there could be no suffering from inhumane husbandry conditions and no pollution from manure. Since the sun's rays would be used directly by the plant to make meat, without an inefficient animals intermediate, far less energy, land, and other resources would be required to feed people... This categorical rejection of all GM (genetically modified) technologies is based on a religious faith in the beneficence of nature and her processes under all circumstances, even when science and rationality indicate otherwise.” Are organic and non-GMO foods always the best? What's your opinion? What are vegetarians thinking? Can you give your opinion in a way that doesn't attack others?

According to the Nutrition Business Review, a “What's In Store” survey of consumer shopping habits commissioned by ConAgra Foods, Inc., revealed that 95 percent of Americans said they would consider quality symbols, seals, and trust marks when food shopping. In this issue of Vegetarian Journal, Jeanne Yacoubou addresses the issue of various certifications for eggs. Though there are improvements, chickens now may only have a space measuring 1 foot x 1 foot (a little larger than this page) up to 1 foot x 1 1/2 feet, and the male chicks are still killed.

Debra was honored to receive a “Let's all keep agitating” note from Colman McCarthy, along with a copy of his “Cruelty-Free Eating” article in the National Catholic Reporter. Mr. McCarthy was a writer for The Washington Post and is director of the Center for Teaching Peace. We thought it was worth repeating a paragraph he wrote in his publication, Peace Times.

“The world has enough brainy people but not enough caring people. It has plenty of talkers but few doers. Students leave school either self-centered or other-centered. Character isn't shaped by the ability to ace tests; it's shaped by seeing an injustice and then putting full effort into finding a solution.”

Thank you to Colman for sharing these wise words, and a big thanks to our members who are not blind to injustice and each day work on finding solutions.